CONO hosts third annual safety panel encouraging community connection with law enforcement

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations (CONO) hosted its third annual public safety panel discussion, giving the public a chance to ask officials questions directly.

The panel featured Decatur Fire Chief Neil Elder, Macon County Sheriff Jim Root, Decatur Police Chief Brad Allen and Macon County States Attorney Diane Couri.

CONO President Kathy Williams said the panel is an important event for connection.

"It gives us an opportunity to get to know each other. I think that's one of the most important things: that our police department should be known. 'Who is in it? Who is the chief of police? Who the officers are?' They should be able to go to the community, and they see us within the community or within our neighborhoods to recognize us, and we should be able to recognize them," Williams said.

CONO meets at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the Madden Room of the Decatur Public Library.