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Police announce arrest in online threats case; residents press for traffic study on Frank Scott Parkway
Summary
Swansea police reported an arrest tied to online threats against officers and residents representing four HOAs urged the village to seek a traffic study and safety improvements on Frank Scott Parkway as nearby development proceeds.
Chief Matt Lombberg told trustees the village assisted the FBI on an online‑threat investigation that led to the arrest of Michael L. Gileiam on a terrorism‑threat charge; the posts, Chief said, threatened to kill Swansea officers and included reposted footage of an ambush in another state. Investigators are seeking to detain the suspect at a pretrial release hearing later this week.
The chief credited FBI investigators and Swansea detectives for rapid action; he said investigators will appear at a pretrial hearing and that the investigation remains an ongoing criminal matter. "This is obviously a very rare incident for us," the chief said, adding the department took the threat “very seriously.”
In public comment, Rita Hamilton, speaking for four homeowners associations representing about 395 owner‑occupied homes and roughly 690 residents who use Frank Scott Parkway daily, urged Swansea staff to coordinate with Belleville and St. Clair County on traffic impacts from new development. She asked that the village insist on a traffic study and plan for turn lanes, traffic signals or roadway widening before additional projects move forward, citing a recent fatal crash and repeated near misses near community entrances.
Mayor Jeff Parker and staff said they will seek meetings with the county engineer and Belleville officials and report back; staff noted St. Clair County manages Frank Scott Parkway and that interjurisdictional coordination will be necessary. Residents pressed the board for clearer timelines and communications on traffic assessments and mitigation steps.
Trustees also addressed routine public‑works concerns raised by residents during the meeting, including missing sewer bills and sidewalk snow removal during winter months; staff offered to assist residents with online billing and to follow up on neighborhood punch lists for recent street/landscaping work.
The trustees said they will follow up with county and neighboring municipal partners about Frank Scott Parkway planning and attempt to bring more information to a future meeting.
