Cop Training Confusion Near Darien

DARIEN, IL – Police training just south of Darien surprised some neighbors Thursday, but authorities apparently put out a notice.

Three days earlier, DuPage County's SWAT team notified residents along Lemont Road that it would conduct training from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was to be in the same spot where neighbors fear a gas station may be built.

The team's memo was from the SWAT team's assistant commander, Austin Jump, who is also a Darien deputy police chief. He confirmed to Patch that the notice was distributed to houses in the area, which is mostly unincorporated.

Shortly before noon Thursday, a resident near the activity emailed Craig Dieckman, director of the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, about whether some county agency was conducting police training there.

In a response shortly after, Dieckman wrote, "I am not aware of the training you described, and my office is looking into it. I will follow up with you when I have more information."

Patch left an emailed message for comment with Dieckman early Friday morning. Patch later left a phone message. Both went unreturned.

The training apparently took place at the four vacant houses south of Lemont National Bank at Lemont Road and 97th Street. Lemont recently annexed the houses.

Over the last year, the Lenny's Gas N Wash chain has bought the houses, which are next to residential neighborhoods.

Neighbors oppose a gas station going there.

In 2022, Patch reported on confusion related to police training in Western Springs.