St. Clair County Sheriff's Department

Residents, police meet about rural thefts

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Rural areas near Freeburg are hit

BY JACQUELINE LEE - News-Democrat

About 60 residents met with St. Clair County sheriff's personnel and city officials at Freeburg Township Hall on Tuesday night to discuss residential burglaries of guns, jewelry and electronics in rural areas in the past two months.

Capt. Steven Johnson told residents what deputies are doing to increase security in the area, and asked residents to report suspicious activity right away.

Diann Roth, who lives off Liebig School Road near Mascoutah, said she feels reassured after hearing what deputies are doing to address the crime. "At least I know they're out there," Roth said. "But unless the cops are right there when it happens, it's going to take all of us neighbors to stop them."

Halloween safety tips

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween is a fun time for kids, but it is also an important time to be extra vigilant for possible safety hazards so that your children have a fun and safe Halloween.

The Sheriff's Department will have extra patrols available during the night.

Some tips to make Halloween safe include:

Costume safety

• choose a costume made of flame retardant material
• costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause your child to trip and fall,
• for good visibility, add some reflective tape to the costume or bag he is using to carry candy or make/choose a costume made of bright material that is visible in the dark
• masks should fit securely and allow your child to see well and not hinder visibility
• if using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic
• knives, swords and other props should be made of a flexible material, so that they don't pose a hazard if fallen on

Trick-or-Treating safety

• children should be well supervised by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older children should trick-or-treat in large groups in well known neighborhoods.
• carry a flashlight
• stick to well lit houses in familiar neighborhoods only
• never enter a strangers house.
• some communities require registered sex offenders to post signs that state, "No Candy Here." 
• follow traffic signals and rules of the road
• drive slowly
• avoid taking shortcuts across backyards or alleys. Stick to the sidewalks of well lit streets
• always cross intersections with street lights and crosswalks

(News story from Maryland describing the "No Candy"  polices for Sex Offenders. Any commercial messages  in this story do not represent an endorsement by The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department.)

Candy safety

• instruct your children to bring all candy home before eating it so that you can carefully inspect it for tampering. Children shouldn't snack while they're out trick-or-treating, before parents have a chance to inspect the goodies. To help prevent children from munching, give them a snack or light meal before they go -- don't send them out on an empty stomach.
• Tell children not to accept -- and, especially, not to eat--anything that isn't commercially wrapped.
• Throw out candy or treats that are homemade, unwrapped or if they appear to have been tampered with (pinholes in wrappers, torn wrappers, etc.)
• Parents of young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.
• Wash all fresh fruit thoroughly, inspect it for holes, including small punctures, and cut it open before allowing children to eat it.

(News story with tips for Trick or Treating. Any commercial messages  in this story do not represent an endorsement by The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department.)

General safety tips

• homeowners should prepare their home for trick-or-treaters by removing obstacles from the front yard, restraining dogs and other animals, and lighting the house well
• provide treats that are individually wrapped candy or offer kids nonfood treats, such as stickers and erasers.
• artificial lights and candles are a safer alternative to real candles with a flame that can pose a fire hazard
• if going to an adult Halloween party, make sure that you don't drink and drive. Use a designated driver if alcohol is being consumed.   
• "Tricks" are not an excuse vandalism. Please call your local police to report any unusual activity.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has an excellent guide with more tips for parents and children.
Read the Suburban Journal's article from October 26, 2008
Read the Belleville News Democrat for new rules for Belleville's Teens.

Leaf burning regulations

Local regulations.

Belleville: Burning is allowed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 1 through Dec. 15 and April 15 through May 15.

Cahokia: During daylight hours year-round.

Caseyville: During daylight hours year-round.

Collinsville: Banned.

Columbia: During daylight hours by homeowners.

East St. Louis: Banned.

Edwardsville: Banned.

Fairview Heights: Burning allowed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays between Nov. 1 and April 30.

Glen Carbon: Banned.

Granite City: Banned.

Freeburg: Banned.

Lebanon: During daylight hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from Sept. 15 to Dec. 15 and March 15 to May 15.

Maryville: Burning is allowed from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays year-round.

Mascoutah: Banned.

Millstadt: During daylight hours year-round.

O'Fallon: Banned.

Shiloh: Burning allowed 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15 and March 15 to June 1.

Smithton: During daylight hours Monday through Saturday year-round.

Swansea: Burning allowed 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Oct. 1 to Dec. 29 and April 1 to June 15.

Troy: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round.

Washington Park: Banned.

Waterloo: Burning allowed noon to 4 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday year-round.