Vandalia Police Department, IL

10/28/2026

10/21/2026

A special apology to our night shift workers: we need to test the storm sirens again tomorrow 😬, Thursday, October 22.

One stubborn siren still needs a little more attention. Unfortunately, we can’t test it without a few of its friends joining in, so you may hear multiple sirens during testing.

We apologize in advance for the extra noise, especially to those trying to get some sleep! This is scheduled testing, not an emergency.

Thanks again for your patience and understanding!

10/21/2026

We will be testing the storm sirens today, October 21, at approximately 12:15 p.m. One siren has been under repair and needs to be tested. Because we are unable to activate just one siren at a time, multiple sirens may sound during the test.

This is a scheduled test, not an emergency. Thank you for your understanding.

10/20/2026

$1000 Reward - Information Wanted

The Vandalia Police Department is investigating the theft of a commercial air conditioning unit that occurred sometime in the last few days.

Fayette County Crimewatchers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible.

Anyone who has specific information regarding this theft is asked to contact Fayette County Crimewatchers at 618-283-1986.

Callers may remain anonymous.

09/17/2026

Come fuel up at Fast Stop at our Spirit Pump and help our local kids. For the months of August through November we are donating a penny a gallon to SHOP WITH A COP

09/08/2026

Officer Swain graduated Friday, September 4, from the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy — Session 159 after completing the 16-week academy.

He’ll now begin the next phase of his training with the Vandalia Police Department through our Field Training Officer (FTO) program.

We’re proud of Tanner’s hard work and glad to have him back in Vandalia.

08/19/2026

This Friday marks the end of an era at the Vandalia Police Department as Dispatcher Audrey Turner works her final shift after more than 27 years of service to our department and community.

Over the years, Audrey has been there for just about everything—dispatching police officers, firefighters, and EMS crews, handling routine calls, barking dogs, accidents, storms, emergencies, tornado warnings, and all the unexpected things that happen in between.

She has been the voice on the radio making sure first responders had the information they needed and the help they needed was on the way. She has helped keep officers, firefighters, paramedics, and our community connected during some of the most stressful and important moments.

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes in public safety, and dispatchers are at the center of it. For more than 27 years, Audrey has answered the calls, sent the help, sounded the sirens, and helped keep Vandalia safe.

We are incredibly grateful for her years of dedication and service.

Audrey, after decades of radios going off, phones ringing, sirens sounding, and hearing just about every kind of call imaginable, we hope retirement brings you plenty of the one thing dispatch rarely does:

Peace and quiet.

Congratulations, Audrey, on a well-earned retirement. Thank you for everything you have done for the Vandalia Police Department and the citizens of Vandalia. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you all the best in this next chapter.

07/28/2026

Members of the Vandalia Rotary Club took their weekly meeting on the road July 21 as Rotarian Tom McCarty organized a field trip to tour the new Old Capital 911 Center, now located in the city's former Library building in downtown Vandalia. The new facility brings the City of Vandalia and Fayette County emergency dispatch operations together under one roof, creating a single Public Safety Answering Point to improve communication, coordination, and emergency response throughout the county.

The tour was led by Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray and Fayette County Sheriff Ronnie Stevens, who showcased the state-of-the-art dispatch center and explained how consolidating the city and county dispatch services will enhance efficiency while providing better service to area residents.

Rotarians enjoyed learning about the technology and planning that went into transforming the historic former library into a modern emergency communications center. The visit highlighted the value of cooperation between local governments and the shared commitment to providing the highest level of public safety for Fayette County.

07/22/2026

We did a short test of the tornado sirens this morning for one that is under repair.

05/26/2026

SCAM ALERT – RENTAL HOUSING FRAUD

The Vandalia Police Department would like to make the public aware of an online rental scam that has recently been reported in the area.

The victim located a house for rent through Facebook Marketplace that appeared legitimate. The listing advertised a two-bedroom home for a low monthly rent and included what appeared to be a legitimate rental application process. The victim paid an application fee and a partial rent payment through a mobile payment app after communicating with the supposed property manager through text messages.

After the payments were sent, communication stopped. The victim later discovered several red flags, including suspicious email addresses, conflicting profile information, and requests to send money to multiple accounts.

Unfortunately, the victim lost several hundred dollars before realizing it was a scam.

Please remember the following tips when searching for rental properties online:

• Be cautious of rental prices that seem significantly lower than normal
• Never send money before verifying the property and ownership
• Be suspicious if asked to use peer-to-peer payment apps for deposits or rent
• Research the property address and confirm who owns it
• Watch for poor communication, inconsistent information, or suspicious email addresses
• If possible, view the property in person before making any payments

Scammers commonly use Facebook Marketplace and other social media platforms to target people searching for affordable housing.

If you believe you may be dealing with a scam, stop communication immediately and contact your local law enforcement agency.