UIPD Perspectives: New officer wants to prevent jail time
URBANA, Ill. – University of Illinois Police Officer Danya Brolon’s thinking differs quite a bit from the traditional stereotype of cops who just want to put bad guys in jail. Hers is a perspective that came from a previous job experience, when she spent five years at the Champaign County Jail as a corrections officer. As a corrections officer, “I got to work with a lot of people,” Brolon said. “A lot of good officers and a lot of community members who made me realize that there’s not much difference sometimes between the people who are behind the bars and [...]
Brauer named Emergency Management lead
This week, Brian Brauer started as the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s first Executive Director of Emergency Management. He’s no stranger to campus though – Brauer has served the Illinois Fire Institute for more than 23 years – most recently as its Associate Director. There, he educated and trained firefighters throughout the state of Illinois. He moved to Champaign-Urbana in 1990 to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. For the past two years, Brauer has been an integral part of the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, he co-managed the Campus Emergency Operations Center. He [...]
Police urge precautions as catalytic converters are targeted for theft
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Illinois – Four law enforcement agencies in Champaign-Urbana are urging residents to take precautions after receiving more than 160 separate reports of catalytic converter thefts since the beginning of 2021. The Champaign Police Department, Champaign County Sheriff's Office, Urbana Police Department and University of Illinois Police Department have been working to prevent thefts and hold offenders accountable. Reports are being actively investigated, and officers and deputies are conducting directed patrols to create a visible law enforcement presence in the areas where thefts are known to occur. The thefts reported in Champaign-Urbana have occurred all over Champaign County and at all times [...]
University Police offer safety tips for winter break
URBANA, Illinois — As the school enters its hiatus and many students leave campus, those who stay during the break should take precautions to make sure they stay safe. Campus is no more or less safe during school breaks, but with fewer people in the area, that also provides criminals with more opportunities to commit crimes. There are a few things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by an offender. These are good safety practices throughout the year, but they become even more important during school breaks: Travel safely. Driving conditions in the Midwest can deteriorate [...]
University Police to begin using license plate reader technology
URBANA, Illinois – Five license plate readers will be installed at key locations on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as University Police seek modern solutions to maintain campus safety. The technological tools will complement the ongoing proactive policing and outreach initiatives that University Police have already undertaken – including extra patrols, new security cameras, additional safety education and supportive mental health resources provided through its REACH team, along with other collaborative university initiatives. “Technology like this is a valuable deterrence and enforcement tool, and the license plate readers add another layer of safety to our campus area,” said U. of I. [...]