Vandalia Police Department

2018-05-03 18:17:54

We are accepting applications for a part time telecommunicator at the Vandalia Police Department. Our dispatchers work 12 hr shifts that are either 7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am. Hours vary from week to week. Applicants must be of good moral character and pass a background check. Applications may be picked up at the Police Department at 219 South 5th St.

2018-04-10 15:25:28

This week in National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. I found this video on you-tube and wanted to share. We are very fortunate to have a group of very experienced and caring telecommunicators for the City of Vandalia. Thank you for all that you do for our community.

2018-04-10 14:02:38

We are testing storm sirens at 10am this morning. We did not test last week due to the rain.

2018-04-05 14:45:33

VANDALIA POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASE On April 4th, 2018 at 6:38pm officers took a missing person report. Amanda Bitter age 28 of Kaibeto Arizona was reported not to have returned to her motel room after going out on April 3rd. Amanda was last seen going north bound on Kennedy Boulevard at Gallatin Street at 12:12am. At 1:30am a Vandalia Police Officer located skid marks in the grass in the 500 block of North Kennedy Boulevard. The skid marks went towards a ravine with deep flood waters. A Vandalia Police Officer who is a member of the Fayette County EMA Dive team and two other members of the dive team searched the water for a vehicle. At 4:12am the dive team located a 2007 Chevy Cobalt in the water. Amanda Bitter was found in the vehicle deceased. The Vandalia Police Department was assisted by the Illinois State Police, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County EMA Dive Team, Fayette County Ambulance, Rural Med Ambulance, Fayette County Coroner and McDowell’s Service.

2018-03-23 11:38:00

Here is a 11 minute video good for parents to watch. Just one reason to be looking at your child’s phone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2buaziaNnE

2018-03-22 15:46:18

We would like to make parents aware of some reports we have been taking. We have had reports of minors involved in sending indecent pictures to each other. I have made a 2 minute video about checking your child’s phone. Please watch and share as educating parents and children on this matter is very important. The law that covers this offense is 705 ILCS 405/3-40 and it states. Minors involved in electronic dissemination of indecent visual depictions in need of supervision. (a) For the purposes of this Section: "Computer" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 17-0.5 of the Criminal Code of 2012. "Electronic communication device" means an electronic device, including but not limited to a wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, or a portable or mobile computer, that is capable of transmitting images or pictures. "Indecent visual depiction" means a depiction or portrayal in any pose, posture, or setting involving a lewd exhibition of the unclothed or transparently clothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or, if such person is female, a fully or partially developed breast of the person. "Minor" means a person under 18 years of age. (b) A minor shall not distribute or disseminate an indecent visual depiction of another minor through the use of a computer or electronic communication device. (c) Adjudication. A minor who violates subsection (b) of this Section may be subject to a petition for adjudication and adjudged a minor in need of supervision. (d) Kinds of dispositional orders. A minor found to be in need of supervision under this Section may be: (1) ordered to obtain counseling or other supportive services to address the acts that led to the need for supervision; or (2) ordered to perform community service. (e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit a prosecution for disorderly conduct, public indecency, child pornography, a violation of Article 26.5 (Harassing and Obscene Communications) of the Criminal Code of 2012, or any other applicable provision of law. (Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

2018-03-07 17:24:32

We wanted to make the public aware of a third-party contractor that will be going to all customers of Liberty Utilities in Vandalia. The contractor will be installing automated meter readers. We were told there would be 8 men working in Vandalia today and as many as 20 by Friday to get all meters changed.

2018-02-28 20:29:00

We want to thank you for sharing our previous post. We were able to identity the subjects within 20 minutes of our post. Thank you again!!!

2018-01-22 19:57:08

We wanted to say a big thank you to National Bank for their donation to the Vandalia Police Department. National Bank sold a Back the Blue Christmas ornament. The donation was made from the proceeds of that sale. Thank you to everyone who purchased an ornament. Thank you again National Bank for your support.

2018-01-17 16:07:00

Please remember to lock your doors and remove valuables.....

2018-01-17 00:01:56

At 8:44am Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Gallatin St. for a report of a male subject who was walking in the area in just his underwear. Officers were able to locate the subject and he was given medial attention. We are unable to release any medical information about the subject.

2018-01-10 16:53:50

We have just completed a active shooter drill at the Fayette County Hospital. This was just a drill!!

2017-12-22 21:12:59

We would like to thank Robert and Jody Groff for the bicycle they donated to a child in need.

2017-12-20 02:06:53

We had yet another very successful Shop with a Cop. We want to thank everyone that donated to our program. A big thank you to Ms. Mesnard for helping us with our selection process, Land of Lincoln Credit Union for fundraising and helping with our shopping trip and Vandalia Walmart for a donation and making sure our shopping trip was smooth. Thank you again to everyone that participated.

