Rochester Officers were called to a home on North Walnut Street earlier this week to take a report of an alleged phone scam.

The complainant told the responding officer that a male caller contacted her and claimed that he worked for Microsoft Windows. The caller told the complainant that a virus was detected on their machine and he began requesting personal information from the complainant. The complainant, suspicious of the caller, refused to disclose any information. After hanging up the phone, the complainant contacted Microsoft and was told that the man did not work for the company. Microsoft also told the complainant that they would never contact their customers and ask for personal information.

This was the second reported phone scam this week that Rochester Officers responded to. Building awareness by sharing this information with friends and family could prevent them from becoming the victim of similar scams. If you believe that you have been the victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency. To report a similar incident within the Village of Rochester, the officer on duty can be reached at 381-8351. Please dial 911 in case of an emergency.

The Rochester Citizen Corps is looking for individuals interested in volunteering their time to staff the phones in the Rochester Emergency Operation Center (EOC). The EOC, which is located in the Rochester Village complex, is opened when the emergency 911 lines for the Village of Rochester go down.

Call takers will staff phones in the EOC and notify emergency responders, police, fire, and public works of situations that require their attention. Volunteers will receive training for this position and will serve as the critical link between citizens in distress and emergency responders.

Individuals interested in volunteering are asked to submit an online application to the Rochester Police Department by Friday February 10, 2012. There will be a (3) hour training, Thursday February 16, 2012 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

*Officers were called to a residence on Sattley Drive on 12/02/11, at about 4:00p.m. in reference to a theft report.  A male subject told the officer that his girlfriend had stolen $800 from him and his mother.  The victim reported that his mother and he had been doing some construction work and had earned $800.  They then asked the suspect, whom the victim referred to as his girlfriend of one week, to hold the money for them.  He went on to report that after the two of them got into an argument she left without giving the money back to him.  Additional information from the victim has not been received as yet for the investigation to continue.

*On 12/08/11, an officer was sent to Rochester High School to meet with a school administrator.  The administrator wanted to report that there had been a theft which had occurred in the boy’s locker room earlier in the day.  It was reported that a suspect went through another student’s wallet and took $30 from the wallet.  The school had received information of a possible suspect.  Investigation into the incident resulted in the arrest of a 17 year-old student for this alleged incident.  The suspect was also connected to a theft which had been reported in November.  The incident in November involved the suspect allegedly stealing $200 from the victim.  Again, the incident occurred in the boy’s locker room and involved the suspect going through other student’s wallets.

*A vehicle being driven by Christopher Wessling of Taylorville was stopped on 12/14/11, at about 1:00p.m. Wessling was eventually cited for allegedly driving on a suspended license and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle.

*A burglary to a motor vehicle report was taken on 12/17/11.  The victim reported that numerous items were stolen from his car sometime after 9:00p.m. on 12/16/11.  Stolen items include several articles of clothing, a backpack, and some electronic equipment.  The total loss was estimated at $630.  It appears suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked car while it was parked in his driveway in the 100 block of Roanoke.

*A car which had been parked in a driveway on Maplehurst Drive was burglarized sometime during the early morning hours of 12/21/11.  Reported stolen from the vehicle was an I-Pod, Garmin GPS Unit, and approximately $15 in change.  Total loss was estimated at $215.  The victim stated the vehicle had been left unlocked while parked in the driveway.

*On 12/23/11, at about 3:30p.m. an officer was sent to a residence in the 400 block of Lexington in reference to an animal problem.  The officer arrived and met with a Sangamon County Animal Control Officer who had also been called to the scene.  They learned that a small dog from a residence on Pleasant Lane had been attacked by other dogs.  The small dog had been taken to the Vet Clinic with serious injuries.  An investigation into this incident resulted in a resident being cited for an alleged violation of the Village’s Animal Ordinance Policy.

*On 12/28/11, the Police Department was notified that a delivery person had been bitten by a dog at a residence on Taft Drive.  At this time the incident is pending further investigation before any enforcement action is taken.

*A vehicle being driven by Aaron Steele of Taylorville was stopped on 11/03/11, at 6:25p.m.  The officer reported that Steele’s driver’s license was suspended at the time of the stop.  Steele was cited for the alleged violation.

*Police reports indicate that a ticket for driving on a suspended license was issued to Shermita Gibson, of Springfield, on 11/09/11, at 12:25p.m.

