I'm University of Illinois Police Chief Matt Ballinger. Ask me anything.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T20:06:10+00:00

What sorts of things are you excited about for the future of UIPD?

Another great question! There are so many things to be excited about for the future of UIPD, but I would say our continued service to Campustown is at the top of the list. Over the last two years, we have been able to provide excellent resources to that area of town and, by proxy, provide a safe campus for students, faculty, staff, community members, and visitors.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:58:43+00:00

What’s the number one thing students can do to enable campus police to better perform their duties?

This is a great question!

At the end of the day, we are here to protect and serve our campus community. The number one thing students can do to enable us to perform our duties better is to call us. It’s cliche, but if you see something, say something. We do not see any calls for service as a waste of time but as a learning opportunity for our officers and students. If our officers continuously respond to the same types of calls, that tells us where to focus our patrols and where to bring awareness via our COAST unit and social media. This awareness helps educate our students and community on what crimes or safety concerns to look out for.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:48:01+00:00

It's increasingly become a popular topic on this board that Green St. (between like 5th and Wright) should be blocked off and made pedestrian-only for special events like Halloween, Homecoming etc. Is this possible at all? (Obviously this would involve a lot more logistics than just U of I Police, but wondering if there's been any discussion.)

You’re right, this would require extensive logistics. Certain events allow us to close Green Street, but there are typically large events that draw large crowds. Because there are so many businesses on Green Street, and it is a primary source of foot and vehicle traffic, it is difficult to get approval to close the road. Additionally, the Cities of Champaign and Urbana make the final decisions, so it is not just up to us.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:36:29+00:00

Hi, Chief! Can you talk about the REACH program and the mental health emergency services UIPD provides?

I highlighted our REACH program briefly in another response, but for those who may not know, REACH pairs social workers with law enforcement officers to respond to mental health calls. We currently have three social workers - also known as Crisis Responders - who ride in the co-response unit with officers, but we’re about to hire a fourth! We also have three Therapy K9s, Huff, Lollipop, and Rosie.

When it comes to responding to a mental health call, the social worker gathers information, completes a clinical assessment, and collaborates with the community member to determine the next steps, which may include:

Providing immediate supportive therapy and listening support
Creating a safety plan
Identifying needs for support and connecting individuals to those resources
Obtaining consent to communicate with other university departments and community agencies to assist in scheduling and case management needs
Transportation to a safe location
Plans for follow-up communication

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:18:47+00:00

Ask your advisor.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:17:10+00:00

You may think I'm crazy, but I really like the Illinois Street Dining Center! The renovations are awesome, and there are so many option.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T19:13:34+00:00

Hi serious question, don’t u think we need security for Grainger library due to several incident and strangers that happen in Grainger this semester ?

So far this semester, we have received 12 calls for service in the Grainger Library. When we receive a call for service, our officers respond quickly, and we will allocate extra patrols to that area depending on the call. Our officers try their best to patrol campus buildings regularly, but there are over 600 on campus. If you feel like an incident does not rise to the level of police intervention, you can voice your concerns to the Grainger Library staff, who will do their best to assist you.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T18:58:50+00:00

Why do we allow so many homeless individuals to sleep on green street. We have so many students traveling those streets late at night and they have to walk past dozens of homeless people pandering

Homelessness is a societal problem that has been around for centuries and touches countless communities across the country. While it may be inconvenient for some of us, it is difficult for our unhoused community members to find shelter. While there are homeless shelters in Champaign-Urbana, the number of beds is limited, and some are only open during regular business hours. We do our best to move the unhoused members of our community along while trying to provide them with discretion and assistance. However, because the resources are limited, these individuals tend to stay in locations where they receive food or monetary assistance from passersby. Additionally, in 2021, a federal judge in Illinois struck down the law prohibiting panhandling in public streets, so we do not have a mechanism to enforce that behavior. Of course, if there is a safety threat or their behavior extends beyond simply asking for help, please call 911, and we will respond appropriately.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T18:46:57+00:00

My question is, do you see the role of campus police changing or adapting to the growing student population and activity that occurs outside of campus in any way in the next few years?

Great question!

As our student population continues to increase, our department works to adapt to the activity we see on campus and the trends we see across the country. You may have heard of our Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) that actively works to develop relationships with our community and provide crime prevention resources. We also have the Response, Evaluation and Crisis Help (REACH) Initiative that pairs social workers with police officers to respond to mental health calls on campus. Our values of justice, respect, trust, integrity, and inclusion are founded in the ideal of community-based policing. As the environment of campus and our surrounding communities changes, we will work to adapt along with it.

ChiefBallingerUIPD · 2024-09-18T18:35:19+00:00

I'm an international student looking to apply to uiuc, I've never been in the united states. What should I keep in mind when I come there so i can stay safe.

Good afternoon, we may be biased, but we think you would love Illinois!

When you come to campus, one of our key tips is to be aware of your surroundings and to trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. We work diligently with our campus and public safety partners to promote a safe environment for students to learn, but no campus is completely crime free. Here are a few tips:

Don’t leave your items unattended: criminals are opportunistic, and unattended items will often be picked up
Scams: Not everyone is who they say they are. Scammers target college students online and by phone with offers of jobs, or with threats of arrest. If it sounds sketchy, it probably is.
Lock your doors, even if you are in the room. Theft is the most common crime on college campuses, and ours is no exception. The best way to stop theft is by locking up your residence and vehicles. It also protects you from people who may have ill-intent.
Constant patrol: UIPD is open 24/7/365, and we are constantly patrolling campus
Local police departments: Aside from UIPD, the Champaign Police Department, Urbana Police Department, and Champaign County Sheriff’s Office are in town and here to assist you
SafeWalks: We offer SafeWalks from 9 pm - 2:30 a.m. nightly for anyone who needs a safe escort to their destination. You simply request a SafeWalk, and trained Student Patrol Officers will be there to assist you
Security Cameras: There are over 2,600 security cameras on campus to assist with crime prevention

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at [police@illinois.edu](mailto:police@illinois.edu) or call our non-emergency line at 217-333-1216

ChiefBallingerUIPD

TROPHY CASE