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Benld Council approves personnel changes after long-time police officer resigns

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Doug Ratterman addressed the council regarding the 2018 motor fuel tax street maintenance program.

The Benld City Council on Monday night approved the promotion a part-time police officer to full-time status and approved the appointment of Officer Jared Carlen to the position of sergeant. The personnel changes were prompted by the resignation of long-time police officer Kurt Kozak, effective Oct. 13, whose letter of resignation was accepted earlier in the meeting. Kozak, serving as a police sergeant at the time of his resignation, reportedly accepted a position with the Staunton Police Department.

In his letter to the council, Kozak noted it had been “a pleasure to serve the citizens of Benld for 19 years.”

During his tenure with the Benld Police Department, Kozak served a lengthy stint as Chief of Police. In February 2014, the council approved Mayor Gloria Sidar’s appointment of Jim Zirkelback to the position of Police Chief. In December 2015, Kozak was appointed to the position of sergeant.

On a motion by Ald. Mickey Robinson, seconded by Ald. Teresa Tucker, the council voted unanimously to hire part-time officer Holly Faulds as a full-time officer to fill the vacancy created by Kozak’s departure. In a related action, the council unanimously approved Ald. Peyton Bernot’s motion to appoint officer Jered Carlen as police sergeant. Both actions were recommendations from Police Chief Zirkelback.

Zirkelback told the council that Faulds has completed full-time police academy training and will need no additional training to accept the position.

“The job was offered to her,” Zirkelback said. “She said she would take it and I think she is the person we should hire.”

During discussion, Ald. Jim Tilashalski said Police Department expenditures account for about 40 percent of the city’s budget. He noted that the department reduced the number of full-time police officers from four to three in an effort to control personnel costs, but overtime expenses had eaten up much of the savings.

Zirkelback, however, said restoring a fourth full-time position would do little to reduce overtime expenses.

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“A lot of our overtime is not from not having enough officers,” he said. “It’s from officers working on cases and court time.” Some cases, sexual abuse of children cases in particularly, can require up to 36 hours of investigative time, according to Zirkelback. In addition, he said the courts now require arresting officers appear in person for criminal hearings. In the past, he said the city was able to send a single officer to court to testify from police reports prepared by multiple arresting officers.

Ald. Tucker, who chairs the Police Committee, said the department is making strides toward cost-savings despite the challenges.

Ald. Tucker, who chairs the Police Committee, said the department is making strides toward cost-savings despite the challenges.

“It’s baby steps but in all sincerity I think the Police Department is starting to pay for itself,” she said.

Directing a question to Zirkelback, Tucker asked, “Is there a savings to hiring Holly?”

“If we don’t hire her, we can’t fill our shifts,” Zirkelback replied.

“You’re saying that if we don’t hire her tonight, we’re going to be in a pickle?” Bernot asked.

“We’d be in a real big pickle,” Zirkelback said.

The council took no immediate action to replace Fauld’s spot on the roster of part-time police officers. Adding another part-timer could be problematic, Zirkelback said, because of a dearth of available qualified candidates.

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“People don’t want to be cops anymore,” Zirkelback said. “Some of these guys work part time for several places. Some of these guys work for four different places.” The fact most part-timers work in multiple jurisdictions, he said, can lead to problems in scheduling.

In other business related to the Police Department, Tucker asked Zirkelback to draft specifications for a proposed 50-by-50-foot impoundment lot “so the committee can get a ballpark estimate of what it will cost.”  The committee has been discussing the possibility of building the lot adjacent to the city maintenance shed to impound seized vehicles. Zirkelback said one of the costs associated with the project will be the purchase of a surveillance camera at a cost of $300 to $400.

Mayor Jim Kelly acknowledged a grant of $500 recently received from the Macoupin-Montgomery Crime-Stoppers Chapter

Mayor Jim Kelly acknowledged a grant of $500 recently received from the Macoupin-Montgomery Crime-Stoppers Chapter to be used for the Police Department equipment, and said he would send a thank you note to the organization.

The actions regarding Police Department personnel changes followed a 45-minute executive session conducted at the start of Monday night’s regular meeting to discuss personnel and potential litigation.

Litigation discussed in executive session may have involved legal action against nuisance properties, a departure from the past practice of discussing such cases in open session with City Attorney Rick Verticchio.

Later in the meeting, without additional discussion, the council voted unanimously to declare properties at 109 South Fourth Street, 400 South Seventh Street and 700 North Seventh Street as nuisance properties, and approved a resolution directing Vertichio to seek a directed verdict and begin condemnation proceedings against a property located at 308 West Walnut Street.

