Public Safety

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the “Invisible Killer” because it’s a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the Unites States die every year from accidental non-fire-related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, such as generators. Other products include faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces.

At  7:45 p.m. on Jan. 25, the St. Charles Fire Department responded to 215 W. Main St. for a report of smoke coming from the rear of the building by the neighbor. The first unit was on the scene by 19:47 and found moderate to heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building. Due to the nature of the structure, the potential for heavy fire loss to the downtown area, and the cold temperatures, the alarm was raised to a first level Box Alarm. The fire was contained to the rear portion of the building by firefighters and brought under control in approximately 80 minutes.

Mayor Lora Vitek, acting as Liquor Control Commissioner, revoked the license of Massage World, 615 South Randall Road, #100. The decision was rendered at a Jan. 19, 2022, hearing of the St. Charles Liquor Control Commission, which considers alcohol, tobacco, and massage license issues.

 The licensee was cited for several violations in accordance with section 5.20.100 of the St. Charles Municipal Code, and is required to pay $1,250.00 in fines and court costs.

Just after 9:00 a.m. this morning, the FBI responded to a bank robbery at a BMO Harris Bank located 300 S. Randall Rd, St. Charles, IL. Details from the FBI:

The City of St. Charles is a CALEA Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency. Annually, the Department releases a summary of internal investigations from the prior year. During 2021, the Department conducted four (4) internal affairs investigations.

The St. Charles Police Department once again has been awarded National Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA maintains professional standards for public safety to improve the delivery of services by participating law enforcement agencies. The St. Charles Police Department first achieved its accredited status in 1989, when it became one of the first agencies in the State of Illinois to become Nationally Accredited.

While tornadoes may occur anytime of the year, they are most likely in April, May, and June. Over half of all tornados occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., or on hot and humid days. One of the most important things you can do to prevent being injured in a tornado is to be alert to the onset of severe weather and reach shelter in time. The safest place to be during a tornado is in a basement, or in a small interior room like a closet or bathroom, away from outside walls and windows. 

When police officers or firefighters respond to a call and arrive at the scene, they often find that the situation requires additional professional assistance. Sometimes it’s clear that crisis intervention services for traumatized victims, mental illness, or other issues are desperately needed. That’s when the expertise of Sandra Rincon, the St. Charles Police Social Worker comes in.

The St. Charles Police Department wanted to share the important tenets they work under every day to illustrate who they are as a Department and clarify how they practice law enforcement in our community. Read the Department's Commitment to the Community here www.stcharlesil.gov/our-commitment-community

The City of St. Charles recently passed an ordinance which increased the number of parking spaces dedicated specifically for ride share vehicles working around the busy downtown district on the weekends. Three parking spaces along the 0-99 block of North 3rd Street as well as two designated spaces on the southeast corner of North 3rd Street and Cedar Street are reserved for rideshare operators actively working Thursday through Saturday nights, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. New signage outlines the parking restrictions.