New academy trains social workers and police officers together
URBANA, Illinois – A new program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign trains professionals who work at the intersection of law enforcement and mental health, and the one-week academy may be the first of its kind. Mental health emergencies often prompt community members to call 911 – either because the person experiencing the emergency is at risk of harming themselves or they are creating a public safety hazard. Historically, police officers have been the first responders dispatched to address the 911 call. While some police officers have crisis intervention training, none are mental health professionals or experienced clinicians. That’s why [...]
Fake warrants
A U. of I. student reported that he was scammed out of $2,950. The student received a phone call from a number that appeared to originate from a local police department. The caller said the student was wanted on warrants and needed to pay the caller to avoid arrest. The student complied with instructions to visit a local retail store, purchase gift cards and then give the gift card information to the caller.
Buyer goes missing
The student attempted to sell a $200 computer monitor online. An unknown person who claimed to be interested in the monitor instructed the student to send $100 via an online transaction, and then the unknown person would send back $300. The student sent the money and never heard back from the purported buyer.
University Police hiring unarmed community service officers
URBANA, Illinois – The University of Illinois Police Department soon will begin deploying unarmed community service officers to non-emergency incidents in the campus area, and the department is hiring right now. Four community service officers will be available to respond to less serious calls for service. That should free up sworn officers to do more proactive crime prevention work and help with response times to more serious offenses and crimes in progress. “CSOs will be a great complement to our existing police staffing and enhance our overall service to the campus community,” said Executive Director of Public Safety and University [...]
‘Cherries and Berries’ event rescheduled for May 4
This has been reposted to reflect the updated date and time after the event was rescheduled. The event will happen on May 4. URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Police Department is collaborating with the Illinois Army ROTC, Chez Veterans Center, Urbana Park District and the YMCA to invite community members to family-oriented event to support wounded veterans. The event – called “Cherries and Berries” in reference to the red and blue lights on police cars – will happen from noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign South Quad. Attendees can expect a [...]