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Robbins outlines public-safety investments, approves two new officers
Summary
Mayor and police leaders prioritized public safety, announcing purchase of multi-directional cameras, traffic calming and approval to hire two officers; police leaders warned that state bond policies and academy schedules are delaying some officer training until 2023.
Village officials said public safety would be a focus for 2022 and the board approved immediate personnel and technology steps at its Dec. 14 meeting.
Mayor Darren E. Bryant said the village will install new cameras and add a speed bump on Lydia Street by summer 2022 as part of stepped-up public-safety efforts. The board unanimously approved hiring two officers, Romel Jamison and Kendall Walker.
Chief Sheppard told trustees the department is acquiring eight 360-degree cameras and using Flock license-plate cameras to support investigations of recent shootings; he said those tools helped recover vehicles involved in incidents. On broader enforcement challenges, he said, "people that are accused of crimes are out of jail due to current bail laws and structure from states attorney," and described ongoing coordination with the State's Attorney's Office and the sheriff's office for surge patrols when staffing is thin.
Chief Sheppard also said academy enrollment schedules are delaying training: the academy is full and the next enrollment is not until May, with September identified as the earliest practical date to get some full-time officers trained; he said those constraints could push some recruits' on-duty start dates into 2023. The department has hired a juvenile detective and is exploring pay-and-benefit improvements to retain trained officers.
Trustees asked staff to continue seeking grants and to work with community block clubs on neighborhood safety. The meeting record shows the board approved the hires by roll-call vote and recorded support for the camera and traffic-calming investments, though budgetary details and procurement timelines were not specified at the public meeting.
