LODD- LaSalle Co- Peru PD K9 dog. While responding to an Armed Robbery incident 1849 hrs the handle was involved in a motor vehicle accident fatality injuring his partner Kali a female Belgian Malinois. Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer and the Peru police Department in this tragic event.
66 comments:
My deepest sympathies to all on the police force. No greater sacrifice.
My compassion also goes out to the driver of the car who struck the police car, as I understand it was not ticketed and probably did not hear the sirens. I am sure it was horrific and they are feeling terrible about this terrible accident.
I'm not quite sure how to put this without sounding cold. But, was a high speed response necessary? Was the robbery still in progress or was the officer on the way to the store after the suspects already fled the area?
2:01 now is probably not the time to debate the response. I am sure the department will review the appropriateness of sending that unit. My friend is a police officer and worked with a k 9 partner. SPCA had some guidelines since the animals cannot be safely restrained with belts like people. Its very hard to limit a unit because high speed response is so unpredictable and truthfully very necessary.
Just so sad because they are such dedicated and loyal companions, but we must also be thankful her human partner did not die. The officer may need some time and counseling as well, they are very close teams.
That is second drug K9 loss this week-first Streator now Peru. Two communities that desperately need K9 assistance.
Does the drug fund have monies left to purchase another K9 since funds have been used quite regularly over the past year? BB fun club, outdoor shooting range, decked out four wheeler, etc?
The "drug fund?" give me a break. The police should be enforcing real laws. Not busting pot hawlers on I-80.
2:01- if it was you with a gun to your head, you would want a quick response.
7:10 - step back and liston to the question. Was the robbery still in progress? Or, was the officer racing to the seen after the robbers already left? If it is ture that the robbers already left the area, then the officer was WRONG, is responsible for killing the dog, and causing damage to public and private property, and endangering public safety.
6:33
I am not debating duties of law enforcement officers; I simply questioned the balance of the drug enforcement fund.
I believe the AR 15's were also paid for from the drug enforcement account-I am curious if there is approx. $15,000.00 left for a new K9?
My question is simple and can easily be answered. How many officers were dedicated to the patrol of Peru at this time versus the number who were at the concert. Coming down 251 we were directed west on 38th by an officer in a yellow shirt and short length trousers, was he on Peru patrol duty? A Peru patrol car was nearby so it was not an esda person.
I guess what I want to know is how many patrol cars were responding to the scene of the robbery.
No matter what your occupation is or the importance of your mission you still maintain the responsibility of having your vehicle under control.
9:30 really? Let the facts come out please before you assume the officer did anything wrong. Police chases and responses often involve risk, and if it is judged that the officer placed any one at risk unnecessarily they will be disciplined.
But from all accounts his car was not out of control, it was hit by a motorist who was not yielding the right of way to an emergency vehicle.
The only facts you have at your disposal is the fact that a valued and likely loved partner was killed in the line of duty, and that officer must deal with that. We can forget the police and Peru hating blogs for a little while, can't we? I rip on them all the time for their blind loyalty to this admin and all kinds of things, but now is not the time.
10:51 PM
I do agree now is not the time because there is now a lot of healing to be done and that comes first.
7:47 Really? You're really debating this? Is a quick response not necessary to try to catch the robbers? Doesn't matter if the robbery was still in progress or over, they still need to try to catch them before they hold up another innocent civilian. You should listen to what was already disclosed, both the officer and the citizen were driving appropriately for the given situation, and for once, try to use your brain. Let's let the cops do their job and let the anonymous bloggers do theirs.
Nobody has confirmed if the robbery was still in progress when the accident happened. If it was, then the officer was justified in speeding through the intersection. If the robbery was not in progress and the suspects have fled the scene, what is the hurry? Why risk life and limb? I presume a description of the vehicle was broadcast???
I see that the garbage cans that were removed from our parks by city workers have been relocated as of today. Obviously they were removed by city workers, taken to the airport for the concert, and returned to our parks by city workers. Is this kind of cost to the city (man hours) charged to the promoter of the concert?
Anon 9:51 The fact remains that if there has been a accident someone did not have their automobile under control. I to feel sorry for all involved.
to much overkill with police department . just like today 3 SQUARD CARS TO PULL OVER 1 CHINEES MAN ON BIKE ON RT.251 NORTH BOUND ! This is over kill . just like flying through intersections ! MOST OLDER PEOPLE CAN'T HERE GOOD OR SEE GOOD ..
I think it is great that the News Trib dug up the fact that other Verizon stores would be providing inventory to the Peru store! Excellent news gathering and reporting. Oh, they also mentioned something about an excellent video taken of the robbers. Why don't they post a picture of these thugs on their web sight????
We need to put up a big billboard on I-80 saying that Peru is a Crime Free Zone.
