Task force aims to stem unprecedented rise in violent crime in Galesburg
GALESBURG After four homicides and numerous gun crimes so far this year in Knox County, area law enforcement is taking action.
A newly formed law enforcement task force announced its formation Friday morning at Galesburg City Hall in a press conference run by Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle and Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin.
Idle, Karlin, Knox County sheriff Dave Clague and Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Brett Tucker were present for the press conference at city hall, announcing the task force meant to address Galesburg’s rising levels of violent crimes.
Originally published on April 23, 2021 2:23 pm
Knox County is forming a task force to address a drastic uptick in violent crimes this year.
In the first four months of 2021, Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle said his department has made 15 arrests linked to shooting incidents, 18 arrests for gun crimes, seized 11 illegally-possessed guns, and made 48 felony drug possession arrests. Normally, we see something in the low single digits for these type of events, and we re edging up to 30 (violent crimes) this year already, Idle said. So it s a significant increase. It s something we really want to put focus on and do something about.
OPS Director interviews set
WIU University Relations
MACOMB Two candidates for the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS) director position are set for interviews (virtual and in person) Monday, April 26 and Tuesday, April 27.
Candidates include Derek Watts, interim director of the Office of Public Safety, (Monday, April 26) and Michael Parkinson, emergency preparedness coordinator and Clery compliance officer at Saint Louis University (Tuesday, April 27).
Open sessions will be held via Zoom with each candidate from 10:50-11:30 a.m. April 26 (bit.ly/WattsOpenSession) and April 27 (bit.ly/ParkinsonOpenSession). Individuals interested in participating in the open sessions
Watts has served as the OPS interim director since March 2019. He joined OPS in 1998 as a patrol officer. He was promoted to corporal in 2006 and to sergeant in 2009. Watts was promoted to lieutenant in 2018. He started his law enforcement career with the Bushnell Police Department in 1996. B
The task force is being formed to focus on drug trafficking and gun-related offenses.
The City of Galesburg sent out a release Thursday saying that this “type of criminal behavior poses a threat to the safety and quality of life for Galesburg residents, and will not be tolerated.”
The task force will consist of the Galesburg Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County State’s Attorney’s Office, Illinois State Police, and the FBI Springfield Division.
The press conference can be viewed on local Comcast Channel 7 and will be streamed live on the City of Galesburg’s website at 10 a.m. Friday, April 23.
Galesburg police discover man with gunshot wound, suspect unknown
A Galesburg man was found Sunday with a serious gunshot wound in his chest, and not much is known about the situation that led to the shooting. Author: Connor Day Updated: 9:06 PM CDT April 5, 2021
GALESBURG, Ill. A Galesburg man was sent to the hospital with a serious gunshot wound after officers were alerted Sunday night.
On April 4 at about 8 p.m., Galesburg Police Department received a call reporting the discovery of a shooting victim in the 1900 block of Indiana Avenue.
Officers arrived at the scene to find a 33-year-old man with a serious gunshot wound in his chest.