The first real heat wave of the summer is upon us, and local law enforcement is offering a word of caution for the next few days in central Illinois.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told the Hart Media Group the extreme summer heat introduces unique challenges that require proactive community awareness. During severe thermal stretches, police experience an uptick in emergency service calls, often related to heat exhaustion or heat-induced medical distress.

A primary concern for local law enforcement is checking in on senior citizens and individuals with pre-existing health conditions who may live alone. Chief Lowers is asking community members to check on elderly neighbors to make sure air conditioning units are functioning properly and that they have water or fans to stay cool. 

Chief Lowers stresses the department maintains a zero-tolerance policy for situations where lives are jeopardized in hot vehicles, and officers will respond immediately to any reported sightings.

Temperatures are expected to approach, if not exceed, 90 degrees with heat indices in the triple digits.