Alonso Quijana, also Peru has increased in number of undesirables recently by one. Do you think that we need to include this on your big billboard. I had a hunch that Peru was going in the wrong direction but why do we have to have someone who is so negative come here from somewhere else. Can't we attract a few winners instead of losers!
You still have to yield at an intersection and make sure it is clear before you go through. Yes the other driver did not yield to the emergency vehicle, but the patrol car did not slow down to clear the intersection.
839 "the patrol car did not slow down to clear the intersection"---Can you say that with 100% certainty? I think not.
I wonder how fast the car that hit the police car was going. It looks like a lot of damage for an area that people should be driving about 25 MPH thru an intersection.
Is there a meeting this week on Wednesday? There is no agenda posted on the website for a regular meeting but one for finance and W&S committee.
8:39 it would seem they did not need to turn over the accident investigation to the state police. You have it all figured out, and are ready to assign full blame to the police officer. Why don't they just call you?
Now there might be something to questioning the manpower allocations that evening, wondering why a k9 unit was responding to an armed robbery, etc. But your rush to judgement on a split second accident is both inappropriate and simply wrong. Standard procedure is NOT to slow down to make sure the intersection is clear during emergency response. Avoidance and visual checks are required, and I have no idea why the lights were not automatically changed as the police car approached ... I assume we have transponder technology in our police cars and ambulances. But let's wait til you can FOIA the state police report on the accident before you pill your almighty Peru Taxpayer status.
Mr. 8:35
Peru has been attracting white Anglo losers since the early 1800’s. Your fear of outside influences and outsiders borders on paranoia. The world is a big place full of big ideas. One thing it does not have room for is the bigotry – like yours - that is prevalent in the Illinois Valley. Yet we make strides. You would be advised Sir, to come to terms with the fact that people with Latino sounding names will become more and more relevant in this area. As the white Anglo baby boomers age and die off, they are being replaced by a more vibrant community of Latino decent. Cada generación necesita una nueva revolución.
It's a 45 mph zone, not 25.
Come on people. I'm not blaming either the officer or the other party but which one do you really think was going the fastest? The officer was responding to a robbery. I'm pretty sure if the other party were speeding that fast they would be ticketed. Has anyone even heard how that person or persons are doing and if they were hurt any?
Lois ? how much do we pay partime city workers to work till 9 at these central state games ? and why ? they can't get everything dune during the day shift ?
A PERU TAXPAYER !!!
9:20 PM
Can you tell me please what the city workers were doing til 9 in the evening?
Anon 5:36 There is no expression of fear, paranoia or bigotry by Mr. 8:35. The examples of each that you are accusing others of exhibiting in the Illinois Valley are only expressed by yourself,
"white anglo baby boomers", "more vibrant community of Latin decent".
Quijana I have looked back to all comments you have made and replies made to you and find that these comments are made to you as a individual. As for the Mr. it is just one more of your own prejudices because you incorrect on that one also.
Anon 10:15 Good question! Is their a possibility that with the new man in charge as of last Monday that part time city workers are eliminating general labor overtime with flexible shifts and scheduling hours as the work is there. For example come to work at 2PM to prepare the diamonds and park area for a four o'clock game,go home at 4 and half the crew come back at 6PM to prepare the diamond for a second game and than go home until the next day at 8PM the other half of the starting crew comes until 10PM for general surrounding area clean up. The part time workers should not be a union policy problem as they should not be organized.
Staggering starting times of shifts is another efficient method to be looked at for city personnel.
The possibility of a time clock could also increase efficiency and payback for very little cost. What probationary period has been set up for the new P.E.
I heard the Union Rat is at Crazy D's. Also, why is it that it takes years for the City to tear down a building but a private developer can "git er done" in a few days? And no talk of asbestos either!
8:16 This is 9:56 p.m. Rt. 251 is a 45 mph zone. I asked what the speed was of the driver who hit the police car. Weren't they on 36th Street going west into the intersection. I think that area is 25 mph speed limit.
5:36 I would have to agree that your post is one of the most racist, bigoted posts I have seen. Do not know why such garbage is plowed on the blog.
First thing one learns in drivers Ed is to drive defensively. Is like the lasalle ambulance that was in a accident recently. Possibly driving way too fast and not driving defensively. It is terrible how fast fire trucks, ambulances and police cars go. They aren't above the law. And yes, I know they respond to calls over the speed limit, but they should take caution. I've seen these vehicles going at 40-60 mph in residential areas. So wrong. Kids on bikes, kids playing in yards that could easily run into street. Yes, accidents do happen, but in a lot of instances could have been avoided.