*On 11/12/11, officers had contact with Cheryl Allen, of Springfield.  During the contact, officers were told that Allen was presently wanted on a warrant which had been issued by Morgan County authorities.  Allen was taken into custody and transported to the Sangamon County Jail.

*James Mitchell, of Moweaqua, was arrested by police on 11/13/11, at 9:40a.m.  Mitchell was found to be wanted on a warrant which had been issued by Macon County authorities.  He was taken to the Sangamon County Jail.

*A theft report was taken from a resident on Gilson Drive on 11/14/11.  The resident reported that suspect(s) took a steel beam which had been dropped off at his house by a lumber company.  The victim stated the theft occurred sometime between 11:30a.m. and 2:30P.M. ON 11/14/11.  Loss was estimated at $400.

*A vehicle being driven by Kevin Fields of Mechanicsburg was stopped due to an equipment violation.  During the course of the stop, an officer learned that Fields had allegedly been driving on a suspended license.  Fields was cited for the alleged offense.

*Officers reported that on 11/27/11, at about 1:30a.m. they were travelling behind a vehicle which was going southbound on South Walnut Streets.  Reports indicate the driver of the vehicle, Joseph Jiannoni, was stopped for improper lane usage.  An investigation into the stop eventually resulted in his arrest for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Criminal Incidents

Aggravated Battery – 1; Burglary from Motor Vehicle – 2; Criminal Damage to Property – 1; Criminal Defacement of Property – 2; Disorderly Conduct – 2; Theft Under $500 – 4; Theft Over $500 – 1; Warrant Arrests – 3

Traffic Related Incidents

Accident Investigations – 12; DUI – 2; Failure to Reduce Speed – 2;  No Child Restraint – 2; No Drivers License – 1; No Registration – 7; Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle – 26; Operating While Registration Suspended – 4; Other Violations – 6; Seat Belt Violation – 2; Speeding – 22; Suspended / Revoked Drivers License – 8; Warnings for Equipment Violations – 163; Warnings for Moving Violations – 172

Calls for Service

Animal Related Calls – 6; Assist Other Police Agencies – 42; Assist Other Governmental Agencies – 17; Building /Business Checks – 107; Burglar Alarm – 15; Citizen Assists – 87; Disturbances – 3; Domestic Trouble – 1; Loud Noise Complaints – 8; Mental Cases – 2; Motorist Assists – 23; Suspicious Person – 7; Suspicious Vehicle – 9; Vacation Checks — 379

The Rochester Police Department’s ability to get information out to the public quickly and accurately has been enhanced tremendously through the use of our Facebook and Twitter accounts. The department currently has 779 individuals who follow the department’s Facebook account, and 109 followers on Twitter.  The department utilizes these sites to keep our followers aware of  important public safety information and of criminal activity the Village is experiencing. These social networking accounts enable the department to send out updates and alerts directly to the public, and in a very timely manner.

The effectiveness of any police department is dramatically enhanced when they partner with their citizens. Frequently we receive calls prefaced by the statement, “I know your busy, but…” – Through these new tools, we are trying to capture this information the public, at times, is reluctant to share with us. The information provided by an informed and alert community is one of the greatest assets any police department can ask for. Citizen participation in this process is not only rewarding for the citizen but for the community as well; this helps to make our neighborhoods safer, more vigilant, and a safer place to raise our families.

Recently the department investigated an accident in which frost hindered a driver’s ability to see. Thankfully no one was seriously injured when the vehicle collided with a semi truck.

Many drivers clear off only a small area of their windshields to provide just enough visibility to see. However, when bright sunlight hits the remaining frost left on the windshield, it creates a light-amplifying effect that may lead to the driver being blinded.

Please allow a few extra minutes during your morning commute so that you can completely clear the windshield of your vehicle. This simple task could make the difference in you arriving safely at your destination.

Rochester officers took advantage of the unusually warm weather that our area experienced this last week and held an outdoor training.

Corporal Schwartz puts Officer Harris through shoot-and-move training.

Corporal Schwartz, one of the department’s training officers, put together a shoot and move training for officers to hone their skills when drawing and firing their weapons. The training allowed officers to interact with and engage targets utilizing training weapons while moving to cover and gaining distance from a threat.

This type of training is designed to enhance an officer’s proficiency of striking a moving target while they themselves are on the move. By remaining mobile, officers ensure that they are a much harder target for a gunman to hit.

