Police chief reports ongoing homicide investigation, staffing changes and new education push on e-bikes

Police Chief Morner updated the council on public-safety matters at the May 26 meeting, including an ongoing investigation into a May 15 incident in which a 3-year-old child was fatally shot. The chief said the department is awaiting the coroner’s final report and the completion of evidence processing before the case will be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for any charging decisions.

“Once all of that is made available, everything will be sent to the prosecutor’s office and they will make a decision on any appropriate charges that may be applicable,” Morner told council, and he praised officers who responded to the scene and hospital.

Morner also summarized department staffing and statistics. He said the department hired seven officers in 2025 but lost five (one to retirement, one termination and others resigning), bringing the roster to 27 officers including the chief. He reported the department’s arrests per officer rate was high relative to comparable agencies and noted new revenues tied to a body-camera grant and increased donations to support departmental needs.

Councilors and the chief discussed electric bicycles and scooters. Morner described an outreach program assembled by a Lake County lieutenant (Tina Messenger) to educate parents and students about local ordinances and safety requirements for different classes of electric bikes; he supported an educational campaign targeted at schools next year and said the department would consider enforcement strategies in the near term.

What’s next: The police department will await the coroner’s report and coordinate with the prosecutor on charging decisions in the May 15 fatality; it will also pursue community education on e-bike and scooter laws and consider targeted enforcement as needed.