Union rat at crazy d's ? Intriguing, why not a union rat at the airport when stage crews set up stage???????? How many police officers paid for concert? How many fireman at concert? City pay police officers? Or concert promotor? Who paid fireman? Liberty fire company((fundraising organization for the fire department)? Or concert promotor? Taxpayers should be pissed if Liberty Fire paid fireman because those are donations donated for fire purposes for equipment SUPPOSEDLY. Who can a answer these questions.
Alderman Perez would be a perfect person to answer questions in regards to the fd. Taxpayers don't have a clue what's paid out from the Liberty Fire Company's account. On many occasions questions from bloggers have asked about this account. Someone was saying that liberty pays the volunteer fireman monthly depending on how many fire calls each fireman goes to. . If so, and if liberty paid fireman for concert from this account, we taxpayers won't know, unless someone answers truthfully. This same person said the four full-time fire engineers are city employees as are the fire chief and assistant fire chief(both of whom get another check paid by liberty for fire calls that they go on. 5:14 has valid questions in which simple answers should be made public.
Of most importance in the dtermination of driving practices in emergency situations would be what are the general guidelines of the PPD? Most times in a emergency the person must use his best jugement. Unfortunetly last Saturday the unforseen took place and Peru had Kali taken from us but thankfully no others.
As time moves on a review of the guidelines of the PPD will occur and our prays are that this does not happen again. The individual officer involved was protecting us all in the line of duty and deserves our best wishes in this difficult time. God bless Kali and Officer Art Smith
Still no pictures of the robbers. The Chief said they had very good video evidence. Why not pictures in the newspaper or city web sight?
We need to discuss the real cause of this accident. These young men where simply trying to better themselves through the only path they had available. Business owners are bent on taking a disproportionate amount in the form of profit, and the government lets them get away with it. The government should be taking more from business owners and giving it to the less fortunate. Either that, or the government should force business owners to maintain a minimum number of employees. Business owners should not be allowed to take profits over 10% of the lowest paid employee. That makes everyone equal. These poor kids where simply trying to get what was theirs. Address the problem not the symptom. Businesses need to distribute more money.
well lois not sure ! one was walking back n fourth to shed like he owned the ball dimond , then ridding around on 4 wheel cart . maybe you could ask him . he's the oldest grass partime cutter we have in the park . the game was going on maybe fixing field between innings . i don't really no, thats why i asked .
There is a meeting tonight (Wednesday) just saw it posted on the web. Another closed session? Come on!!!!
5:33 PM
Certainly the blog does not endorse your comment or believe there is any truth to it. Many of the readers of the blog were raised by parents during the depression who either had no job or if lucky they had a low paying menial job and they did not resort to criminal behavior. There is no excuse.
And that belief has been carried over into the 40's and 50's.
It is only recently that thee are some people who believe they deserve "things".
Lois: well said! 5:33 comment is perfect example of socialism at its finest, which infringes on liberty, one of our constitutional rights.
Justin,
There is no such thing as Constitutional rights. Refer to the Bill Of Rights for a proper definition. Socialism is not referenced in the Constitution or the Bill of rights. However you do have a freedom of speech and that is reference in the Bill of Rights. You definition of the Constitution is your choice, however it has nothing to do with socialism or the definition of liberty.
The 8th grade has a section of this in the local schools. Your high school civics class would further define the Bill of Rights.
Is social security a form of socialism, unemployment, health care, public aid, taxes
2:24-Socialism doesn't need to be mentioned in the constitution, all I did was assign a name to the actions 5:33 is describing. I find it laughable that you think a constitution in a country with a democracy has nothing to do with the definition of liberty or civil liberties. I do believe the 8th grade course is calling your name...
Each one of our amendments, especially the bill of rights, are referred to as civil liberties.
Justin: I feel your frustration. I don't understand how people in this country don't understand the core, founding document of this nation, and then for them to insult your intelligence when they are in the wrong is another fruitless low blow. Now I know what people are going to say: "if he can't take a few jabs from anonymous bloggers then he shouldn't be involved in local government". To them I say, we need to question an individuals policies, not their intelligence. With insults like that from people who don't have the guts to sign their name, is it any surprise we don't have solid, quality candidates running for office? I, for one, would feel insulted as a politician working for people who don't understand the constitution of the United States
Lois
any answers to 9:27 am question ? seems like alot of money going out the window foe city employs to be at ball game ? one of blecks buddys !!!!!!
None 5:33 Please do not run for political office. Our town has enough nuts representing it!
Anon 4:08 Do you think it is efficient business to keep Bleck on the job to train the new P.E.? Everyone must realize that the Mayor does not want any changes within the public works department. These are now his union brothers and he had more union backing than anyone was to know about. Wonder why?
To 5:33AM --- YOU ARE STUPID!!!!