MOTOR FUEL TAX PROGRAM

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a $55,000 motor fuel tax program for next year’s street maintenance program. The plan was presented by Doug Ratterman of HMG Consulting Engineers, Carlyle. The actual cost estimate outlined by Ratterman amounts to 51,980, including engineering costs, but Ratterman said the city is allowed to add five percent for contingencies in the program totals submitted to the Illinois Department of Transportation for final approval.

For 2017, Ratterman said the city secured somewhat lower pricing for road oil than anticipated, allowing the city to “bump up” the quantity without increasing expenditures. The 2018 program proposal anticipates similar pricing.

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Ratterman also noted that this year the city ended up buying limestone aggregate for seal coating instead of slag, which would have been the city’s preference. Beelman Trucking, which has supplied slag in the past, has told Ratterman that they will have slag available for the 2018 program. The MFT program document calls for bids for both slag and crushed limestone, allowing the city to choose which material to use based upon the bids it receives.

This year’s program is pretty much the same program as last year going forward

“This year’s program is pretty much the same program as last year going forward,” Ratterman said.

For resealing city streets, the program calls for expenditures of $18,225 for bituminous seal coat material, plus expenditures of $11,498 to $12,443 for either slag or limestone, depending upon which bid for which the city opts. The document also anticipates $5,700 in costs for patching materials and $4,115 for engineering services associated with the MFT program.

“If we approve this and something comes up,” Mayor Kelly asked, “can we amend this?”

“What you have here are estimated costs,” Ratterman said, indicating the plan could be altered if materials bids come in higher or lower than anticipated.

ORDINANCE REVISIONS

Ald. Tilashalski reported on results of several weeks of work by his committee to update variance ordinances in the city’s code book, and the council directed Verticchio to prepare amendments implementing the changes to be acted upon by the full council at a later date.

On Verticchio’s recommendation, Tilashalski said the committee recommended combining licensing for soliciting or peddling in the city limits and setting the license price at $100 per person whether it is annual license or daily license.

The committee also recommended increasing the cost of business licenses from $25 to $50 for the first year, with an annual renewal rate of $30. All business licenses will become due on Jan. 1 to ease bookkeeping concerns. Tilashalski said the city has been remiss in the past in collecting the business license fee on an annual basis and that the newly amended ordinance should alleviate that concern.

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Additionally, Tilashalski said the committee recommended establishing a sub-category of business licensing for storage buildings, charging $50 for storage facilities having up to 20 units and additional fees for storage businesses with units in excess of 20.

According to Tilashalski, the committee recommended leaving the licensing fee for coin operated amusement machines at $25 per machine, but council debated at length about restricting businesses’ ability to offer prizes to persons playing on machines such as dart boards and coin operated billiard tables. Video gambling machines are licensed by the state with some of the revenue redistributed to the municipality in which the machines are located, but state law technically prohibits establishments from paying out prize money on non-gambling machines that are not state-licensed.

“There is a limitation on what you can do regarding gambling machines licensed by the state,” Verticchio told the council.

Because state law prohibits paying prize money on non-gambling devices, it was suggested that the section regarding pay-outs be eliminated from the city ordinance book. Ald. Bernot, however, recommended leaving intact with language to “exclude machines that are otherwise licensed by the state.”

The council also recommended including language to restrict hours of operation for non-gambling devices. Businesses licensed by the state to operate gambling devices also serve alcohol and are subject to the same hours of operation applicable to businesses with Dram Shop licenses. To rectify the discrepancy, Verticchio recommended writing a provision for hours of operation for coin operated amusement devices located in businesses that are not subject to Dram Shop regulations.

BUSINESS LICENSES

Council members unanimously approved business licenses for Tammy Pereira for her “Choppers” barber shop to be located at 210 Central Avenue, and Cody Hughes for Hughes Underground Cable, an existing business located at 306 North Seventh Street. Pereira said she hopes to have her business open by Nov. 1.

Hughes Underground Cable is located in a residential area but already was in operation before the city adopted a zoning ordinance last year.

Hughes said the business currently has five employees and contracts with utility providers to install underground cable. He said the company hopes to expand and ultimately employee 10 to 20 workers.

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“We want to expand and possibly make Benld better,” he said.

“It looks like you were in business before zoning, so you were grandfathered in,” Verticchio told Hughes. “On the expansion issue, you should be careful so no one can contend that you’ve changed the nature of the business. If you have two trucks and you get four trucks, you probably haven’t changed the nature of your business. If you have four trucks and you get 40, that may change the nature of your business.”

