DANVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT FAQ'S

Our Location
We are located at 2 E. South street, Danville, Illinois
1 Block east of the Danville Civic Center, just south of Town Center.

Filing a Report
Reports can be filed in several ways, depending upon type of report. On any report a complainant can come to the Police Department and file it at the inquiry desk. A complainant can also call the police department and request that an officer come to their location (providing it is in the city limits) to file the report. In cases where there is a scene and evidence, such as a residential burglary or traffic accident, it is best to call the police to respond as soon as possible. Accident reports where there is damage over $500 should always be taken at the scene with the vehicles present. On minor accidents where there is no injury nor controversy as to how the accident occurred, or accidents on private property, the drivers can complete the report themselves by coming to the Police Department and obtaining the proper forms, If there are any questions relating to filing the report, the complainant can always contact the Danville Police Department at the non emergency number for assistance. 217-431-2250.

Missing Persons
Missing persons reports are filed as any other report. It is preferred that the complainant come to the
department to file the report at the inquiry window but the complainant may have an officer respond to their
residence to complete the report. A photo of the missing person is also requested to be filed with the report.

Order of Protection
Orders of Protection relate to domestic violence whereas an individual is victimized by a family member or other individual living in the same household or where a relationship has been established. The abuse can be either physical, mental, or simply harassment. The Orders are issued by the court upon a petition filed by the victim. Prior to filing a petition a police report should be made by the victim detailing the crime or abuse. The victim can either file the petition at the Vermilion County Circuit Clerk's office in person or through an attorney. If the victim does not wish to use an attorney or needs help in filing it, he or she can contact the women's shelter at the YWCA and request assistance. They will provide an advocate to assisting in obtaining the order.

Obtaining a copy of a Police Report

 Copies of Police reports may be picked up in person from the Public Safety Building, 2 East South Street, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Fees are $1.00 for an incident report and $5.00 for an accident report. We accept cash or personal check - exact amount required. Call 431-2250 if you have any questions.

Child Restraint Law
CURRENT ILLINOIS LAW:
Illinois' new "Booster Law" went into effect January 1st, 2004. In most cases, it is now illegal to transport an unrestrained child in Illinois. The Child Passenger Protection Act requires that all children up to their 8th birthday must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system (a carseat or booster that meets NHTSA safety standards). Safety belts are designed for adults and quite often do not fit young children appropriately. A booster seat can reduce severs injuries and fatalities in children typically between the ages of 4 and 8 by boosting the child up off the vehicle seat and allowing the vehicle's safety belt to fit properly. A booster seat allows the shoulder harness to rest across the hard surfaces of the body and keeps the shoulder harness from riding up on the child's neck and throat. This appropriate fit allows the lap belt to be positioned low on the child's hips and not across his/her stomach. A lap and shoulder belt that des not fit appropriately can cause additional injury and/or fatality to a child in a crash. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 2 to 14 years, a fact that can be linked, at least in part, to the reality that most children are unbuckled or improperly restrained in vehicles. Fines for violating the new law are $50 for a first time violation and $100 for subsequent violations. Children between 8 and 16 years old must be seated in a seatbelt, according to the previous law that went into effect January 1, 2002. Remember, these are primary moving violations, you can be stopped and ticketed if a child is observed to be improperly restrained in your vehicle.
For more information visit the Seatcheck website!

Visiting Hours for Inmates
Inmates are allowed 1 visit per week. Visits are limited to 20 minutes and up to four people may visit at one time. Clergy are welcome anytime with Vermilion County Sheriff's Department ID. To obtain a Clergy ID or for any questions, please call 217-442-4080 Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Visiting hours for inmates detained at the Vermilion County Jail are as follows:
Male inmates: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Saturday
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Sunday
Female inmates: 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Wednesday
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Sunday

Bicycle License
Bicycle licenses may be obtained at no charge from the Danville Police Department, 2 E. South Street. Please bring color, serial number, and name brand. Registered bicycles are much more likely to be returned in the event of a theft. Please protect your investment by registering your bicycle.

