As South Central Illinois braces for a large influx of people to view the full solar eclipse Monday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps is warning that trespassing on private property is against the law.
Cripps expects the anticipated heavy traffic also to make it to rural roads.
“We anticipate a lot of people just pulling over to the side road somewhere and trying to view the eclipse at that time or trying to find a dirt road or country road to get on. I would also ask citizens to make sure spread the word to their family and friends coming to the area that no trespassing in Illinois is also labeled by purple paint on trees and posts. We just want to make sure people don’t get in trouble for being on property they should be on.”
Cripps also suggests you give yourself more time to get where you are going on Monday due to the expected heavy traffic. He says the heaviest traffic may come after the eclipse when everyone tries to leave at once.
The sheriff’s department as well as area police departments all will have extra officers on duty Monday to deal with any issues that may surface as a result of totality.
