UPDATE: Champaign Co. Crime Stoppers shredding, drug drop off event postponed

by: Noah Nelson

Posted: Apr 19, 2023 / 02:00 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 20, 2023 / 12:36 PM CDT

Update 12:30 p.m.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Crime Stoppers’ document shredding, cell phone recycling and drug-take-back event is being postponed due to poor weather, the organization announced.

The event was planned to take place on Saturday, but bad weather is expected for that day, including high winds.

“The main concern is documents with sensitive information getting blown away in the wind,” said Crime Stoppers president John Hecker. “We know this is a popular event, and we will work to reschedule as soon as possible.”

People wanting to dispose of their unwanted medication before the rescheduled event can contact their local police department or pharmacy to learn more information.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign County Crime Stoppers shared that they will be hosting a shredding, prescription drug drop-off and cell phone recycling event on Earth Day, April 22.

They shared on social media that the event will be held at the U of I Lot E14 at the corner of First Street and Kirby Avenue, next to State Farm Center. It is scheduled from 9-11 a.m.

Law enforcement will be onsite to handle the drop-off.

Crime Stoppers said that the best way to protect yourself against identity theft is to make sure your personal information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. They also added that they believe a proactive approach can save you time, money and aggravation.

There will be a $10 suggested donation to shred up to two bankers’ boxes of documents. These include old income tax records, bank statements, pay stubs, medical records, canceled checks, legal documents, utility bills, and more. You can read the recommended retention guidelines here.

Officials said Triad Shredding, a local, licensed, and bonded shredding company, will be shredding collected documents at their secure, off-site facility. This is to speed up the collection and minimize the lines again this year. Officials said documents will not be shredded at the collection site.

Crime Stoppers will also be collecting unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications to be safely disposed of with assistance from the Champaign Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Officials said this is an important way to prevent pill abuse and theft. They said this initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that remain in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.

Additionally, they said other methods of disposing of unused medicines, like flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Officials said only pills or patches will be accepted for drop off. Labels from pill bottles do not need to be removed, as everything collected will be incinerated at a safe, secure facility by the DEA. They will not accept liquid medications, needles, or sharps.

Crime Stoppers said recycling your cell phone with them is not only a good way to make sure that your personal data won’t fall into the wrong hands, but it’s also good for the environment.

For a $10 requested donation, you can recycle your old cell phones. Officials said Triad Shredding will remove the batteries and then shred all the collected phones. The shredded phone and battery packs will then be recycled properly.

More details on the event are available on the Crime Stoppers website.

Update 12:30 p.m.