How do I report an accident?
When you call the Police to report an accident, you will be asked several questions. These questions help the Dispatcher and/or Call Taker send the necessary Emergency Response Units to assist An example of the questions which may be asked when reporting an accident are as follows:
Are there any injuries?
What is the location?
How many vehicles are involved?
Have you moved the vehicles?
Are both vehicles still there?
If the other vehicle has left the scene, can you give me a description of the vehicle and driver?
Accidents happen and when they do, you should notify the Police Department. There are important things to do when you are involved in an accident.
Check for injuries.
Confirm the location of the accident
Call the Police - Emergency 911 or Non-Emergency (217)431-2250
You may need to move the vehicles to a safe location
Exchange information -vehicle and insurance information.
While you wait for the Officer to arrive, it is important to be patient and keep safe. Be careful of traffic as it passes by. If the other driver is upset, it is important to allow the Police to investigate the accident and not to have a disagreement at the scene.
Types Of Accidents
There are several types of accidents. Accidents with injuries of course are considered a priority for Emergency Response. Accidents with no injuries are also important; It is important to not become an additional hazard at the scene. Make certain you careful of the passing traffic around you at an accident scene. Hit and Run Accidents require an Officer to investigate the incident and attempt to located the unknown driver and vehicle. Without important detailed information, it is difficult for the Officer to apprehend the driver. When reporting a Hit and Run Accident, any information regarding paint transfers is very helpful. The Police want to assist in solving the accident, so as much information as possible is always helpful. Often the Hit and Run Accident is discovered many days or weeks after the accident has occurred. If you are coming into the Department to report this you need to have the vehicle with you. Generally when an accident occurs on private property and there are no injuries or circumstances which would require police presence and the parties involved are willing to exchange information; the Police do not need to respond to investigate the accident. If there are circumstances which would require police presence, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 and the police will respond. You should exchange your name, address and insurance information with the other party. You will then need to go into the Danville Police Department, 2 E. South Street, to file an individual accident report. Depending on the amount of the damage, you may also have to file a State Police Accident Report. You have 10 (ten) days to return your accident to the Police Department. You will want to keep a copy of the accident for your insurance company before you turn the accident report into the Police. Drivers should exchange the following information:
Name
Address
Home and work phone numbers
Driver's license information
License number of vehicle
Make, year and model of vehicle
Insurance information
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The law on Tinted Windows
The State of Illinois has several laws pertaining to tinted windows and glazing. The law is as follows: For Reference: The law is located in the ILCS 5/12 Section 503 Windshields and safety glazing material in motor vehicles Guidelines are: Front Windshield -Can be tinted 6 inches from the top. 4Dr vehicle: Rear side windows may be tinted. Front Driver and Passenger Door- NO tinting allowed. If the Rear windows are all tinted in a van, the van must be equipped with dual mirrors. Vehicles 1982 or older are not covered by this law.

Curfew Laws
Section 1(b) of Act 555 of Chapter 720 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. The Curfew is: between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Saturday; between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Sunday; and between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday, inclusive and 6:00 a.m. on the following day EXCEPTIONS: When accompanied and supervised by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible companion at least 18 years of age approved by a parent or legal guardian or unless engaged in business or occupation which the law of this State authorized a person less that 17 years of age to perform.

Road Conditions
You may call the Illinois State Police Department for up to the minute Road conditions at 1-800-452-4368 or by clicking here.

What time must the bars close?
For all liquor licenses except class AA - No liquor may be sold in the City of Danville: Monday through Friday between the hours of 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., on Saturday between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., on Sunday between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Monday.
-For class AA (such as motels), No liquor may be sold in the City of Danville Monday - Saturday between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and on Sunday between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Domestic Violence
See - Reporting a crime

What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault: A person commits a sexual assault when they intentionally or knowingly commit sexual acts to another person and it is committed against that person's will.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you should...

Report the crime as soon as possible by calling 9-1-1.
If medical assistance is needed call 9-1-1
Describe as much as possible about the attacker.
Preserve all physical evidence. Do not take a bath, wash or change clothes or linens. Do not touch anything handled by the attacker.
You may need a medical examination.
Be sure to take clean clothing to wear after the examination. Clothing worn during the attack will be turned over to the police for laboratory analysis.
Filing A Complaint
An Officer will respond and take the complaint. A medical examination may be requested. It is important to notify the Police as soon as possible.


