Safe Haven, other resources available during Child Abuse Prevention Month
URBANA – The University of Illinois Police Department is reminding community members of the resources available in Champaign-Urbana during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse persists in communities across the nation. In 2015, Children’s Advocacy Centers around the country served more than 311,000 child victims of abuse, according to the National Children’s Alliance. In Illinois alone, advocacy centers reported 11,112 victims. Recognizing and reporting child abuse is the first step to preventing further instances. Anyone who notices signs of abuse including unexplained bruises, welts or burns; behavioral extremes; inappropriate or excessive fear; or other indicators; should call 911 or [...]
Local police focusing this week on distracted driving
CHAMPAIGN — In an effort to bring attention to the dangers and consequences associated with distracted driving, local law enforcement agencies including the Champaign and University of Illinois Police departments will participate in Illinois’ Distracted Driving Awareness Week from April 24 to April 28. From using a cellphone, to eating, attending to children in the back seat, or applying makeup – everyone can become sidetracked by a number of things while behind the wheel. This week, local police will be promoting safe driving practices and conducting city- and campus-wide traffic details, with a complete focus on distracted driving. “Champaign-Urbana is well-known [...]
Coroner releases identity of deceased student
URBANA – The Champaign County Coroner on Thursday identified a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student who was found deceased following a fire on campus. Westley Banks, a 21-year-old undergraduate student from Gurnee, Illinois, who was studying Musicology, was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning. According to the coroner’s news release, preliminary investigation suggests that Banks intentionally set fire to himself. At 2:47 a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a 911 call regarding a fire on the rooftop of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana. It is believed that Banks was deceased upon officers’ arrival. Police extinguished [...]
Police, security work to curb theft at campus facilities
CHAMPAIGN – U. of I. Police officers are working proactively with Campus Recreation staff to prevent theft at facilities like the Activities and Recreation Center in Champaign and Campus Recreation Center East in Urbana. Theft is the most commonly reported crime on just about every college campus in the country, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is no exception. Publicly accessible areas – like outdoor fields, libraries and recreation centers – tend to be the most susceptible to theft, particularly if students and others are leaving valuables unattended. During the fall semester in 2016, seven thefts were reported at [...]
Newest UIPD officer graduates from academy
URBANA – The University of Illinois Police Department is congratulating its newest officer, Alex Tran, on his graduation Thursday from the Basic Law Enforcement class at the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. The intensive 12-week class is one of the first required steps to being a police officer in the state of Illinois, introducing new officers to various state laws, investigative techniques, physical skills, community policing and current issues in law enforcement. “We’re thrilled to have Officer Tran on board,” said U. of I. Police Chief Jeff Christensen. “As an Illinois graduate, he is already a part of our campus community [...]