Taylorville Police Department reported that in 2024, most crimes went down statistically across the county and within city limits. While crimes committed may have decreased, the Taylorville Police Department experienced a dramatic rise in mental health related calls. Reports and calls concerning mental health were up 75% from the last year. Taylorville Police Chief Duane Wheeler is looking towards the community and county as a whole, to combat the crisis. Wheeler shares that mental illness and crime go hand in hand and getting to root of the problem, is the only way to positively impact those suffering.

Wheeler explains that crimes like theft and burglary were down nearly 60% in some cases. Wheeler says many factors played a role in this downturn.

Since the legalization of marijuana in Illinois, residents can legally purchase and consume cannabis products. However, at a federal level, this is still technically illegal. Wheeler expresses his opinion on the use of cannabis by police officers while they are off-duty, a new bill is looking to make this a possible reality.

Another potential law coming to Illinois has Wheeler concerned. A citizen experiencing a mental health breakdown would not face repercussions for striking an officer. Wheeler does not see this law taking effect but does take issue with it.

Find out more about the Taylorville Police Department at www.taylorville.net. You can also learn more by visiting their Facebook page.

Duane Wheeler appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.