University Police offer safety tips for winter break
URBANA — 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.With fewer people in the area, that also provides criminals with better opportunities to commit their crimes. But there are a few things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of being targeted by an offender. “These are things we want our campus community members to be doing year-round, but the campus environment during the break makes these tips particularly helpful,” said Lt. Joan Fiesta. Travel safely. Driving conditions in the Midwest can deteriorate [...]
Getting to know Det. Eric Stiverson
We had 13 questions for Detective Eric Stiverson in our ongoing series to get to know Division of Public Safety staff: How long have you worked for the Division of Public Safety? Four years. What's a typical day like for you? Every day is pretty much different; however, I do spend a lot of time on the phone, watching security video, and looking for people who don't want to be found. What's your favorite part of your job? What's the worst? Finding people who don't want to be found is my favorite part of my job. The least favorite part [...]
Officers go scruffy for a good cause
URBANA — University of Illinois Police officers and staff are giving new meaning to the term “the fuzz” this month. Officers have once again been given the all-clear to bend the department’s appearance standards for a good cause during No-Shave November. Officers and staff members who donate at least $20 to the American Cancer Society will be allowed to ditch the razor for 30 days during November. The effort raised $400 last year and $555 in 2014. The primary focus of No-Shave November is to promote cancer awareness and to spark meaningful discussions about the disease throughout the campus community [...]
Public safety, city officials engage students at safety forum
CHAMPAIGN — Police chiefs and elected officials from the cities of Champaign and Urbana on Thursday night asked that students and others be actively involved in the safety of the campus community by calling 911 and informing police if they see something suspicious. The campus safety forum at the Student Dining and Residential Programs building at Ikenberry Commons was organized by the Illinois Student Senate following a Sept. 25 shooting on Green Street. Public safety officials reassured students that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus is a safe one, but the September incident is a strong reminder that no [...]
Kirby Avenue closures to affect traffic Oct. 28-29
CHAMPAIGN — Police are asking that drivers plan for a street closure which will affect traffic along Kirby Avenue near Memorial Stadium on Friday and Saturday in advance of the Fighting Illini homecoming football game. To accommodate equipment setup, westbound lanes of Kirby Avenue between Fourth and First streets will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. It is possible, but not anticipated, that the eastbound lanes may need to be closed as well. Beginning at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, both the westbound and eastbound lanes of Kirby Avenue between Fourth and First streets will be [...]