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Trick or Treating

Village Trick or Treating Guidelines

The Village of Jerome along with the City of Springfield and surrounding Villages of Grandview, Southern View, and Leland Grove is announcing the Halloween trick-or-treating hours. Trick-or-treating will be from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 31, 2020. As a reminder, it is optional for individuals to welcome trick-or-treaters to their residences. Residents who wish to greet trick or treaters may do so by turning on their porch lights. Homes without their porch lights on should NOT be visited. It is strongly encouraged that anyone who would like to distribute treats should leave individually wrapped candy on a table on their front walkways, sidewalks, or any other outdoor space that allows for at least 6 feet social distance from the door. The individually wrapped candy should be spread out so each piece is not touching another. Anyone distributing candy or treats should wash their hands properly for at least 20 seconds before placing the candy on the table and when replenishing. We understand that Halloween is a holiday many individuals enjoy, especially children. However, we ask that everyone please be mindful that the virus is still present in our community and proper precautions need to be taken. These precautions do not only impact your family. It impacts the safety of your neighbors, neighborhood, and local businesses. The State of Illinois has provided additional guidance for those planning on trick-or-treating. All individuals participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain a social distance of at least six feet and wear proper face coverings. A costume mask, such as those worn on Halloween, is not a substitute for a face covering. If face coverings are worn under costume masks, please ensure this does not create breathing problems, and if so, discard the costume mask. Only household members should trick-or-treat together, and they should maintain a six-feet social distance from other trick-or-treaters at all times. Mixed household trick-or-treaters are discouraged. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be carried and used frequently. Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be consumed until after proper handwashing. As always, a parent/guardian should check all candy to make sure it is wrapped and should discard unwrapped candy.

Business Trick or Treating

Businesses who wish to greet trick-or-treaters are asked to follow the same guidelines as those outlined for homes. As a reminder, guidelines for Phase 4 business operations including social distancing, capacity, and mask requirements are still in effect. To review the State of Illinois’ Halloween guidelines, please visit http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/halloween-guidance.

Springfield Fire Department Reminds Families Safety First this Halloween

In addition to the health precautions outlined for trick-or-treating, the Springfield Fire Department would like to remind families to be safe from other dangers this Halloween. Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns. When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric. Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costumes. Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them. Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters. Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

Image of the Jerome PD badge.

Statement from Village President Lopez and Chief Estill

In the recent days, there have been multiple reports related to the hiring of Tricia Langan by the Village of Jerome. In fact, officer Langan, who has been in law enforcement for over 15 years, had been serving as a part-time officer for the Village since August 2019 and in years prior. Officer Langan was hired by the Village of Jerome after a thorough and routine process. At the April 2, 2020 Village Board meeting, Chief Estill presented officer Langan to the Village Board as a qualified candidate for the open Sergeant position with the Jerome Police Department. As it traditionally does with candidates for open positions, and in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Board discussed approving officer Langan for the Sergeant position in executive session with the advice of the Chief. Following executive session, the Board approved officer Langan for the Sergeant’s position. Importantly, officer Langan has never been the subject of discipline or a complaint related to her service as a police officer in the Village of Jerome. The village holds its police officers to the highest standards and will not tolerate the use of excessive force by any officer. Any substantiated allegations of wrongdoing against Village police officers in the future will be addressed by the Village as swiftly as legally possible, and all appropriate responses, up to and including termination, will be considered.

Image of the Jerome PD badge.

PSA: Please Lock Your Cars and Homes

Yesterday a resident parked their car in their driveway on Iles Ave around 10:00 am. The vehicle was left unlocked with a purse in the car. At 12:30 pm the resident found that her purse had been stolen. Officers searched along Iles Ave, but could not locate the missing property. Jerome residents located the purse and wallet on different sides of the village. Thank you to the residents that helped get the victim’s property back.

Please remember that thieves don’t just operate at night. Be aware and lock your home and cars even if you are home.

Chief of Police
Mark Estill

Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

Crime Alert

The Jerome Police would like to get the word out to the residents of Jerome to please lock your vehicle doors. Also, do not leave the keys or key fobs in the vehicle. In the past few nights, we have had a car stolen on South Lincoln Avenue and several cars entered along West Grand Court and Fillmore Street. All of the vehicles entered or burglarized in Jerome have been left unlocked. Subjects will walk the village at all hours of the night going from car to car looking for valuable items and money. If the car door is locked, they just go to the next one until they find an unlocked door. We have found there are several groups doing this in and around Springfield, Jerome, Southern View, and Leland Grove. If you see somebody walking in your area that looks suspicious to you please call the non-emergency number 217-753-6666.

Thank You

Recently Chief Estill approached local businesses with a request for donations to help the Jerome Police Department acquire new equipment.  We would like to thank the generous businesses that contributed to this campaign.

August 2017 Police Report

Jerome Police Statistics:

In the month of August 2017, the Jerome Police Department responded and handled over 121 calls for service including traffic stops and traffic accidents. There were 202 police reports made, 64 traffic citations and warnings issued, 7 traffic crashes with no injury, no hit and run accidents and no warrant arrests.

Patrol Activity:

Patrol Officers checked homes of residents over 56 times during the month of August using our Vacation Watch Program. There were no reports taken for attempted burglary or for burglary to a motor vehicle and no home invasions. The municipal building, garage, library and park were checked a total of 60 times

Training:

Police Officer Nick Byerline has almost completed his in-service training and will be out on patrol by the first week of October.  Corey Reynolds has completed his in-service training and has been on patrol answering calls and taking reports.

Equipment:

The new Toyota truck is finally finished with all of the equipment installed. We just ordered four tasers for the department with the money that was raised from donations for the Equipment Program.  Sangamon County will be training our officers in the use of the taser and a policy will be set in place to reference the use of the new devices.

Vacation Watch

Are you planning a vacation soon?  The Jerome Police Department can help keep an eye on your residence while you’re gone.  There are two options.

The first is to have the Jerome Police Department perform extra patrols by your residence.  For shorter vacations, this will allow the department to keep an eye on your residence without drawing extra attention to the fact that you are out of town.  A second option is to have the police department do a vacation check on your residence.  This entails an officer parking at your residence and going around the property checking to ensure it is secure and undamaged.  Because the officer makes a thorough check of the property, it can alert people that the property is currently vacant.  Generally this is a better option for longer vacations or if you know you will be leaving the residence vacant for a long period of time.

Both types of vacation watch can be requested using this form by dropping off the completed form at the Village Hall.