The Den

If you have ever been assisted by a St. Charles police officer or firefighter, watched snow plows run through your neighborhood, or seen a customized map developed by the City, then you have benefited from the City’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a division of our Informations Systems Department.

Many routine City operations are tied to a location and therefore rely on a mapping service. Maps play a vital role in locating water, sewer and electric lines, or in helping emergency crews calculate the best route with the lowest response time.

We can expect an increase in coyote sightings between now and February as young coyotes leave their parents in search of mates and territories to call their own. And, with the onset of winter, coyotes are more willing to venture out of their rural or wooded habitats and into residential areas in search of food and shelter.

While coyotes are unlikely to attack humans, they can become more aggressive if they find an area that suits their needs and they want to defend it. Tips for keeping coyotes from settling in your neighborhood:

According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans across the country trust their local government more than their state government. 72% of U.S. adults polled said they have a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of trust in their local government, compared with 63% answering the same about their state government.

Kane County offers the CodeRED® Emergency Telephone Notification System. The system allows County officials to telephone targeted areas or the entire County if an emergency requires immediate action such as a boil water order, missing child alert or evacuation notice. CodeRED® is capable of dialing 50,000 phone numbers per hour and delivers a recorded message.

School is back in session and student safety is always at the forefront of back-to-school preparations. Coordinated student safety plans developed collaboratively by the St. Charles Police Department, St. Charles Fire Department and St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 officials are in place to keep students safe when they are in school.

Drivers, please remember to watch out for children standing at bus stops, or walking or riding a bike to school--especially during morning rush hour. This helpful graphic from the Village of Antioch Police Department reminds drivers about stopping for a school bus with lights flashing and stop arm extended. Also remember it is illegal to text while driving or talk on a hand-held cell phone.

When the weather warms up, the St. Charles Police Department Bike Patrol Unit gets rolling. The bicycle patrol unit is an “as needed” volunteer unit that was started in 1993. The bicycle patrol is prominently used during the summer at highly populated city events that can be navigated easier by bike. The patrol provides an additional level of support for areas where cars are unable to go. Each bike is equipped with a small pack that contains a first aid kit, flashlights, and reflective vest in the event traffic assistance is needed.

If you’re looking for a collection of local resources for seniors, visit the City website www.stcharlesil.gov/residents/resources-seniors. There you will find a helpful list of activities, services, safety and assistance programs, transportation options, and much more. Also on that page is a link to our Senior Citizens Resources Guide.

Your City government relies on the input and participation of everyone. That’s why we’re proud to announce the new assisted listening system in the City Council chamber.

An audience member can pick up one of four audio receivers and either ear buds or a neck loop that is designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone switch. 

When the audio system is turned on, the digital transmitter automatically sends a signal to the receivers. Volume controls on the receiver allow individuals to adjust the volume to their needs. 

Our Police Officers do their best to monitor suspicious activity throughout the community, but they also rely on residents to be their eyes and ears in neighborhoods. So please, ‘If you see something, say something,’ and report any issues that require an officer, no matter how minor, directly to 911 while they are occurring.