Salem Police Department, Illinois

06/17/2026

TC Tuesday – Episode 107

Why Responders Don’t Always Use Lights and Sirens

One question we occasionally hear is:

“Why did the police officer, firefighter, or ambulance arrive without lights and sirens? I thought it was an emergency.”

The answer is that not every emergency requires an emergency response.

When a 911 call is received, telecommunicators gather information and relay it to responding personnel. Based on the information provided, responders determine the safest and most appropriate way to respond.

There are several reasons lights and sirens may not be used:

🚔 Safety – Emergency driving increases the risk of crashes for responders and the public.

🚑 Nature of the Call – Some situations require a quick response but do not justify the additional risks associated with lights and sirens.

🚒 Updated Information – As more information becomes available, responders may change their response mode while en route.

🏠 Residential Areas – During certain incidents, responders may approach quietly to avoid alerting a suspect or creating unnecessary panic.

Studies have shown that lights and sirens often save only a small amount of time while significantly increasing the risk of traffic accidents. Because of this, agencies carefully evaluate when emergency warning devices are truly necessary.

No matter how responders arrive, every call is treated seriously and professionally. The goal is always the same: getting the right resources to the right place as safely and efficiently as possible.

If you see emergency vehicles with lights and sirens activated:

🚨 Stay calm.
🚨 Move to the right when it is safe to do so.
🚨 Stop until the vehicle has passed.
🚨 Never attempt to follow or outrun emergency vehicles.

The safest response is often the most effective response.

06/16/2026

***Updated Road Oiling on Wednesday, June 17***

The City of Salem Public Works is announcing that, weather permitting, the following roads will be closed to on street parking for OIL and CHIP road maintenance on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from 7:00 AM to 5:00PM. Please do not park on the following roads nor drive through oil not covered by rock.

N. Franklin St. - Boone St. to Bryan Lane
Bryan Lane - N. Franklin St. to End
Bobwhite Ln. - N. Franklin St. to End
Hawthorn Rd. - Broughton Rd. to Concrete pavement
Meadow Lane - Deer Path Dr. to Hawthorn Rd.
Deer Path Dr. - Boone St. to Boone St.
Mills Cart Rd. - N. Hotze Rd. to Baldridge Ln.
Mills Cart Rd. - Baldridge Ln. to Selmaville Rd.
Woodland Dr. - Boone St. to Northwood Ln.
Northwood Ln. - Woodland Dr. to End
E. Bryan St. - Woodland Dr. to End
E. Park St. - Northwood Ln. to Woodland Dr.
N. Rotan Ave. - Boone St. to Sneff St.
Lyford St. - Vail St. to Rotan Ave.
Vail St. - Boone St. to HWY 37

06/12/2026

***Update Road Oiling for Monday, 6/15/26***

The City of Salem Public Works is announcing that, weather permitting, the following roads will be closed to on street parking for OIL and CHIP road maintenance on Monday, June 15, 2026 from 7:00 AM to 5:00PM. Please do not park on the following roads nor drive through oil not covered by rock.

S. Pearl Ave. - Sanger St. to Commercial St.
S. Maple Ave. - Commercial St. to Sanger St.
W. Lester St. - S. Maple Ave. to S. College Ave.
W. Sanger St. - S. College Ave. to HWY 37
Westgate Ave. - W. Blair to Mitchell St.
Airport Rd. - Boone St. to Airport entrance
W. Whittaker St. - Pearl Ave. to Walnut Ave.
W. Mitchell St. - S. College Ave. to HWY 37
E. Mitchell St. - HWY 37 to S. Marion Ave.
E. Locust St. - HWY 37 to S. Marion Ave.
E. Elm St. - HWY 37 to S. Marion Ave.
E. Church St. - S. Washington Ave. to S. Marion Ave.
S. Marion Ave. - Main St. to E. Mitchell St.
S. Hamilton Ave. - Main St. to E. Mitchell St.
S. Rotan Ave. - E. Church St. to E. Mitchell St.
S. Jefferson Ave. - E. McMackin St. to E. Mitchell St.
S. Washington Ave. - E. McMackin St. to E. Mitchell St.
N. Franklin St. - Boone St. to Broughton Rd.
W. Bryan St. - N. College Ave. to N. Franklin St.
W. Park St. - N. College Ave. to N. Franklin St.
Bob White Lane - N. Franklin St. to End
Bryan Lane - N. Franklin St. to End
Deer Path Dr. - Boone St. to Boone St.
Meadow Lane - Deer Path Dr. to Hawthorn Rd.
Hawthorn Rd. - Broughton Rd. to Concrete pavement
Hawthorn Estates Dr. - Hawthorn Rd. to End

