Wilmington Police Department

WPD to hire in-house training officer

Published by admin on Tue, 07/20/2021 - 4:45pm

The Wilmington Police Department will bring in a new part-time officer to help reach the training requirements of the state’s new criminal justice reform legislation.

Police Chief Phil Arnold told members of the City Council about the plans during the July 13 Committee of the Whole meeting.

“With the new safety act there are several requirements for additional mandatory training that has to be hands on now. So, in the past, our mandatory training could be online… With the new mandates it’s going to require hands-on training,” Arnold explained.

Fireworks safety not just for the 4th of July

Published by admin on Tue, 07/06/2021 - 4:42pm

The 4th of July may be over, but that doesn’t mean the fireworks are gone for the year.

While the city of Wilmington held a formal fireworks display to commemorate the holiday, the use of fireworks for personal enjoyment remains commonplace across the area, and the country.

In Illinois, most fireworks are actually illegal to possess or use. Sparklers and small noisemakers remain the only legal fireworks in the state.

The sale and use of Roman Candles, Firecrackers and salute devices are prohibited in Illinois.

Wilmington officials remind public of golf cart travel requirements

Published by admin on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 3:27pm

City officials in Wilmington want to make sure that folks who travel through town on golf carts are following the rules.

On June 8, Alderman Dennis Vice brought up the issue of golf cart travel during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole, noting that with the summer season underway, more and more drivers have been spotted traveling in the specialized vehicles.

In 2017, the city passed a golf cart ordinance to allow for their use on city streets. But, that ordinance comes with rules and regulations, including a requirement that carts are registered with the city.

Wilmington police address yard compliance issues

Published by admin on Tue, 06/15/2021 - 3:18pm

The city of Wilmington is keeping an eye out for those folks who need to get their lawn upkeep under control.

On June 8, Wilmington Police Chief Phil Arnold reported to the City Council’s Committee of the Whole that Sgt. Daniel Brimer, the city’s code enforcement officer, addressed a total of 25 tall grass observations in the month of May.

Brimer said of the 25 properties addressed, the biggest issue was a local business.

Sponsors could help save cost on new cameras for WPD

Published by admin on Tue, 05/18/2021 - 5:56pm

The city of Wilmington will soon have several of its main roads monitored by license plate reading cameras. And, Police Chief Phil Arnold said that the city may also get a helping hand when it comes to covering the expense of those cameras.

Arnold said when the city first looked into a license plate reader system several years ago, the cameras would have cost about $30,000 each.

Cameras provided by Atlanta-based Flock Safety, however, will cost the city $2,500 each per year. That’s because rather than owning the cameras, the city is essentially renting the feed.

New sergeants sworn in at Wilmington Police Department

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 5:08pm

The Wilmington Police Department has promoted three of its officers to a new rank.

On May 4, Kristopher Hopper, Daniel Brimer, and Samantha Sullivan were each officially promoted to Sergeant with the WPD.

Police Chief Phil Arnold said the promotions are part of a long term planning process for growth at the department.

Zink appointed as new Wilmington Deputy Police Chief

Published by admin on Tue, 04/20/2021 - 5:35pm

The city of Wilmington will have a new deputy chief installed at the police department.

On April 13, Police Chief Phil Arnold explained the addition of a deputy chief to the members of the Police and ESDA committee.

“In 2014, our former deputy chief, Rick Juster, was on medical leave. We hoped that he would come back, but he never did come back in and ended up retiring, medically, and then as you all know he passed away,” Arnold said.

Wilmington police earn national recognition

Published by admin on Tue, 04/06/2021 - 5:14pm

The members of the Wilmington Police Department have earned national recognition for how they operate.

Last year the WPD responded to more than 8,272 calls, which included criminal investigations, domestic violence calls, mental health crisis interventions, school security needs, motor vehicle accidents, and animal complaints, among others.

To guarantee competent responses to such calls, the department relies on comprehensive and up to date policies.

Wilmington PD looks to add license plate readers to local routes

Published by admin on Tue, 03/16/2021 - 5:46pm

The Wilmington Police Department is looking to add a new tool into its cache of tricks for fighting crime.

On March 9, Police Chief Phil Arnold brought to the Police and ESDA committee information on investing in license plate camera readers from Flock Safety, a public safety operating system company based in Atlanta. The company partners with law enforcement and community members across the country to provide security cameras and license plate readers, which help capture information needed to solve crimes.

Remembering Frank Lyons - Common sense policing in a small town

Published by admin on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 5:42pm

A helping hand. A word of advice. A commitment to the community.

Back when Frank Lyons was the chief of police in Wilmington, being more than just a cop was part of the deal.

Franklin Lyons, 84, passed away on Feb. 6 at the home of his son, Braidwood Police Chief Todd Lyons.

The elder Lyons became chief of police in Wilmington in 1971, and served the community for 25 years until his retirement.

Unlike today’s appointments for chiefs or police commissioners across the country, which are often politicized, back then, it was about as casual as it gets.