COVID Outbreak Shuts Down Illinois Police Department

An Illinois police department has temporarily shut down because of a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Venice Police Department normally would have nine members if fully staffed, but turnover and a nationwide shortage of new recruits has kept it at three officers and the chief, Mayor Tyrone Echols told KTVI-TV. Those four have all contracted COVID, forcing the department's temporary closure while the members recover or go through a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

“I think it’s everybody except for possibly two dispatchers,” Echols told Belleville News-Democrat.

While the department is closed, the Illinois State Police and neighboring agencies in Madison County will provide support. 

“I want everyone to know we are covered,” Echols said.

“This pandemic is nothing to play with,” he added.