Braidwood Police Department

Restraining order issued in Deputy Chief discipline case

Published by admin on Tue, 01/08/2019 - 6:10pm

The former deputy chief of the Braidwood Police Department won a petition this week for a temporary restraining order (TRO), putting the brakes on the city’s plan to bring her to the Police and Fire Board for an official disciplinary ruling.

On Jan. 8, Judge John Anderson issued the TRO in the case of Michelle Soucie versus the board. On Monday, Jan. 7, attorneys for Soucie, as well as for the board, the city of Braidwood, and police Chief Nick Ficarello, made oral arguments in downtown Joliet.

Cops called to Morris on special assignment

Published by admin on Sat, 12/22/2018 - 2:55pm

The Braidwood Police Department was able to make the season a little brighter for some local families, thanks to generous donations and some volunteer time from the city’s officers.

On Friday, Dec. 21, the BPD participated in its first ever “Shop with a Cop” event.

Several families got to hitch a ride in a BPD squad car to Walmart in Morris, where Braidwood officers escorted the children and their parents through the store, picking out presents and finding a bit of Christmas cheer.

Qualifications for chief, deputy chief amended

Published by admin on Tue, 11/27/2018 - 6:30pm

The city of Braidwood has established some new rules for anyone looking to serve as the city’s top cop.

Earlier this month, the City Council approved an amendment to the city’s code of ordinances changing the eligibility requirements to be appointed as police chief. The change added two specific qualifications for anyone in the role of police chief or deputy police chief.

“Right now, it’s pretty vague,” Public Health and Safety Commissioner Eric Tessler said of the amendment.

Chief credits focus on hard drugs for crime reduction

Published by admin on Tue, 11/06/2018 - 7:24pm

The nation remains in the grip of an opioid epidemic, as heroin and synthetic fentanyl continue to flood the market. So far in 2018, the Will County Coroner’s Office has reported 63 cases of overdose deaths related to heroin/fentanyl intoxication.

Those numbers include two confirmed deaths in Braidwood and one in Wilmington.

But Braidwood’s top cop said the city remains at the forefront, where officers are battling the crisis – and winning.

Depositions underway in Deputy Chief lawsuit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 7:03pm

Braidwood’s Deputy Police Chief remains on administrative leave, awaiting the results of an investigation that appears to have no end in sight.

Deputy Chief Michelle Soucie was placed on leave in January 2017, following the start of an internal investigation, according to Police Chief Nick Ficarello.

Ficarello said Soucie is being investigated for payroll theft allegations, but would not elaborate as the case remains open. Ficarello said the state police interviewed Soucie in April 2017, but so far, he said, the investigation is stalled.

Coalition assists BPD in drug takeback

Published by admin on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 6:52pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coaltion (BAHCC) stepped up efforts to battle drug issues over the weekend, participating in an event to help pull prescription drugs away from the grasp of potential misuse.

The Braidwood Police Department and the BAHCC participated in the national Drug Takeback event hosted by the DEA on Saturday, Oct. 27, where residents were encouraged to bring in their expired, unused, or unwanted medications.

Commissioner pushes public safety, awareness

Published by admin on Tue, 10/02/2018 - 6:39pm

Braidwood’s Public Health and Safety Commissioner says he’s ready to step up efforts to keep residents safe.

On Sept. 25, Commissioner Eric Tessler told members of the City Council that he and the Braidwood Police Department are taking seriously some perceived threats around town, including reports of people being watched or followed, and are worried for their safety.

Tessler said he was first alerted to the issue by way of social media.

“The chief and I have discussed this, but I think that we need to shed a lot more light on it,” Tessler said.

New SRO officer keeps the peace at RCES

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:19pm

Reed-Custer’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Vern Reed will get some company on campus this year.

The school district and the city of Braidwood reached an agreement starting with the 2018-2019 school year, hiring a second SRO and adding an additional level of safety for students.

Earlier this summer, Officer Todd Flint was sworn in as a member of the Braidwood Police Department. Flint’s assignment is overseeing security at Reed-Custer Elementary School.

Community comes together for National Night Out

Published by admin on Tue, 08/14/2018 - 6:21pm

 

Hundreds of folks came out to Old Smokey City Park on Tuesday, Aug. 7, for the fifth annual National Night Out event.

Braidwood joined with thousands of other communities in the coast to coast event designed to heighten drug prevention and crime awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Thieves tend to strike as weather warms up

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 5:13pm

Warm weather often means an uptick in thefts, as the pleasant temperatures bring out some not-so-pleasant behaviors.

On May 25, Braidwood police arrested Chyna Sikic, 21, of Braidwood, and Joshua Garrelts, 25, of Essex, following a string of burglaries in town. According to the police report, the pair burglarized several cars and two garages. Some of the cars were unlocked, but other vehicles as well as the two garages were locked and broken into.