Noncriminal incident draws ‘significant’ police activity in Winnetka

(Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Wednesday, March 25, with a statement from Police Chief Brian O’Connell.)

Winnetka police are releasing few details of a noncriminal response that began Sunday, March 22, and ended sometime before 10 a.m. Monday, March 23.

Via email and social media, the police department issued a public alert around 1 p.m. Sunday that informed the community of a “significant police presence due to a non-criminal-related incident in the 200 block of Chestnut Street,” a location between Willow and Hill roads.

The alert asked community members to “please avoid the area” while reporting that “there is no threat to the community.”

A Village spokesperson said the police presence had been reduced by 4:50 p.m., but it is unclear when police vacated the scene.

The Village has released no further public alerts related to the incident.

In an emailed response at 1:25 p.m. Monday, Winnetka Deputy Chief of Police Dylan Majcher said that the incident was resolved and there is no related investigation.

In response to Record questions, including the length of police activity, nature of the incident and more, Majcher responded, “We will not be providing any further information.”

The Record on Monday filed a public-records request seeking more information.

Winnetka Police Chief Brian O’Connell on Wednesday, March 25 morning issued a community message that explained the department declined to share further details as to “honor people’s right to privacy.”

“The police department is committed to doing everything possible to respect what people may be experiencing and not disseminate personal information,” he wrote.

He also said that the department shared an initial community alert about the police activity “to assure residents that the incident was non-criminal, to reduce concern that a large number of law enforcement personnel could create in the community.”

O’Connell finished his message by encouraging residents to call 911 in an emergency or for an immediate response, but to avoid doing so just to request information about police activity in progress — “unless you have information that could help us as we work to try to resolve every incident peacefully and successfully.”

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