ALTON — Problem-solving took center stage at an Oct. 16 neighborhood meeting.
According to minutes of the meeting released by the Alton Police Department, residents brought up problems such as illegal burning, loud music from vehicles, rundown houses, speeding near a daycare center, teens hanging out at a vacant house and suspicious fires on Condit and McClure streets.
City representatives at the meeting included Police Chief Jason Simmons, 4th Ward Alderwoman Alice Martin and 7th Ward Alderman David Boulds.
Pfc. Emily Hejna reported the following:
- About $1,000 was raised for the Oasis Women’s Center at the Domestic Violence Awareness Walk Sept.18
- About $6,000 was raised to support the Alton Police Department’s canine officer program at the second annual K9 Classic Sept. 27
- The National Night Out Oct. 6 was a success and about 400 people attended.
- Alton offices will again participate in No Shave November to raise money for an unidentified local charitable organization. Officers donate $20 to not have to shave their beards for the month. Female administrative staff are allowed to participate as well; for their money they can dress down on Fridays. Last year the money was donated to the Crisis Food Pantry.
- Two officers are expected to graduate from the police academy in December but will have to undergo further training. They won’t be released to solo patrol until late February.
- The police department has a free drug collection service for Alton residents. Between the two sets of glass doors at the Police Station is a grey drop box that looks like a mail drop box to place expired and unused medications. They cannot accept liquids or needles. The police department is open 24 hours per day.
- Madison County has created a task force to attempt to combat heroin addiction. For information, email madcotaskforce@co.madison.il.us.
The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at Brown Street Baptist Church, 3125 Brown St. The meetings are free and open to the public. For information, call the Alton Police Department at (618) 463-3502.