LITH Police Respond To Calls In Frigid Cold

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL -- For officers at local police departments, there were no snow days or days off from work due to the bitter cold this past week. Quite the contrary, as many were tasked with helping dozens of motorists stuck in ditches or in stalled vehicles in the frigid cold across the suburbs. It was a matter of life or death with wind chills hovering well below zero.

Many suburban police departments used their social media pages, like Facebook, to share useful information. They also took to Facebook to share a bit of an inside look at their jobs during the bitter cold.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department was among the suburban agencies that got a positive response after posting this photos and message on its Facebook page with many thanking local officers for their service.

“It was a big hit with the community, and we received many kind comments from our followers thanking the officers for braving the cold and hoping they stay safe,” Lake in the Hills Police Department communications coordinator Ashley Echles told Patch on Thursday. “It's the duty of first responders to persevere through inclement weather conditions year-round in order to help community members who need it most.”

During the frigid cold, LITH police officers responded to five motorist assist calls for stalled vehicles and vehicles needing a jump. They also performed well-being checks on elderly residents, Eccles said.

During one call, authorities did need to transport a 79-year-old woman to the hospital after she reported difficulty breathing when she walked from her house to a parked vehicle in her driveway. Another officer gave an elderly resident a ride from Costco to his home, Eccles said.

PHOTO VIA THE LAKE IN THE HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT