Skokie Police Department

10/28/2026

October 28, 2026 – PRESS RELEASE

IMPAIRED DRIVING IS SCARY: SKOKIE POLICE CRACK DOWN ON DRUNK, DRUGGED DRIVING

Skokie, IL — The Skokie Police Department is urging motorists to commit to sober driving, buckling up and following traffic laws this Halloween, when children and their families will be walking through neighborhoods after dark in search of candy and spooky fun. If you'll be out enjoying Halloween festivities, make sure you have a safe, sober ride home. Remember — “It’s Not a Game.”

“Alcohol and cannabis impair your ability to drive safely,” said Sgt. Melissa Russell. “That’s why it’s crucial to plan how you’ll get home before you head out. And don’t forget to wear your seat belt every trip, every time. Planning ahead, driving sober, and buckling up will help keep you and others safe.”

Driving while impaired is never acceptable. Remember: DUIs are not limited to alcohol-related offenses. Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or drugs is illegal — period. While cannabis may be legal for adults, if you drive high, you’ll still get a DUI. Additionally, all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belts or risk a ticket.

The Skokie Police Department encourages everyone to follow these simple tips to keep our roads safe this Halloween:

• Plan a safe way to get home before attending any party.

• Designate a sober driver, take public transportation, use a ride-sharing service, or call a sober friend or family member for a ride.

• Walking while impaired can be just as dangerous as driving. Make sure you have a sober friend to walk you home if needed.

• Always wear your seat belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers and crashes.

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement as soon as it’s safe to do so.

• If you see someone who is impaired and about to drive, take their keys and help them find a safe way home.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” campaigns, along with increased traffic enforcement, are funded by federal highway safety grants administered by IDOT. These efforts are supported by the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies across the state. The campaigns are reinforced by IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game” initiative, spotlighting safe driving and highway safety across Illinois.

10/19/2026

October 19, 2026 - PRESS RELEASE

SKOKIE POLICE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES ENFORCEMENT RESULTS

Skokie, IL – The Skokie Police Department today released the results of its enhanced traffic enforcement efforts conducted through the federal fiscal year 2026 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program. These efforts, carried out between Oct. 1, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026, were designed to reduce crashes and save lives on Illinois roadways.

During the STEP enforcement period, 10 officers issued a total of 173 citations and made 5 arrests. The breakdown includes:
• 44 speeding citations
• 50 occupant restraint citations
• 29 electronic device use citations
• 48 other traffic citations
• 5 traffic arrests

These efforts were part of high-visibility traffic safety campaigns such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive High. Get a DUI.” By focusing on the most dangerous driving behaviors – including impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and failure to wear seat belts – Skokie Police Department worked to keep roadways safe and prevent serious crashes.

“The goal of this enforcement was to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Sergeant Melissa Russell. “By targeting the leading causes of crashes, we aimed to save lives and send a clear message that unsafe driving will not be tolerated.

The STEP grant was funded with federal highway safety funds and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation as part of a statewide effort to improve traffic safety and reduce fatalities.

10/17/2026

Save the Date! October 23, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Skokie Police Department will be at the Trunk or Treat Event with our Community Outreach Police Substation at Oakton College, 7701 Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, IL.

10/14/2026

October 14, 2026 - PRESS RELEASE UPDATE

UPDATE - ATTEMPTED MURDER & AGGRAVATED BATTERY CHARGES FILED

SKOKIE, IL – On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Skokie Police responded to reports of a male holding a female's head underwater in a pond at Old Orchard Mall, 4905 Old Orchard Center. Skokie Police arrested William Dobbs at the scene. As a result of the Skokie Police Department's continued investigation into this incident, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has approved the following charges against Dobbs:
• 1 felony count of Attempted Murder
• 1 felony count of Aggravated Battery to a Senior Citizen
• 1 felony count of Aggravated Battery with Great Bodily Harm

On October 14, 2026, Dobbs is scheduled to appear for first appearance court at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Skokie Police Department at (847) 982- 5900.

The Public is reminded that neither a complaint nor an indictment is evidence of guilt, and all defendants in a criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PHOTO - William Dobbs, 35 YOA, 5200 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL
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10/13/2026

October 13, 2026 - PRESS RELEASE

SKOKIE POLICE DETAIN MAN FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY AT OLD ORCHARD MALL

SKOKIE, IL – On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:01 a.m., Skokie Police officers responded to reports of an attempted robbery and battery at Westfield Old Orchard Mall, 4905 Old Orchard Center. Individuals reported that a male was holding a female’s head underwater in a pond located at the north end of the mall after trying to take the female’s purse. There was also an initial report that the male was armed with a handgun.

Mall bystanders intervened and separated the male and female victim before Skokie Police arrived. When Skokie Police arrived, the male was on scene and was detained by Skokie Police.

The preliminary investigation into the incident indicates that the adult male and adult female did not know each other, and as they crossed paths in the outdoor mall near the pond, the male struck the female unprovoked with a saddle-type bag and ultimately pushed her into the pond. The male then held the female’s head underwater.

The female was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries sustained from this incident, and the report of the man being armed with a handgun was not substantiated.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be provided as the investigation allows.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Skokie Police Department at (847) 982-5900.

The 24-hour Skokie Crime Tip Hotline is 847/933-TIPS (8477).

Text-A-Tip is available 24 hours a day by texting “Skokie” and your tip to 226787.

10/08/2026

Today, Skokie Police Comfort Dog America visited Niles West High School in the Village of Skokie, and squeezed in a lay down competition with a friend. The competition was stiff.

10/02/2026

This young man reported for duty at the Village of Skokie Farmer’s Market last Sunday. Thank you for the backup, and we look forward to seeing more community members at the next one!

10/01/2026

This month, don't be scared. We start our quarterly beat meetings at 9 a.m. on October 5 at the Nordstrom Café. The remaining beat meetings are in the evening. Please join us in conversation, and if you miss a beat meeting, you are welcome to attend the next one or any other.

Micromobility information and resources will be available for attendees regarding the upcoming law change at the beginning of 2027.

October 2026 Beat Meeting Schedule

• Beat 310: October 5 at 9 a.m., Nordstrom Café, 4937 Old Orchard Center
• Beat 311: October 7 at 6 p.m., Devonshire Cultural Center, 4400 Greenwood Street
• Beat 312: October 6 at 6 p.m., Middleton Elementary School, 8300 St. Louis Avenue
• Beat 313: October 13 at 6 p.m., Emily Oaks Nature Center, 4650 Brummel Street
• Beat 314: October 15 at 6 p.m., Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street
• Beat 315: October 19 at 6 p.m., Jane Stenson Elementary School, 9201 Lockwood Avenue
• Beat 316: October 27 at 6 p.m., Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton Street
• Beat 317: October 27 at 6 p.m., Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton Street

Find your Skokie Police beat at https://www.skokie.org/1013/Skokie-Police-Department-Beat-Map.

09/29/2026

Thank you to the Skokie Honor Guard, support, and thank you Chicago Bears for the win!

09/28/2026

Skokie Police Honor Guard and Bears, let's go!!!

🏈 PRIMETIME PRIDE! 🏈

The Skokie Police Department Honor Guard is presenting the colors on MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL — TONIGHT!

When the Chicago Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles, Officers Contreras, Dang, Jaworski and Shin will take the field to represent Skokie on one of football's biggest stages.

In the stands? Make some noise for our officers!
Watching from home? Tune in early so you don't miss them.

Go Bears! 🐻⬇️