In an effort to free up a stretched police force, the Washington Police Department announced last week that it will cut some services.
Beginning Oct. 1, officers will no longer respond to most vehicle lockouts and collisions on private property.
The Washington Police Department responded to about 600 vehicle lockout calls last year and
about 400 calls already this year.
Washington Police Chief Jim Kuchenbecker said in a news release that a motorist locked out of a vehicle should call a locksmith to gain entry to it.
Exceptions include if a child, pet or handicapped person is locked inside the vehicle or if there is an emergency situation. But locked keys in a running vehicle is a not an emergency, Kuchenbecker said.
Officers also responded to 155 traffic accidents on private property last year and about 70 so far this year.
Police will no longer respond to those accidents unless they involve criminal behavior, death, injury to a person or result in more than an estimated $1,500 in property damage.
If a private property crash involved a motorist feeling threatened, injury or criminal behavior, police should be called immediately, Kuchenbecker said, and an officer will be sent to investigate the collision.
Motorists involved in private property vehicle accidents should exchange contact information and call their insurance companies.
Exchange information forms are available at the police department, 115 W. Jefferson St., or online at www.washington-illinois.org.
Citizens may also now create their own informational/matter of record reports for incidents primarily for personal or insurance purposes.
There is no time restriction between the date of the occurrence and the date it is reported. Forms are available at the police department.
Kuchenbecker said it is preferred that citizens complete the reports at the department, but they may also be mailed in.
For more information, call 444-2313.
