Team-focused detective announced as UIPD’s newest sergeant
URBANA — Detective Gene Moore will start serving the campus community in a new role soon. Police Chief Jeff Christensen has announced that Moore was selected as the University of Illinois Police Department’s newest sergeant. Moore started as a police officer at UIPD in 2001, and has spent the last seven years as a detective. He began his career in law enforcement as a correctional officer at the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. “Throughout his career with UIPD, Detective Moore has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic and dedication to the values of justice, respect, and integrity,” Christensen said. “His work within the [...]
U. of I. Police officers take a plunge for Special Olympics
CHAMPAIGN — Several officers from the University of Illinois Police Department and other members of the Division of Public Safety braved the cold at Memorial Stadium on Saturday to take a plunge for Special Olympics Illinois. Pools of frigid water were set up for the inaugural Fighting Illini Polar Plunge, where students, police and other organizations took a dive to raise money for people with intellectual disabilities. Temperatures were around 40 degrees when participants jumped in — a bit of a reprieve from the subzero temperatures just a day before, but chilly nonetheless. “It was cold, but several of us [...]
No foul play in disappearance of Campustown resident
URBANA — A Campustown resident who went missing on New Year’s Eve was found deceased on Friday in an Urbana park. Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup said Cristian Zamora, 23, of Champaign, was found submerged under the ice at Crystal Lake Park, 206 W. Park St., Urbana. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:55 p.m. Friday. There was no evidence of foul play in Mr. Zamora’s death, which is being investigated by the coroner and Champaign Police. An autopsy conducted Saturday showed no signs of trauma. Final autopsy results were pending Monday as authorities await findings in further [...]
Police urge responsibility on ‘Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day’
https://youtu.be/TnRcsv0uEoQ CHAMPAIGN — Police and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign officials held a joint press conference on Monday to urge responsibility on “Unofficial St. Patrick's Day.” The overwhelming message: Be safe and responsible, and you should not have any problems. That being said, police cautioned that there will be more than 100 officers from a number of law enforcement agencies on the street Friday. “If you’re having a good time, and you’re doing so where your behavior doesn’t affect the safety of yourself or others, then I doubt that you’ll have any contact with the police,” said U. of I. [...]
Police and students walk as one to promote ‘Unofficial’ safety
https://youtu.be/w6Wxjr0fwBk CHAMPAIGN — Students and police spent Wednesday evening knocking on thousands of doors near the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus to deliver important safety information to students about "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day." The event was part of the Champaign Community Coalition's "Walk As One" campaign, which in recent years has made an annual stop on campus. Students from campus fraternities and sororities, other student volunteers, university officials and police officers from the U. of I., Champaign and Urbana departments broke off into groups with a goal of knocking on 4,000 doors. "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" will happen on March 6. The activities [...]