What is Robbery?
A person commits robbery when he or she takes property, except a motor vehicle covered by Section 18-3 or 18-4, from the person or presence of another by the use of force or by threatening the imminent use of force.
During An Actual Robbery
The victim should attempt to remember the following precautions:
You should remain as calm as possible as you do not wish to increase the possibility of violence.
Avoid making any sudden movements which may be misunderstood.
Do not offer to provide items that are not specifically requested.
Make a mental note of the suspect's description (sex, race, age, clothing)
If the suspect uses a vehicle, note the description of the vehicle and the license plate number.
After The Robber Has Left
If possible, prevent/restrict entrance of others to the location.
Don't touch or move any evidence.
If the location is secure; call 911.
Try to keep all the witnesses there at the scene until the police can interview them.
Write down a complete description of the suspect, weapon, if any, and vehicle used.
Try to list all the property taken, along with serial numbers when possible. Remember, your assistance in providing the responding officer with as much information as possible will assist in the speedy apprehension and arrest of the offender.

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What is Fraud?
There are various forms of fraud. When you look into the definitions of fraud, (720 ILCS 5/17-6 through 5/17B-15 you will see various forms of fraud ranging from Promotion of Pyramid sales schemes (720 ILCS 5/17-7) to Public aid wire fraud (720 ILCS 5/17-9). Fraud commonly occurs on the telephone. You should always be cautious when a telephone solicitor requests your money and or your credit card number. Fraud often occurs in home improvement schemes. It is advisable to know your contractor and verify his credentials with the local chamber of commerce or City Clerk who usually will have a list of licensed businesses. If you are a victim of fraud, you need to report this to the police. Gather all the information together to assist the officer in their investigation. Any information about the suspect or suspect's vehicles will also be helpful.

What is Forgery?
A person commits forgery when, with intent to defraud, he knowingly:
Makes or alters any document apparently capable of defrauding another in such manner that it purports to have been made by another or at another time, or with different provisions, or by authority of one who did not give such authority; or
Issues or delivers such document knowing it to have been thus made or altered; or possesses, with intent to issue or deliver, any such document knowing it to have been thus made or altered. An intent to defraud means an intention to cause another to assume create, transfer, alter or terminate any right, obligation or power with reference to any person or property.
A document apparently capable of defrauding another includes, but is not limited to, one by which any right, obligation or power with reference to any person or property may be created, transferred, altered or terminated.
Sentence. Forgery is a Class 3 felony. 720 ILCS 5/17-3
To Report A Forgery
Either bring the item into the Danville Police Department or call the non-emergency number 217-431-2250 to report this to the police. If a forged document is a check and there are a series of checks which have been stolen, you need to notify your bank as soon as you have discovered the forgery. Bring the original forged item into the police as this will be needed for an incident investigation to begin.

Criminal Background Check
Criminal Background checks may be obtained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A picture ID is required.


Juvenile Offenders
 When a person commits a criminal offense a person is considered a juvenile in Illinois until the person turns 17 years of age. Juveniles arrested face the same book-in process as an adult. How a juvenile is processed depends on the crime a juvenile is charged. There are some crimes where a juvenile can be charged as an adult. If it is determined the juvenile if a danger to the community or a flight risk they juvenile may be detained. Many times a juvenile is charged with an offense and then released to the custody of his or her parents or guardian pending the filing of a Juvenile Petition in Court. Even though 17 is the age when a juvenile is prosecuted as an adult, his parents are still responsible for him until he/she turns 18. There are certain
serious offenses where a juvenile 15-16 are automatically prosecuted as a adult.

Telephone Harassment
See "Reporting a Crime"

Bonding Information
Bond amounts may be obtained by calling the Circuit Clerk's Office at 217-431-2542 or the Vermilion County Sheriff's Department at 217-442-4080. Bonds may be posted at the Vermilion County Court House, Circuit Clerk's office at 7 N. Vermilion, Danville IL. Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. After hours and weekend bonds may be posted at the Danville Police Department, 2 E. South Street, Danville, IL. Cash or Major Credit Cards Only
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Larry J. Thomason

    Director of Public Safety