What constitutes “changing the nature” of a business, Verticchio indicated, is subject to interpretation by the legal system.

ACCOUNTING BASIS

Mayor Kelly advised the council that the State Comptroller’s office has told the city it must use an accrual, rather than cash, basis for its accounting methods. The city switched from an accrual basis to cash in 2015. The state gave the city until 2019 to make the change back to accrual-based accounting.

“They’re okay with a cash basis for now,’ Kelly said. “Next year, I think we should go to accrual. If we wait until 2019 and something is wrong, they’re likely to go all the way back to 2015 and fine us.”

City Clerk Terri Koyne said she would be working with the city’s accounting firm, Scheffel-Boyle, to effect the switch.

GRANT SURVEY

Mayor Kelly also informed the council that the city needs to collect more household income surveys to determine the city’s eligibility for a $450,000 Community Development and Assistance Program grant to subsidize 75 percent of a proposed $600,000 project to improve portions of the city’s sewer system. To qualify for the grant, the city must be able to prove that more than half of the residents benefitting from the project represent low to middle income households. He asked for volunteers to go door-to-door and collect the additional surveys by the end of the week.

“We are either going to have to go out and do more walking, or drop it,” Kelly said. “We’re still right on the line. We need about 45 more.”

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OTHER ACTION

In other action, the council:

  • Accepted a bid of $600 from Ruff-N-Tuff Tree Service to remove a tree on public property at 600 Monroe Street.
  • Approved purchase for two American flags, two POW flags and two each of flags honoring six branches for military service to replace worn flags currently in use.
  • Accepted the low bid of Robert McClain of $4,300 to demolish and remove a derelict property at 416 South Main Street.
  • Authorized repairs to a 50-year-old road grader used by the Street Department, and replacement of a failed sewer meter measuring effluent coming from the Village of Sawyerville into the City of Benld’s lagoon.

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Police News

Gillespie Police Report: March 17-23, 2024

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SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Elm Street in reference to criminal damage to property.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to child abuse.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Walnut Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.

An officer was dispatched to Madison Street and Wilson Street in reference to suspicious activity.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was out in the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a security check. 

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MONDAY, MARCH 18, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of LJ Avenue in reference to a domestic battery. Regan M. Treadway, 22, of Hillsboro was arrested for domestic battery.

Gillespie Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department with a criminal investigation.

An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of South Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning. Charles H. Daubman, 62, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal burning.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Avenue in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.

An officer during normal patrol in the 100 block of South 7th Street in Benld noticed a trunk open on a vehicle. The officer made contact with the owners and they secured the trunk after checking it.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a male in reference to illegal dumping.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Hickory in reference to a civil standby.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a civil standby.

The School Resource Officer called in requesting assistance in reference to a female student that had left the school.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to criminal damage to property.

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An officer was dispatched to Route 4 by the nursing home to check on a person on a bike with no lights.

An officer was dispatched to Maple Street and Route 138 in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Spruce Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Gillespie Street in reference to juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a dog at large.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an animal complaint.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Benld. Logan G. Lawson, 22, of Roodhouse was issued a citation for speeding.

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An officer initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare. David E. Schmidt, 46, of Staunton was issued citations for speeding, expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Spruce Street in reference to illegal parking.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Jersey Street in reference to an open line 911 call.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Candace N. Carlen, 36, of New Douglas was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 200 block of West Oak Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.

An officer was dispatched to West Dorsey Street and South Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to suspicious activity.

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An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to reckless driving.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Biddle Street in reference to a medical assist.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Esha V. Bhatt, 30, of Edwardsville was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Nicole L Richey, 34, of Wilsonville was issued a citation for speeding and expired registration.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of 9th Street in Benld in reference to a suicidal subject

An officer was out with a suspicious person at Main Street and Spruce Street in Benld.

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An officer initiated a traffic stop at Macoupin Street and Elm Street. Walter L. Vester, 29, of Gillespie was arrested on a Glenn Carbon warrant for larceny.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Broadway Street and LJ Avenue. Jordan L. Jett, 23, of Hillsboro was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Litchfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to aggravated assault. Levi T. Kroll, 34, of Carlinville was arrested for aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a theft.

An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue where multiple vehicles were parked in a no-parking zone. After multiple announcements asking them to move, two vehicles remained and received citations. Jeromy J Moore, 47, of Greenfield and Matthew E. Raffety, 52, of Bunker Hill were issued citations for parking in a no-parking zone.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of East Walnut Street in reference to a domestic battery. Mitchela P. Zbornak, 34, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a juvenile issue.