06/10/2026

***THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026***

The City of Salem Public Works is announcing that, weather permitting, the following roads will be closed to on street parking for OIL and CHIP road maintenance on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 7:00 AM to 5:00PM. Please do not park on the following roads nor drive through oil not covered by rock.

S. Washington Ave. - HWY 37 for a distance of 500 feet south
S. Washington Ave. - HWY 37 to Fairground Rd.
Fairground Rd. - S. Washington Ave. to HWY 37
S. Washington Ave. - Lake St. to Blair St.
E. Blair St. - HWY 37to S. Marion Ave
E. Martin St. - S. Marion Ave. to S. Washington Ave.
E. Rainey St. - S. Washington to S. Marion Ave.
E. Wells St. - S. Washington Ave. to S. Marion Ave.
S. Washington Ave. - E. Blair St. to Sanger St.
S. Jefferson Ave. - Lester St. to Sanger St.
Lester St. - HWY 37 to End
W. Lake St. - S. College to End
S. Franklin St. - Wells St. to W. Lake St.
S. Maple Ave. - Lake St. to Wells St.
S. Walnut Ave. - Lake St. to End
W. Commercial St. - HWY 37 to End
S. Franklin St. - Blair St. to Sanger St.
W. Sanger St. - S. College Ave. to End
S. Pearl Ave. - Sanger St. to Commercial St.
S. Maple Ave. - Commercial St. to Sanger St.
W. Lester St. - S. Maple Ave. to S. College Ave.
W. Sanger St. - S. College Ave. to HWY 37
Westgate Ave. - W. Blair to Mitchell St.
Airport Rd. - Boone St. to Airport entrance
W. Whittaker St. - Pearl Ave. to Walnut Ave.
W. Mitchell St. - S. College Ave. to HWY 37

06/10/2026

TC Tuesday – Episode 106

Pool Safety Starts Before You Dive In

As temperatures rise and more families head to pools, lakes, and backyard water activities, it’s a good time to remember that drowning can happen quickly and quietly.

Many people picture drowning as someone yelling for help and splashing wildly. In reality, it is often silent and can occur in a matter of seconds.

Whether you’re at a public pool, a backyard pool, or enjoying a day at the lake, a few simple precautions can help keep everyone safe:

🏊 Never leave children unattended near water not even for a moment.

👀 Designate a responsible adult as the “water watcher” and avoid distractions like phones or conversations.

🦺 Use properly fitted life jackets when appropriate, especially for young children and inexperienced swimmers.

🚪 Keep pool gates closed and secured when not in use.

🏖️ Avoid swimming alone whenever possible.

🍺 Never mix alcohol and water activities.

📱 Keep a phone nearby in case of an emergency.

❤️ Learn CPR. Immediate CPR can save a life while responders are en route.

If you witness someone struggling in the water, call 911 immediately. Quick recognition and rapid action can make all the difference.

A fun day around the water should end with everyone returning home safely. Taking a few extra precautions today can help prevent a tragedy tomorrow.

06/08/2026

06/06/2026

🚨💦 DUNK A COP! 💦🚨

Come out and join Salem FOP Lodge #333 at Family Day! We’ll have our dunk tank set up near the Family Aquatic Center from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Ever wanted the chance to send a police officer for a swim? Here’s your opportunity! 😆

🎯 Dunk a Cop
📍 Near the Family Aquatic Center
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
💵 All donations benefit Salem FOP Lodge #333 and help support our community programs and events.

Bring the family, have some fun, and help support your local officers. We hope to see you there!