By Greg Halbleib

NORMAL – The Normal Police Department lobby is now closed overnight, but residents are still able to quickly contact officers.

Normal Assistant Police Chief Eric Klingele said across-the-board budget cuts in the town led to the reduction of a police service representative at the front desk from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. He said the number of sworn officers has not decreased and the department is still available by phone, including one in the lobby foyer.

“If it’s a situation where they actually need to see an officer, then that officer will be dispatched,” Klingele said. “Any phone calls that come in will be routed to dispatch, so you’re not going to get a message or anything saying we’re closed. The biggest difference is that there won’t be a physical person sitting in that desk area.”

Klingele says reports of minor incidents can also be completed online on the police page at normal.org.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].