There are a few tea party,, pro business total idiots who get on these blogs and try to pass off their blogs as serious commentary by socialists. It seems you all , including Lois, fall for it every single time.
5:33 was not serious, anytime you see someone saying that business should give there money away, or Peru should give money to Oglesby, or Obama wants to make rich people give money to poor people, its one of these IV Neo Conservative idiots trying to make fools out of all of you, as they type away wearing there I Love Guns, God, and hate Obama T shirts (which I believe was invented in the Illinois Valley).
Such average sized fish in such a tiny tiny pond...
Anon 10:03 If this is 5:33's way of making the death of Officer Kali's a practical joke I feel very sorry for that individual for having such a limited and sick mind.
10:03 your comment of "Such average sized fish in such a tiny tiny pond" reminds me of the fact that people such as yourself exist only as and for being the biggest bottom suckers in the pond.
Anon 5:33 and Anon 10:03 I do hope that either or both of you slip up and voice your opinion to the wrong person some day and get what you deserve, eating your next six months of meals by means of a straw. This is better than both of you deserve.
11:13 10:03 here, if spewing such vitriol makes you feel better more power to you. I was referring to the alleged big fish in this area who always mock the blog. The ones who post as if they are crazy people wanting no government, no taxes, no social programs.
5:33 was mocking everyone with their post. I was mocking only 5:33. For that you want to punch me out? Maybe you are voicing your opinion to the wrong dude.
11:13. KARMA
I meant karma happens in due righteousness to those who so get what they deserve eventually 11:13.
Although I too am saddened with the tragic loss which not only affects Officer Smith and the department but also our community that is now less safe.
5:33 was somewhat accurate that we as a community must ponder if this is a symptom or disease within the management of the Police Department. Are PD resources, at no fault to the officers, being over-extended and poorly allocated (symptom) by the Chief and the Mayor for private events instead of protecting the community and businesses as a whole (disease)?
Are officers ordered to work the concert and dispatched from the airport in the event of an emergency? Did Peru FD cover the accident or mutual aid?
These are are reasonable questions since so many within the department may continue to be affected and
the City (taxpayer) is responsible to replace Kali, the squad car, possible civil suits, etc.
Only God prevented this from being a funeral...
The smaller the fish the bigger the lie.
2:50 PM
I agree with you as do others and maybe even some in the PPD. But it is like this the Chief of Police is a political appointee, appointed by the mayor of Peru. The mayor loves the concerts and the notorioty (debatable) that it brings to the city. I believe that they believe that they are reaping all the profits with very little work plus pictures for the political scrapbook are being generated with well known people for future reference.
Our chances of having an intelligent debate about the pros and cons of this concert are nil.
It is quite evident that the residents of Peru are not seeing and enjoying the concert like the council and mayor are doing.
Alcohol and maybe drugs are being condoned. Who is checking the drivers before they go onto our streets and highways.
Alcohol is legal. Drugs are illegal and should not be condoned. It is illegal to supply underage children with alcohol or allow them to loiter in areas where a liquor license is granted to sell alcohol. If this law is being broken and ignored it would be best to make it a subject of public comment at city council meetings. Because there is a benefit to individuals in charge to allow the breaking of a law does not make the practice any more legal. In the city of Peru you need a program to tell the difference from the legalize and the criminals.
It must be remembered that if drugs are condoned at the airport concerts the aftermath of them will be here a lot longer than the concerts. Does anyone believe that the $500K was a once and only time happening at the airport.
Hasn't it ever dawned upon our Peru politicians what they are really advertising this airport and locality as.
It has not been that many years ago that Peru had a Mayor who had continuous development taking place in Peru. Along with this development he made sure that buildings were not left empty behind the new buildings.
What is the reason that we are not having any new business buildings constructed and the builings that are being vacated are no longer being occupied with new businesses.
Mayor Baker and IVACC were on the constant move getting accomplished what Mayor Harl, Vickery, MRC and the Springfield Lobbyist can't and they still have the help of IVACC. Has anyone thought of asking Don Baker for ideas and assistance in recruiting businesses - industrial and retail. Looking at what the progress that Peru has had in the last five years and what development it had previous to these years I would say the Old Mayor forgot more than what this group knows or ever will know. Don't believe it just take a ride north on 251. Of course if you want to talk concerts and turning a multi million dollar airport into a Country and Western Show, one night businesses and one night jobs for local people the present administration has no equal.
Anonon 10:34 The City of Peru not only has Mayor Harl, Vickery, MRC, a Springfield Lobbyist and IVACC for the promotion of Peru.
It also has the Illinois Municipal League, and two local representatives one who has a office and staff in Peru and the other who has the same in Spring Valley.
Maybe a round table discussion of all the above mentioned would be a worthwhile investment of their time.
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