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An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Madison Street in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West Oak Street in reference to an ordinance issue for illegal burning.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Oak Street in reference to a possible burglary.

The School Resource Officer called in reckless driving in the high school parking lot.

FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2024

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to retail theft and criminal trespass.

An officer was dispatched to Illinois Street and Kentucky Street in Benld in reference to a loud vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a suspicious person. 

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SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Oak for a 911 untraceable call the officers checked the area and were unable to find an emergency.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of South Illinois Street in Benld in reference to a medical assist.

An officer was dispatched to down wires at Dorsey Road and 1st Street in Mt. Clare. Ameren was contacted to remove the wiring.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Gillespie Police Report: March 10-16, 2024

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SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2024

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. Stephanie M. Lasica, 29, of Mt. Clare was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, and overtaking on the left lane.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Wilson Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

An officer was dispatched to 600 block of Frey Street in reference to an assault.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Elm Street in East Gillespie. Thor S. Barnes, 43, of Forest Grove, OR was arrested for operating an uninsured motor vehicle, illegal transportation of alcohol, and improper use of evidence of registration.

An officer was dispatched to South Main and South 2nd Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Willow Street in Benld in reference to harassment by telephone.

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MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2024

Gaberial A. Desherlia, 22, of Gillespie was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a suspicious item that was left by a building.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to a traffic crash.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to a domestic battery. Cynthia D. Edwards, 55, of Benld was arrested for domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare in reference to an alarm sounding.

An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of First Street in reference to disturbing the peace.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North 4th Street in Benld in reference to an animal complaint.

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An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln Street in Eagarville in reference to a domestic dispute.

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Osie Street in reference to a suspicious noise.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a medical assist.

Logan M. Billings, 34, of Benld was arrested on a Macoupin County warrant for aggravated battery.

The officers were dispatched to 5th Street and Spruce Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious noise.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Avenue and Main Street in Benld. A 16-year-old from Gillespie was issued a citation for speeding.

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An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to a found item left on a porch.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024

An officer dispatched to the 200 block of East Locust Street in Benld in reference to a domestic battery. Brandon M. Lyons, 43, of Gillespie was arrested for aggravated domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to criminal damage to property.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Oregon Street in reference to a suspicious circumstance.

An officer was dispatched to West Maple Street and North Jersey Street in reference to reckless driving.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Macoupin Street in reference to a well-being check.

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An officer assisted an Alderman with an Ordinance issue in the 100 block of Henry Street.

THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2024

An officer was dispatched to 200 block of West Dorsey Street in Benld in reference to a violation of an order of protection.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Central Avenue in Benld in reference to criminal damage to property.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Spruce Street and 5th Street in Benld. Dallas W. Richardson, 29, of Benld was arrested for improper use of evidence of registration and expired registration.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a violation of an order of protection.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of South Hard Road in Benld in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to LJ Avenue and Broadway Street in reference to illegal parking.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Avenue in reference to criminal trespass to property.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024

An officer was approached by a female in the 900 block of North Hard Road in Mt. Clare and reported suspicious behavior.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Charles Street in reference to a medical assist.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Pine Street in reference to a security check.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Dorsey Street in reference to the violation of an order of protection.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Mor Street in East Gillespie in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Broadway Street in reference to a suspicious person.

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An officer was out in the 100 block of South 4th Street in Benld to speak with a male in reference to criminal trespass.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North Macoupin Street in reference to an ordinance issue of illegal burning.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of South Main Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Francis Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 500 block of Horizon Street.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Green Street in reference to a suspicious noise.

An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of Broadway Street in reference to criminal trespass to property.

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An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a theft in the 700 block of Frey Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Easton Street in reference to a domestic. David L. Clark, 31, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Macoupin Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in reference to traffic control.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 300 block of South Street

An officer was out at Madison Street and Spruce Street in reference to juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Green Street in reference to juvenile issues.

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All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Gillespie Police Report: March 3-9, 2024

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SUNDAY, MARCH 3, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the Benld Sports Center Complex in reference to criminal damage to property.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud in the 600 block of Olive Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 1100 block of Second Street in reference to a noise complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Chestnut Street in reference to a house check.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Broadway Street in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North Hard Road in Benld in reference to dogs at large.

An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of West Henrietta Street in reference to a 911 open line. The officer checked the area and discovered it was a child playing with the phone.

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An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Ave and Main Street in Benld. Christy L. Williams, 39, of Bunker Hill was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer was dispatched to the 15000 block of Harmony Lane at Gillespie Lake in reference to a 911 call.

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 100 block of Maple Street in reference to assistance with a suicidal subject.

