Yates ‘deploys’ with QPD Grill Squad one last time

Published 5:16 pm Thursday, June 18, 2026

QUINCY — At least three police cars, a detective’s car, the mobile crime scene van, and the Emergency Response Team’s tactical vehicle rolled into the Indian Hills housing complex Thursday afternoon, but it wasn’t in response to any criminal activity.

Instead, the Quincy Police Department deployed its “Grill Squad” to set up for a free community lunch event. QPD was joined shortly after setting up the grill by members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police, and the Adams County Ambulance service.

Quincy Police Chief Adam Yates, who helped organize the first Grill Squad outing in 2021, gave credit to others in his department for keeping the program going after his days became more regularly filled with obligations as the head of the department.

“It warms my heart that we have been able to continue the program,” Yates said. “It’s not so much me, but the deputy chiefs, the lieutenants, and some of the sergeants that have really picked up the slack. They’ve done the coordinating and organizing at various events, and they’re coming out and doing the work that needs to be done, the engagement that we get within the community, especially the kids.”

Thursday marked the final Grill Squad event for Yates, who announced earlier this year that he will be retiring after 27 years with QPD. The Grill Squad, set up to help the department revitalize connections in the community following the COVID pandemic, was just one of several community outreach programs Yates has been a part of during his tenure with QPD.

“I think it’s one of the things that I’m probably the most proud of,” he said Thursday. “This goes to our ability to not only engage with the community, but give back to the community from a perspective of law enforcement in the city of Quincy. That’s key to building trust, to building relationships, and to help us police the community in the way that the community wants us to.”

Along with the Grill Squad, Yates has led efforts, alongside volunteers from both inside and outside the department, to deliver groceries to make a nearly complete Thanksgiving meal on the Wednesday before the holiday, a program that started around a decade ago.

Yates has also been seen around Christmas time, knocking on doors and stopping random residents to distribute gift cards loaded with donated funds to help those in need have a brighter holiday season.

These events and others fall informally under the program labeled as “Quincy Cops Care,” events Yates said he hopes to see carry on after he leaves the department.

“When we’re doing these events, the connection with the community is invaluable,” he said. “So I’m hoping this is something, and I think it will be something, that they will continue to do well into the future. I expect those that have invested in this program and are investing in the community will continue to do this as well as other events, where we can engage with the residents and with the kids to build relationships between the community and the police departments.”

With the future in mind, Yates said any organization that might want the Grill Squad at their event, primarily those with a youth focus, should reach out to the department to see what can be coordinated. In the past, the Grill Squad has set up at school end-of-year picnics, the Quincy Park District’s summer youth programs, and more.

“Deputy Chief Travis Wiemelt would be a good point of contact,” Yates said. “We want something that’s going to be kid-oriented. And if there’s going to be a large group, maybe we can get some parent-volunteers that could help us out. But we’re always looking for opportunities to engage with the community.”

QPD was joined at Indian Hills by deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, an ambulance from the Adams County EMS, and two troopers from the Illinois State Police. Residents, kids in particular, were treated to tours of the QPD Crime Scene van, the ERT’s HMMWV, and the ambulance. They were also treated to a K-9 officer demonstration from the state police.

Yates was quick to share praise on everyone that volunteered their time to make it a memorable day for the young residents.

“I just appreciate the various volunteers, the officers that are out today,” he said. “The Junior Police Academy is always a good event; we always enjoy engaging with the kids and letting them learn about the police department. So I just appreciate everybody in the police department that has always been supportive of this and out here with us today.”