St. Clair County Sheriff's Department

Check smoke detectors with arrival of Daylight Saving Time

St. Clair County Sheriff, Mearl Justus urges residents to check their smoke alarms when changing their clock to Daylight Saving Time Sunday.

Checking your alarm includes testing it to be sure the battery is working, vacuuming the alarm to get rid of dust and cobwebs, and inspecting your alarm to determine if it is 10-years-old or older. If so, you should replace the entire alarm.

Long-life lithium batteries have a life span of up to 10 years and if your alarm has one of these batteries, it may not need replacing every time you change your clock. However, if your smoke alarms are ten years old or older you should replace them entirely.

Working smoke alarms provide an early warning to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape and increasing your chances of surviving a fire. Additional safety tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area

• Replace smoke alarms 10 years old or older

• Hard-wired  alarms (those wired directly into home electrical systems) should have battery back-ups

• Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses

• Make a home escape plan and practice it.

Why did the number of DUI cases drop in St. Clair, Madison counties?

BY BRIAN BRUEGGEMANN - News-Democrat

The number of DUI cases dropped in both St. Clair and Madison counties in 2009.

Though the decreases are relatively small, they do suggest a leveling-off in the number of DUI arrests in the metro-east.

St. Clair County had 1,747 DUI cases filed in 2009, compared with 1,804 in 2008 and 1,749 in 2007.

Madison County had 1,658 DUI cases filed in 2009, compared with 1,796 in 2008 and 1,689 in 2007.

Kristi Hosea, a victim-services specialist with Illinois Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said stepped-up efforts by police have been helpful, but there won't be a significant decrease in drunken driving until breath-alcohol ignition interlocks are more widely required in vehicles.

Self defense: A right with a responsibility?

Recent cases show possible dangers of confusion

Suburban Journals

By Scott Cousins
Sunday, January 10, 2010 12:36 AM CST

As the old adage about protecting one's property says, "A man's home is his castle."

What's not said is exactly how far he (or she) can go to safeguard a home - or even more vaguely, a car or family.
It's a complex question, as evidenced by two high-profile area cases in recent weeks.

The first, on Dec. 27, involved a St. Louis man who allegedly shot and killed an 18-year-old who was attempting to steal the man's truck.

The next day, two St. Louis police officers shot and killed a man who they said fired at them, but who may have believed he was shooting at an intruder.

Do you text while you drive? It'll cost you when new state law takes effect this week

News-Democrat

A new law that goes into effect Friday will crack down on motorists who text or peruse the Web while driving.

The distracted driving law, House Bill 72, was passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn in August.

Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Collinsville, supported the legislation.

• Poll:

  Do you text or surf the Web while driving?

  Yes. It's no worse than talking on the phone or eating in the car.

  No. People who do this are crazy, and a danger to the rest of us.

"Drivers have a responsibility to themselves and to other motorists to limit distractions and focus on the road," Hoffman said. "Engaging in any behavior that reduces your concentration while driving is dangerous and irresponsible. Too many people are senselessly killed or injured because another person is careless behind the wheel."

Distracted driving accounts for a quarter of all reported traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The new law makes it illegal to compose, send, or read an electronic message, such as an e-mail, instant message or text, while driving. The ban also prohibits drivers from accessing the Web or using a personal digital assistant or computer while on the road, but does not apply to global positioning systems, navigational systems, or electronic devices that are integrated into the vehicle.

Exceptions to the law include a law enforcement officer performing work-related duties or a driver reporting an emergency situation. The law does not apply to drivers who are parked on the shoulder of the road or stopped due to normal t

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Driving in the snow:
If you find yourself driving in the snow, stay alert, slow down and stay in control. These are the three key elements to safe driving in the snow.
Here are a few other tips for driving in the snow:

• If you think you may be heading into snow or there is a possibility of driving in the snow, make sure you do a maintenance check on your vehicle before making the trip. Check the vehicle battery, belts and hoses, anti-freeze, oil, lights, brakes, heater and defroster and check the exhaust system for leaks which may allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
• Plan your route ahead of time and give yourself extra travel time. Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
• Wear comfortable clothing that does not restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing available for when you exit the vehicle.
• Always clear any snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors and the roof before driving. After starting the vehicle wait for the interior windows to clear of fog so you will have appropriate visibility.
• Make sure there is sufficient windshield washer fluid in the vehicle reservoir and that it is rated for freezing temperatures.
• It takes longer to stop on slippery surfaces, so add additional time to the three-second rule.
• Know the proper handling procedures for a skidding vehicle.
• Slow down in snow and icy conditions, make turns slowly, and make all starts slow and smooth.
• Remember that bridges and overpasses may freeze before the regular travel lanes of a roadway. Watch out for black ice, areas of the roadway that appear black and shiny and where your vehicle can suddenly lose traction. Slow down in these areas and keep your foot off the brakes.
• If you get stuck or stranded, don’t panic. Stay with your vehicle for safety and warmth. Wait for help to arrive. If you have a cell phone and are in an area with cell phone service, try calling for help. Try to always know your exact locations while driving.
• Keep your clothing dry. Wet clothing can lead to dangerous loss of body heat.

