Waukegan police have unveiled a new app intended to keep residents alerted to police matters, and make it easy for people to report crime tips anonymously.
Developed by a company called tip411, the app is available via Google Play, the iTunes app store or via the police website at waukeganil.gov/police.
“The main goal of the Waukegan police department is to create and maintain a safe, secure environment for all Waukegan residents and businesses,” Interim Police Chief Edgardo Navarro said. “We strive to accomplish this goal through proactive community programs designed to prevent crime and efficient, thorough investigations of crime.
“We believe empowering the community to submit anonymous tips with our new Waukegan PD app will be a good tool to keep our community safe,” he said.
The app will allow users to send tips anonymously to police, and will also give the police the capability to communicate with tipsters. There is no way that police will be able to determine the identity of someone who sends in a tip.
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can still send tips to police through your phone’s texting function. People should use the keyword WPDTIP and send their message to 847411. Anonymous web tips can also be submitted via the department’s website.
Correctional officer injured
A Lake County jail inmate is facing additional charges after he wrestled with correctional officers, injuring one, authorities said.
The March 1 incident started when a correctional officer came to the cell of Jim Ayala, 21, to bring him to court for an appearance. When the officer opened the cell door, Ayala attacked him, according to the sheriff’s office.
Ayala tried to grab the officer’s Taser, and then threw a spare cartridge from the weapon at the officer’s head, reports said. As Ayala ran away, another officer tackled him. He was subdued and returned to his cell. The officer who tackled Ayala sustained a knee injury, police said.
Ayala was charged with several felonies, including attempted escape and aggravated assault. He appeared in court on March 4, where his bail was increased to $250,000 from the previous $50,000.
He was arrested Feb. 15 in connection with a domestic violence incident, police said.
“This is yet another example of the everyday dangers our correctional officers face,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Something as simple as transporting an inmate to a court hearing resulted in the inmate cowardly attacking. Now, the inmate faces numerous additional years in prison for his foolish actions. We wish our injured correctional officer a speedy recovery.”
Asked to leave
Sheriff’s office detectives were asked to leave a Beach Park residence this week while officers were there investigating a gunfire incident.
Police said they were in the 38000 block of North Manor Avenue, where occupants of a car had earlier opened fire at a residence. Police said no one was injured by the gunfire.
While processing the scene and talking with the residents, police were asked to leave by the victims and told to not come back unless they obtained a search warrant.
Despite the lack of cooperation, police said they will continue to investigate the incident.
St. Patrick’s patrols
St. Patrick’s Day is fast approaching, and police are warning they will be out in force on and around March 17 on the hunt for motorists who may have imbibed a little too much.
“In addition to looking for alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers, we will be stepping up seat-belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat-belt usage rates are lowest,” Waukegan police said in a social media post. “Speeding, distracted driving and other traffic laws will also be strictly enforced.”
The period of enhanced enforcement was scheduled to run from March 11-18.