An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of Broadway in reference to a domestic battery. Lee A. Pollard, 23, of Gillespie was arrested for domestic battery.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Burton Street in reference to harassment by electronic communication.

An officer spoke with a female in the 100 block of Cahokia Street in Benld in reference to a juvenile runaway.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 6th Street in Benld in reference to a civil issue and to recover property.

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An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of East Chestnut Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Ave in reference to improper parking.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Gillespie Street in reference to an ordinance issue.

An officer was dispatched to Route 138 and Benld Cemetery in Benld in reference to a suspicious person.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Broadway Street and Francis Street in reference to a traffic crash/hit-and-run.

An officer was out on Handy Street and Easton Street in reference to a motorist assist and property damage.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Park Street in Benld in reference to criminal trespass to property and harassment.

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An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 6th Street in Benld in reference to domestic trouble and juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Clark Street in reference to a hit-and-run.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to harassment in the 200 block of South 2nd Street in Benld.

An officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Harding Ave in East Gillespie in reference to a noise complaint.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 900 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Abba Street in reference to a suspicious person.

An officer was dispatched to Route 4 and Dollar General in East Gillespie in reference to a suspicious person walking in the roadway.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Ave in reference to improper parking.

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An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of South Hard Road in Benld for unwanted solicitors.

An officer was out in the 600 block of Edwards Street in reference to unwanted solicitors.

An officer was dispatched to Easton Street and Handy Street in reference to a traffic crash.

An officer was dispatched to Central Ave and Route 4 in Benld in reference to reckless driving.

An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of North 5th Street in Benld in reference to juvenile issues.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of East Maple Street in Benld in reference to a civil standby.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie High School in reference to a juvenile issue.

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An officer was dispatched to Henrietta Street and Green Street in reference to suspicious circumstances.

An officer was dispatched to Staunton Road and Route 4 in reference to an animal complaint.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Park Ave in reference to improper parking.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Springfield Road and Illinois Ave in East Gillespie. Elizabeth A. Knight, 54, of Washington was issued a citation for speeding.

An officer was dispatched to the area of East Easton and South Second Street for smoke coming from under a bridge.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to fraud.

An officer met with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to the return of found property.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to criminal damage to property.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of East Oak Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of West Baker Street for a vehicle complaint. Tammy M. Dunn, 53, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal squealing/screeching of tires.

An officer was dispatched to the 900 block of Broadway Street in reference to a civil standby.

An officer was out at Park Street and Pine Street in Benld in reference to a trailer truck stuck under the train trestle. Chase E. Schultz, 21, of New Baden was issued a citation for disobeying a traffic device.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to a suspicious person in the 200 block of Dorsey Street in Benld.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to a 911 open line. Once an officer arrived on scene, they discovered it to be a misdial.

An officer was dispatched to a business in the 500 block of East Elm Street in reference to assistance in removing an intoxicated subject.

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An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of Gillespie Street in reference to a well-being check.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of Dorsey Road in Mt. Clare in reference to an intoxicated female.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024

An officer was dispatched to Jersey Street and Spruce Street in reference to a traffic crash.

An officer was dispatched to Gillespie Police Department to speak with a female in reference to cyber-bullying.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 4th Street in Benld in reference to theft and aggravated assault.

An officer was dispatched to South 8th Street and Central Ave in Benld in reference to reckless driving.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to fraud.

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An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Springfield Road in East Gillespie in reference to a dog at large.

An officer spoke with a female at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of West Baker in reference to a juvenile issue.

Tammy M. Dunn, 53, of Gillespie was issued a citation for illegal squealing/screeching of tires.

An officer was dispatched to the 200 block of North Lincoln in Eagarville in reference to a well-being check.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2024

An officer was dispatched to the 500 block of Henry Street in reference to a domestic dispute and child custody issue.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of West Henrietta Street in reference to a domestic dispute.

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Halli L. Thompson, 23, of Benld was arrested on a warrant out of Montgomery County for failure to appear while driving while their license was suspended.

An officer initiated a traffic stop at Central Ave and Main Street in Benld.  Heaven L. Kopsie, 31, of Benld for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 100 block of South 6th Street in reference to an accidental 911 misdial.

An officer spoke with a male at Gillespie Police Department in reference to a civil issue in the 200 block of South Macoupin Street.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of Berry Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 300 block of North 7th Street in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Ave in Benld in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was dispatched to the 400 block of East Central Ave in Benld in reference to suspicious circumstances

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An officer was dispatched to the 600 block of Charles Street in reference to a suspicious vehicle.

An officer was out at Oak Street and Macoupin Street in reference to juvenile issues.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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