Winter Driving Survival Kit:
It’s a good idea to keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle if you might be traveling into an area where you could encounter snow. Having essential supplies can provide some comfort and safety for you and your passengers. The following items are recommended for your winter driving survival kit:

• Ice scraper/snowbrush
• Shovel
• Sand or other type of traction aid
• Tow rope or chain
• Booster cables
• Road flares or warning lights
• Gas line antifreeze
• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Small tool kit
• Extra clothing and foot wear
• Non-perishable energy foods, like chocolate or granola bars, juice, instant coffee, tea, soup, and bottled water
• Candles and a small tin can to hold the candle
• Water proof matches

Winter driving can be safe with planning and extra caution.
Resource: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/winter/winter2.html

Families of the fallen reflect on BackStoppers' legacy, 50 years

 

Angela Martin reflects back on the day that her husband, Derek Martin, died fighting a fire in St. Louis in 2002. She was sitting with her daughter, Kayla, 11. A photo of Derek is at left. (J.B. Forbes/P-D)

BY CHRISTINE BYERS

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

11/25/2009

ST. LOUIS — Anne Sebold remembers only two things from the day she learned her husband, city police officer Louis Sebold, 45, had been killed in the line of duty:
The looks on her six children's faces, and the visit from two men who called themselves the BackStoppers.
At the time, she didn't fully realize all that they would do for her. But now, 34 years later, she doesn't know what she would have done without them.
"You felt like you had support," Sebold said. "Like you could do this."

For 50 years this year, the St. Louis-area agency — the only one like it in the country — has filled the financial gap left by fallen heroes.
Because of it, widows have been able to remain in their homes.
Children have achieved college dreams.
Families have stayed together.
In all, 119 St. Louis-area public safety workers have died in the line of duty since BackStoppers' founding in 1959.

The reports are out: Did crime decline or go up where you live?

Murders, burglaries, robberies increase in some local counties

BY JENNIFER A. BOWEN AND MARIA BARAN - News-Democrat

Crime was down in 2008 compared with 2007 in Illinois, as well as in Madison, St. Clair, Bond and Monroe counties, according to the Illinois State Police.

State police on Tuesday released their "Crime in Illinois" report, which tracks eight specific crime categories and compares them with the previous year.

The crimes tracked are murders, sexual assaults, robbery, aggravated assault or battery, burglary, theft, car theft and arson.

• PDF:St. Clair County crime stats
• PDF:Madison County stats
• PDF:Illinois crimes 2008-2007
• PDF:Clinton County crime stats
• PDF:Washington County crime stats
• PDF:Randolph County crime stats
• PDF:Monroe County crime stats
• PDF:Bond County crime stats

Trick-or-treaters, beware: Belleville ordinance sets limits for Halloween

BY BRITTANY PALMER - News-Democrat

Once again this year, trick-or-treaters in Belleville had better not hit the streets without brushing up on the city's Halloween solicitation rules.

The ordinance first passed last year by the City Council was modified this year for Halloween, which falls on a Saturday. It requires that:

* Trick-or-treating must be done between 5 and 8:30 p.m.

 

* No person older than 12 may appear in any public place in the city in a mask or disguise where the identity of the person is concealed.

* It is considered unlawful for any person older than grade eight to make trick-or-treat visitations, with the exception of special needs students, parents, guardians or other responsible persons.

Mayor Mark Eckert said the age limit was discussed thoroughly and it was decided that high school students are too old to participate in trick-or-treating.

He said he knows some people may be upset, but that some elderly community members and mothers with small children expressed that older kids, who can be very intimidating, made them feel insecure.

Restrictions on trick-or-treat times in other cities in the metro-east include:

* O'Fallon -- 6-9 p.m.

* Swansea -- 5-9 p.m.

* Collinsville -- 5-8:30 p.m.

* Granite City -- 6-9 p.m.

* Freeburg -- 6-9 p.m.

* Mascoutah -- 6-8 p.m.

* Troy -- 6-9 p.m.

* Highland -- 5-9 p.m.

* Edwardsville -- noon to 9 p.m. on both Halloween eve and Halloween night.

* Fairview Heights, East St. Louis, Millstadt and Columbia -- no restrictions.

Belleville's Halloween ordinance further restricts convicted child sex offenders from participating in any Halloween events involving a person younger than 17, such as distributing candy. No candy or treats can be distributed from the sex offender's place of residence, and all outside residential lighting must be turned off from 4 to 11 p.m.

Belleville Capt. Don Sax said police patrols will be stepped up on Halloween night this year.

"We always have some additional guys out, keeping an extra check on everything," he said.

Contact reporter Brittany Palmer at bpalmer@bnd.com or 239-2535.

Haunted Crack House Project - Sheriff Justus Briefs the Press

The Sheriff, Eric Johnson and the other Community Partners introduced members of the press to the Haunted Crack House Project

Stone endorses Justus for St. Clair County sheriff

News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE -- The St. Clair County Democratic party endorsed Mearl Justus on Wednesday night to run for an eighth term as county sheriff after Coroner Rick Stone, who had eyed the job for himself, dropped his candidacy and gave a brief speech urging party unity.

"The Democratic Party is utmost in my heart," said Stone, 64, following a 45-minute meeting of the county Democratic selection committee at Bel-Air Bowl, formerly known as Panorama Lanes, the traditional meeting location. Stone will remain the county's coroner.

The session followed a day of considerable telephoning and turmoil among Democratic precinct committeemen after St. Clair County Clerk Bob Delaney was quoted in a front page News-Democrat story on Wednesday calling for Justus to step aside and criticized his running of the department.

Rick Stone, left, and Mearl Justus. - BND

After he was nominated, Justus said, "I don't have any animosity toward Bobby. Bobby spoke before he thought. I'll leave it at that."

Justus, 77, said his age shouldn't be a factor because he is capable of carrying out another four year term as the county's top lawman.

"I don't judge people by their age," he said, "I judge them by their actions."

For more on this stoyr, read the News-Democrat on Thursday or return Thursday to bnd.com