2017-12-01 17:10:33

Carl E. Carroll age 18 of Vandalia has been arrested for criminal trespass to a motor vehicle and burglary from a motor vehicle. This arrest stems from the 13 reports of thefts from motor vehicles on 11-16-2017.

2017-11-27 20:20:25

If you or someone you know if having problems with a runaway child between the ages of 11 and 17 this is a great resource. The Effingham office phone number is 217-347-5880 and the crisis hotline number is 217-342-6777. They offer in-home family counseling at no cost. You can look at the website at onehopeunited.org

2017-11-13 16:26:42

We had multiple reports over the weekend of scam. People calling and saying they are from Ameren. They say if you do not send a green dot card or a wire transfer within an hour your power will be shut off. Below is the information from Ameren about what to do if you are contacted. If you have been contacted by someone impersonating Ameren: Hang up the phone, or close the door, and call Ameren Illinois at 800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583. Do not give the caller or visitor a prepaid card, such as a Green Dot card, a wire transfer, or any other form of payment that may be difficult for law enforcement officials to trace. Ignore suspicious requests for personal information such as bank account numbers, user names and passwords, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers. Delete and block any emails from utilities that are not your service provider. Delete all suspicious emails that require immediate action to verify or demand personal information.

2017-11-04 04:54:55

I wanted to thank Chris Handegan for his very generous donation of $250. To our shop with a cop program. We would not be able to help these kids in need without great people like Chirs.

2017-11-02 19:38:47

Our officers have started no shave November for our shop with a cop program. Officers that are participating have made a donation to the Vandalia Police Department Shop with a Cop program. We are still accepting donations and will be doing our shopping trip with on Tuesday December 19th. Donations can be made at the Vandalia Police Department or at the Land of Lincoln Credit Union.

2017-10-17 15:57:38

It's that time of year again. We are asking for donations for our shop with a cop program. We have had great success the last three years with this program. It would not be possible without the donations made by our community. Donations may be made at Land of Lincoln Credit Union or at the Vandalia Police Department. Donations may be mailed to 219 south 5th street in Vandalia. No donation is to small or to big. Thank you again for you support.

2017-09-15 14:43:00

We received multiple tips yesterday from the public in regards to the criminal damage in our cemetery. As a result of those tips Vandalia Police conducted multiple interviews. At the conclusion of one of those interviews an 11 year old juvenile from Vandalia was arrested for criminal damage to property. The investigation is ongoing with the possibility of further arrest coming. We would like to thank Vandalia Mayor Ricky Gottman for offering reward money from the city. We would also like to thank all the citizens that provided information and that have shared this information via social media. Jeff Ray Chief of Police Vandalia Police Department

2017-09-14 19:45:00

On 09/14/2017 at 8:47am the Vandalia Police Department was notified of criminal damage to property in the Fairlawn Cemetery. Vandalia Police responded to the scene and it was discovered that 25 headstones had been damaged in the overnight hours. The majority of the headstones were turned over and some were broken. Illinois State Police Crime Scene was called to the scene to collect evidence and process the scene. Mayor Rickey Gottman was on scene as well. We are all saddened and disgusted by such a senseless act of vandalism. We are offering a $1500.00 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Fayette County Crime Watchers is offering $750.00 and Mayor Gottman advised the City of Vandalia would match the $750.00 offered by Crime Watchers. Anyone with information is asked to call Fayette County Crime Watchers at 618-283-1986 or the Vandalia Police Department at 618-283-0556.

2017-09-10 00:29:25

The missing person in our last post was located. Thank you for you assistance.

2017-09-08 20:09:30

We wanted to give a shout out to our local Wal-Mart. I won't go into detail in regards to the case but one of our Officers saw a young child in our community that is in a difficult situation. The Officer made contact with Wal-Mart and the were able to make a donation off of the shelf to help this young girl out. They really stepped up and helped her out. Thank you Vandalia Wal-Mart.

2017-08-30 17:23:11

I have shared a message below that I got from a member of the Christ Tabernacle. They are collecting supplies for flood victims in Houston. If you would like to help you can drop off any of the below items at All About You Day Spa. They are located at 522 West Gallatin St in Vandalia. They are open from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday - Friday and 9am to 12pm on Saturday. Good morning, My church is taking a moving truck full of supplies to Houston for Life Church Houston to hand out to the community. We are needing all the help we can and I was hoping you could make a post since your page can reach more people than I could. I'm going to add a list of the things that the church says is needed. Cases of water Canned goods Baby needs Personal hygiene items Cleaning supplies Dry foods that are easy to prepare Toothbrushes Toothpaste Baby formula Pop top lids on all canned foods Toilet Paper Paper Towels Dawn soap (Dawn only please) Clorox wipes/ bleach Mosquito sprays Towels (all sizes) Diapers Latex gloves 33 gallon trash bags Baby wipes Feminine products Deodorant First aid supplies (alcohol/band aids/Neosporin) Socks Ziploc bags- quart size New packs of underwear Thank you!