By: Diane Benjamin

Review this story: https://blnnews.com/2026/09/10/normal-locks-people-up-for-ordinance-violations/

Obviously Derek Riggs was booked into the McLean County jail after his arrest by the Normal Police Department because that story has his booking photo and info.

When I did that story all I knew was he was charged with an ordinance violation. Now I know what that violation was, in fact he had been charged for the same thing before. The first time was in September of 2025, he got a $200 fine that hasn’t been paid.

Below is the current charge.

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Improper Pedestrian Crossing of Road has to mean jaywalking.

Serious criminals are allowed to walk free because of the Safe-T Act. This guy spent time in jail for jaywalking. Worse, neighborhood menaces who stab a neighbor have zero consequences: https://blnnews.com/2026/09/09/are-ironwood-citizens-forced-to-protect-themselves/

Is the NPD targeting him? Or is every person who jaywalks in Normal arrested? Does ISU warn their students? Have you ever NOT seen a jaywalker in Uptown?

What is really going on Normal Police Department? You have no serious crimes to prosecute?

Maybe this is how Normal welcomes the students back.