Public Safety for Nov. 21

Police, fire, rescue

Police plan to up seat belt checks

SPRINGFIELD - Police will step up seat belt enforcement over the Thanksgiving holiday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office announced Monday.

The effort will include state and local police, and means 15,000 hours of extra seat belt enforcement patrols through Nov. 30.

To additionally drive the point, the state has paid $325,000 to air public service announcements taped by NASCAR drivers asking Illinois drivers to buckle up.

Blagojevich said Monday that traffic fatalities so far in the state are down 22 percent this year.

Break-in - A door was found broken open Wednesday at an apartment in the 200 block of East Vernon Avenue, Normal police said.