January 1, 2012 marks the one year anniversary of the department’s participation with NIXLE. This partnership has proven a valuable tool in getting information out to the community. We have been able to keep our NIXLE subscribers informed  of such events as water main breaks, road closures, criminal activity, power outages, and a variety of other situations affecting village residents and our motoring public. We currently have 177 NIXLE subscribers. However, we can’t share these valuable alerts with you unless you are subscribed.Please join us on NIXLE by visiting the NIXLE alert page on our website and enter your information to signup today.

The Rochester Police Department is now accepting applications to compile an eligibility list for the position of police officer. The testing process consists of a written examination, an oral interview, and an extensive background investigation. Applications are available at the Rochester Village Hall and on the department’s website. Applications will be accepted through January 13, 2012. For minimum requirements and more information on the testing process, please visit our application page.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and the Rochester Police Department would like to offer residents a few simple tips to help keep you and your family safe:

Before traveling over the holidays, stop mail and newspaper delivery so these items do not accumulate. Consider installing motion-activated lighting on exterior lights and utilizing timers on lights within your home. Complete a vacation watch form online and Rochester Officers will check your residence daily to ensure your home is secure; officers will contact you if there are any problems.

If traveling over the holidays, expect congested roadways. According to the Illinois State Police, high volumes of traffic are expected on interstates and roads beginning Wednesday, November 23rd through Sunday, November 27th. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24th is expected to be the busiest. When traveling, adhere to the rules of the road and obey posted speed limits.

When shopping, park in well lit areas and place valuables in your trunk or store them out of sight. Remain aware of your surroundings and keep track of your shopping cart.

If you have any questions, please contact the Rochester Police Department at 498-8443. Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!

In the summer of 2009 the Village of Rochester began experiencing a dramatic increase in burglaries. From June 1^st through August 31^st during the summer of 2008 to the summer of 2009 the Village went from just three (3) burglaries up to eighteen (18); this number increased again during the summer of 2010 to twenty-three (23). These crimes included residential burglary, burglary to a motor vehicle, and burglary (which includes burglary to an unattached garage, out building or business).  After further investigation and collaboration with other agencies, the department realized that suspects who were committing these offenses resided outside of the community. The majority of the Rochester residents targeted in these burglaries had vehicles with their doors left unlocked and garages where doors were left up, or unsecured. Understanding these factors, the department began to take steps to deter these crimes.

This chart depicts the number of burglaries the Rochester Police Department has experienced since the summer of 2001. The data measures the number of burglaries by year from June 1st through August 31st.

During the summer of 2010 the Rochester Police Department worked along side detectives with the Springfield Police Department to identify suspects living outside of Rochester responsible for committing these crimes. Realizing that other small towns were falling victim to this tactic as well, the Springfield Police Department formed a multi-agency task force to identify and apprehend this ring of burglars; Rochester’s investigator, Corporal Jon Schwartz, was a member of this task force. With the assistance of the Springfield detectives, Rochester officers were able to solve many of their crimes.

The department turned to the community in the spring of 2010 for help with preventing these burglaries. Officers began a new program called the “Community-Police Partnership Program,” which aimed to inform community members on what types of suspicious behavior to be looking out for, as well as offering advice on how to prevent residents from becoming victims. Alongside this initiative, the department began employing new resources to educate the community. New tools such as the department’s facebook page, twitter and nixle accounts, and a new website enabled officers to push up-to-date information out to the public in a timely manner. The Rochester Times and The State Journal Register were very crucial with helping the department to build the awareness of the public and gain a following on these sites, making them much more effective.

To further deter these crimes, officers began ramping up patrols and contact with the public in an effort to forge partnerships, harden the community, and enhance visible police presence within the Village. This was accomplished primarily through directed patrols and increased traffic enforcement. In addition to this, officers began notifying residents who left their garage doors up at night in an effort to prevent crimes of opportunity within the community. The proactive efforts of the officers proved highly effective and were well received by community members. These efforts have prompted the community to become more cognizant of securing their homes and reporting suspicious behavior to law enforcement.

With these new partnerships, resources and a little luck, the summer of 2011 proved very rewarding for the department’s prevention efforts. The number of burglaries dropped from twenty-three (23) during the summer of 2010 down to zero (0) this past summer. The department would like to thank the Rochester Times, the State Journal Register, and the Springfield Police Department for their continuing support and assistance; these crucial partnerships greatly enhance the department’s outreach and effectiveness. Rochester officers plan to continue prevention efforts this spring by introducing a short informational series of videos with tips on how residents can make their homes more secure and less attractive to burglars.