2021/10/25 - Mayor's Column: Thank You Chief Van Hook!
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
In about two weeks (Nov. 11th) we will wish Chief Eric Van Hook all the best as he retires as O’Fallon’s Director of Public Safety, a position he has held for the last 8 years.
As Mayor, I can only say that I have been so fortunate to work with him for the past five years. I say that because he has always had the families and businesses of O’Fallon as his first priority.
If you look back over the past five years, our country has been confronted with some major items that impact the safety and wellbeing of all of us. When the spike in mass shootings began in 2017, our Public Safety Department under Chief Van Hook’s leadership went to churches and other locations to help them plan on how to prevent and/or limit casualties if something like that occurred. It was so well received that other communities asked if he would do it in their cities.
COVID was obviously the main storyline of 2020. During the Pandemic, Eric came through for us again. He led the effort to educate our community on the virus by holding group meetings and sending out regular e-mails on the latest developments to our schools, churches, organizations, and businesses on what types of precautions should be considered as we dealt with the tragic COVID-19 virus.
He also has held fast to help diversify and grow our Police Department through progressive recruiting, without ever lowering our standards.
In addition to these major accomplishments, he continued to move forward with Community Policing before many people even heard of the term. He did so by leading with Coffee with a COP; Pop up BBQs around town, Night to Unite gathering at the Community Park, and so much more.
His efforts are recognized by people throughout the state. He was honored has Police Chief of the Year in 2019 by the Illinois Chief of Police Association. In addition, O’Fallon was ranked as one of the top 5% safest cities in the state.
I could write pages on what Chief Van Hook has meant to me personally and to our city. But let me close with saying:
Chief, on behalf of all the Residents and Businesses of O’Fallon, THANK YOU AND ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!