5 minute read
Oregon Police
Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle issued a statement Jan. 11 in response to the new state law banning the purchase, sale and manufacture of high-powered semi-automatic weapons, .50 caliber rifles and ammunition and large-capacity magazines.
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker signed the ban into law Jan. 10, making it take effect immediately. Current owners of such weapons won’t be required to surrender them. However, gun owners will have to register them with the Illinois State Police – including serial numbers.
VanVickle issued this statement:
“As your sheriff, I wanted to give the residents of Ogle County an update on the recent passage of HB 5471, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act. As your duly elected sheriff, myself and my staff are sworn to protect the citizens of Ogle County. This oath and responsibility is taken with the utmost seriousness.
“When I was sworn into office, I accepted the duty to protect the rights provided to all of us in the Constitution. One of those enum e r a t e d r i g h t s i s the right of the people to keep and bear a r m s p r o v i d e d u n d e r t h e S e c o n d a m e n d m e n t . T h e right to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the people.
“I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Therefore, as the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Ogle County, proclaim that neither myself or my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we be arresting or housing individuals that have been charged solely with noncompliance of this act.”
Brian VanVickle
Sheriff’s department releases holiday enforcement numbers
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Department partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement across the state for the holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign from Dec. 16 through Jan. 2.
Ogle County Sheriff’s deputies issued 129 citations for violations by motorists. The citations included the following offenses:
Five arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol; eight arrests for driving with no driver’s license (revoked/ suspended/no valid); 65 citations for speeding; 18 citations for registration violations; 10 citations for improper lane use; seven citations for no insurance; one citation for no seat belt; one citation for illegal transportation of alcohol; one arrest for a misdemeanor cannabis violation; six citations for other traffic offenses.
“We can’t stress this enough: Impaired driving is illegal, potentially deadly behavior, and it puts the driver, passengers and all road users at risk,” Sheriff Brian VanVickle said. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign helps our law enforcement officers address this problem head on. If you use any impairing substance, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, in 2020, a total of 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020, with one person killed in an alcohol-related crash every 45 minutes in 2020.
The holiday enforcement campaign is administered by IDOT with federal highway safety funds managed by NHTSA.
OREGON POLICE
Oregon Police Chief Joe Brooks reports the following police activity.
Jan. 9
Jeana N. Boeck, 41, of Polo, was issued a citation at 12:45 p.m. for no valid driver’s license. This violation occurred in the 1300 block of Koontz Place.
Jeremy L. Hitchcock, 39, of Oregon, was issued citations at 1:13 p.m. for operating a vehicle when registration is suspended for no insurance and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle. These violations occurred in the 100 block of N. River Road.
Jan. 10
Ceasar Rodriguez-Moncada, 40, of Freeport, was arrested at 5:36 a.m. for no valid driver’s license. Rodriguez-Moncada was transported to the Ogle County Jail.
Jan. 11
Katlyn I. M. Diers, 19, of Janesville, Wisconsin, was arrested at 11:40 p.m. for improper container as a driver. Diers was transported to the Ogle County Jail.
See OREGON POLICE, Page 16
BRIEF
Illinois Sheriffs’ Association warns of new phone scam
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is alerting area residents of a telephone solicitation scam in which you are asked to make a contribution to the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association to help fight the “Assault Weapons Ban.”
The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office shared this from the sheriffs’ association: “Please ignore these calls! Do not give your financial information. The ISA never solicits by telephone! We only send out mail pieces, address membership on our social media and our website! Please tell your loved ones, parents and neighbors. The phone number used was 224-324-3356, Cook County, Illinois. When you call it, it states the “Fundraising Center.”
SPECIAL EVENT
Recycle your electronics Jan. 27 in Oregon; free permits required in advance
The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) will host a residential electronics recycling event on Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.
This event is for Ogle County residents only and a free permit is required in advance of the event.
To obtain a free permit call 815-732-4020 or email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov by 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26.
Accepted items include all televisions and computer monitors, computers, computer hardware and cables, laptops, tablets, cellphones, printers, FAX machines, scanners, shredders (no tubs), copiers, video gaming equipment, DVD/VCRs, cable/satellite boxes, stereo equipment, radios, digital clocks, cameras, calculators, phone systems, holiday light strands, extension cords, rechargeable batteries, printer ink cartridges, CD/DVDs and CFL bulbs. Microwave ovens are accepted for $5 per unit. Cash or check are accepted.
There is a limit of seven large or bulky items per permit and one permit per county household per month.
Business or institutional electronic materials are not accepted at these events.
For more information about this recycling event, call the OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, visit www.oglecounty.org or on Facebook at Ogle County Solid Waste Management Dept.
