Illinois State Police - Press Release

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Jonathon E. Monken - Acting Director

For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2011
9:31 a.m.

For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us

COLLINSVILLE, IL – Illinois State Police District 11 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Brad Parsons, announced a summary of District 11 activity for calendar year 2010. District 11 includes the counties of Madison, St. Clair, Clinton, Bond, and Monroe.

During 2010, District 11 handled 61,242 incidents. These incidents include, but are not limited to, traffic stops, calls for service, assisting motorists, crash investigations, and assisting other police agencies. District 11's commitment to keeping Illinois roadways and communities safe is demonstrated by the activity generated by District 11 Troopers. Troopers assisted 9,531 motorists and issued 24,863 citations and 13,757 warnings in 2010.

The Illinois State Police identifies the top five causes of fatal crashes as speeding, driving under the influence (DUI), not wearing seatbelts, following too closely, and improper lane usage. In an effort to combat the top five causes of fatal crashes, District 11 Troopers issued 9,994 citations and 4,461 warnings for speeding in 2010. Troopers also arrested 464 people for DUI and made 1,005 other alcohol related arrests. Improper lane usage and following to close accounted for 845 citations and 5,395 citations were issued for seatbelt/child restraint violations.

The Illinois State Police is also responsible for inspecting the commercial motor vehicles we share the road with everyday. During 2010 District 11 Troopers inspected 5,911 commercial motor vehicles and placed 1,105 of them out-of-service. Out-of-service violations range from equipment issues with the vehicle to improper actions of the driver of the vehicle.

Troopers investigated 3463 crashes in 2010. Roadways in District 11 witnessed 69 fatal crashes which included 74 deaths. City streets and state highways had the highest number of fatal crashes at 26 and 22 respectively. Interstate roadways accounted for 11 fatal crashes, county roads accounted for eight and U.S. highways accounted for two. Although the number of fatalities was up slightly from 2009, it was still a 15 percent decrease from the previous five year average.

District 11 Troopers made 2,234 criminal arrests during 2011. Arrests were made for, but not limited to, weapons charges, drug possession, domestic battery, and outstanding warrants. Drug arrests resulted in taking over 233 pounds of cannabis off the streets and seizing 91,610 dollars. Arrests and other activities resulted in Troopers completing 1,791 written reports.

District 11 Troopers also participated in the WAVE (Working Against Violent Elements) Task Force. WAVE focuses its efforts on combating violent crime in East St. Louis, Washington Park, and surrounding communities. WAVE is a collaboration of law enforcement officers from the Illinois State Police, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI), the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, the East St. Louis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the United States Marshals Service.

For 2011, District 11 will continue to focus on traffic enforcement, safety education, and traffic safety partnerships to make Illinois a safe place for our citizens and visitors.

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(See attached file: 2010Summary.pdf)