Law enforcement during COVID: Authorities across area witnessing changes

‘People are driving like lunatics.’”

Elizabeth Police Chief Scott Toot

GALENA–Local law enforcement agencies have been dealt a new ruffle to standard operating procedures and routines while patrolling the streets and keeping communities safe.

As of Monday, May 4, there has not been a major uptick in domestic calls across the county compared to normal. There have, however, been more calls for verbal confrontations in recent weeks as COVID-19 has shortened many people’s tempers.

Sheriff Kevin Turner said call volume has been down as a whole, but some changes have occurred over the course of the past month and a half. There have been many calls about large groups being gathered or kids at the playground.

Galena Police Chief Lori Huntington said it has been a weird few weeks as the call volume for the department has dropped considerably.

Huntington said there are days when there are very few calls and days when they are a bit busy, but it is not the typical number of phone calls.

Galena Police have not been called regularly to break up large gatherings.

Recently, police did have to go to Rec Park, but talked to the people and educated them about the stay-at-home order. She said most people are understanding.

“We have done a lot of business checks,” said Huntington. “It is one thing the officers can get out and do and limit contact with the public.”

Business checks involve the officers checking doors at businesses to ensure if they are locked. If they are not locked, the business is searched and the owner or keyholder is contacted to ensure the building is secured.

“Domestics have been up a little,” said Turner. “We have seen a lot more welfare checks on people, with mental health right now. I am sure it is terrible. There have been more suicidal subjects. Retail theft is also still going on.”

“Tempers are short, we have had a few verbal things we have responded to, but we try to get there before it gets out of hand,” said Huntington.

Huntington said Galena Police no longer go on ambulance calls, but are in the vicinity in case EMTs need help.

“I am trying to limit the exposure,” said Huntington. “We can’t afford to have anybody come down sick here.”

One change that has been made is law enforcement agencies returning to regular operations for traffic stops. Following the closure of traffic court in March, some agencies have begun picking up traffic patrol.

“People are driving like lunatics,” said Scott Toot, Elizabeth chief of police. “At first, we were backing off, but now we have the proper equipment and are starting to do more traffic stops again.”

Turner said law enforcement is still seeing drunk driving as a regular occurrence.

A typical traffic stop includes more gear for law enforcement officials than normal as officers are wearing gloves, N95 masks, face shields and disinfectant wipes.

Toot said he typically uses the disinfecting wipes on driver’s licenses and cleans them for 15 seconds, per product recommendation. He said some people don’t like it, but he is doing his best to keep himself safe.

Huntington said Galena Police regularly check to ensure all staff are properly equipped with personal protective equipment.

“We have had a lot of people step up to help by making us masks that we can put over our N95 masks,” said Huntington. “We want to thank the citizens who have donated and made the masks.”

Huntington said her policy is the officers must have goggles, face masks and gloves on when dealing with the public. The department also has gowns that they will use if they need to help the ambulance.

Turner said that all officers in the sheriff’s department were issued hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. The jail has been using cleaning solutions and have ordered more.

“We don’t have as many people in jail right now, so we can concentrate more on the people we do have in,” said Turner.

All employees and public visitors are screened when they enter the courthouse. As of May 1, anyone who enters the courthouse needs to wear a mask.

Galena Police Department has implemented temperature screening for all police officers. When an officer starts his or her shift, the temperature is screened. Another temperature reading is taken halfway through the shift. The police department offices are cleaned daily and the squads and uniforms are disinfected at the end of every shift

“We are all doing our best to make sure law and order is maintained,” said Toot.