Police department’s new resource just made O’Fallon a safer community. Find out how.

The O’Fallon Police Department will now have access to the National License Plate Reader Network when they make a traffic stop, which will aid in investigations.

A Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration and the city was recently signed.

The DEA created, manages and maintains the network, and allows law enforcement to search the license plate reader information. O’Fallon will be able to access it for investigating drug trafficking offenses, money laundering, other crimes, Amber alerts and Silver alerts.

Captain Dave Matavey of the O’Fallon Police Department said the real time access will provide greater public safety benefits.

“Having access to the LPR system also allows for officers to enter license plates of vehicles involved in criminal activity such as drug trafficking and other violent crime and then share, in real time, among other law enforcement agencies participating in the network,” he said.

Matevey said that previously, O’Fallon officers had access to traditional law enforcement computer systems.

“The biggest difference is that the traditional law enforcement systems and the LPR Program is that the ability to get real-time returns on any plate that passes a LPR camera,” he said. “As with any law enforcement computer system, we have strict policies on the use and dissemination of the information in those system.”

While the O’Fallon department hasn’t had such an agreement before, Matevey said the O’Fallon PD and the DEA have had a long-standing relationship, which has benefited the residents of O’Fallon.

Andree Swanson, public information officer for the DEA, St. Louis division, said their office has teamed with O’Fallon to combat drug traffickers for years.

“The DEA is committed developing strategies with our St. Louis Metro law enforcement partners in an effort to reduce drug and drug violence related crime,” said William Callahan, DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge.

The St. Louis Metro region covers two states with multiple municipalities and counties.

“The DEA LPR program allows for greater law enforcement collaboration by connecting participating agencies and sharing of information in real time for the benefit of public and officer safety,” Callahan said.

“When a law enforcement officer develops intelligence that a vehicle was used in a crime, entry of the vehicle information into the DEA LPR program will alert surrounding officers in an effort to speed up the time to solve the crime or prevent the threat to the public,” Callahan said.

The council also tackled the issue of signage, approving a proposed text amendment. Buildings located with frontage along Regency Park Drive, Central Park Drive, Central Park Circle, Park Plaza Drive, or within the developments known as The Four Points Center and The Shops at Richland Creek are allowed signage on four sides, except for properties along the aforementioned streets and developments that adjoin residentially zoned property.

This amendment will allow each establishment to have one wall sign facing an on or off-site parking lot or street frontage, up to a maximum of three wall signs.

The city has asked for the use of the right-of-way in front of the building at 227 W. First Street. The Community Development Committee has recommended installation of an accessible route and stairs into the building.

Owner Richard Huskey has applied for a Façade Improvement Grant to renovate the building. Improvements include complete renovation of the front façade, including an ADA ramp access. The plan indicates the ramp and stairs will encroach 3 feet, 9 inches into the sidewalk (right of way), which is 8 feet, by 9 inches wide and will allow for 5 feet of sidewalk to remain to meet ADA accessibility.

Businesses will be able to apply for raffle licenses if the council approves making a language change and updating the code of ordinances at the March 2 meeting. This reflects a change in the state statute on raffles and poker runs that went into effect July 1.

The council gave final approval to changing the reporting requirements for raffle license holders so they would have the same wording as the new state law.

The council also approved reducing the number of times per year someone must apply and receive approval to hold raffles, thus making it only one time per calendar year that they must submit for a raffle license. If it is a different raffle, not the same, then each application would be separate.

New business projects received final approval

A CC Food Mart, which includes a 5,925 square-foot convenience store with an attached car wash and 16 fuel pumps, has been OK’d. It is the first applicant for a commercial development at what is expected to be a thriving residential and commercial corner near the McKendree University Metro RecPlex at U.S. 50 and Scott-Troy Road. A company spokesman said it will be the 11th store for the family-owned business in Clinton County.

Jon Greenstreet, owner of Bike Surgeon at 201 E. Street St., received the go-ahead to expand his business to include sale of retail liquor and food for onsite consumption. He is remodeling the northwest corner of his business to include a kitchen and sitting area. He wants to have food and beverage service available to serve Downtown District customers for another socializing option.

An annexation agreement between the city and Tristar for further development of the MidAmerica Commerce Center has targeted 20 acres along Shiloh Valley Township Line Road has been greenlit. In that space, 20 acres will be zoned planned industrial and a neighboring 9 acres will remain agricultural.

Additional action from the city council

In other action, the council:

• Established a No Parking Zone inside of the curve on Red Hawk Ridge Lane between Orange Jewel Court and Grand Orchid Road. Vehicles parked in this area create a blind spot for vehicle traveling in each direction and they deemed it in the best interest of the residents.
• Added a new snow route to include Kings Ridge Boulevard, which is the entry road into the Witte Farms Estates subdivision.
• Approved donating surplus property, six Motorola portable radios, to the Cahokia Volunteer Fire Department.
• Approved a request from the Marine Corps League #74 to conduct a roadblock at the intersection of State and Lincoln on May 30 pending proof of Insurance.

City Clerk Jerry Mouser reminded residents that early voting for the March 17 Illinois Primary was available in St. Clair County, and to check the website for places and times.

This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 12:06 PM.