Showing posts with label Police Department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Police Department. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Police Department Accreditation Nears Completion

Since I made changes in the police department a few years ago and demanded a better more professional department the department has taken giant steps forward. One of these major steps is an on-site assessment as part of a program to achieve accreditation by verifying it meets professional standards.

Administered by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with state-of-the-art standards in four areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

As part of the on-site assessment, Department employees and members of the community are invited to offer comment at a public information session on Monday, December 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. The session will be conducted in the Round Lake Police Department Community Room located at 741 West Town Line Road, Round Lake, Illinois 60073.

Department members and the public are also invited to offer comments by calling (847) 201-2169 on December 15, 2008 between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Comments will be taken by the Assessment Team. Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the Department’s ability to comply with CALEA’s standards. To review the standards, please contact Director Michael S. Recupito at (847) 546-8112.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments about the Round Lake Police Department’s ability to comply with the standards for accreditation may send them to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®), 10302 Eaton Place, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030-2215, or www.calea.org

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Liquor Issues-- 100% Compliance

On Friday, March 28, 2008, the Round Lake Police Department conducted an Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement operation. Fifteen of the seventeen liquor establishments in the Village of Round Lake were checked. I am happy to announce that NO ONE sold alcohol to the minor. This is the first time that the Village of Round Lake has had 100% compliance.

This ACE operation was conducted as part of a larger county-wide initiative and a cooperative press release is being drafted by the Waukegan Police Department. Thank you for your support of our continued efforts to eliminate the sale of alcohol to minors and the responsible sale of alcohol to adults. Of course, we will continue to conduct ACE operations and are planning one for prom time.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Whats up with all the Black Helicopter's

Many of you have asked me what's up with my personal fleet of black helicopters landing at the Police and Public Works station last week.

What really happened is the Law Enforcement Aviation Coalition (LEAC) conducted a training/educational session at our facility. LEAC was started by the Winthrop Harbor Police Department to provide air support for law enforcement in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

In 2005 they incorporated as a not for profit charitable organization. They own three Bell OH58 helicopters and have access to a privately owned Bell 430. The helicopters are based out of the Rockford, IL area and Kenosha, WI. The helicopters are equipped with Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), Night Vision, flood/spotlights, and radios to communicate with ground units.

Two helicopters landed and were displayed. I have attached several pictures and more information can be obtained at their website, www.airsupport.com

All of their personnel are volunteers. Having these helicopters available are a great resource to the Village. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Dramatic Rescue from Pond in Madrona

Yesterday , at 1:21PM, our police department received a call for a vehicle that had driven into the water at Concord and Wildspring in Madronna Village.

I would like you all to know that two of our officers were the first to arrive on scene and immediately swam out to rescue the occupant of the vehicle. Police Chief Cliffton Metaxa and Officer Kraig Kapusinski along with a Sheriffs Deputy in the area, swan out to the vehicle and pulled a lady out of the vehicle to safety.

Several other officers arrived along with the fire department and assisted the officers out of the water. The vehicle was eventually located and pulled from the water where it was determined no other occupants were in the vehicle. The occupant was transported to the hospital and it is believed she had a medical condition that may have contributed to the accident.

From Daily Herald--- A woman had to be rescued from her car after driving it into a retention pond in Round Lake Wednesday afternoon.

Police said the unidentified 28-year-old Round Lake Park woman was driving east on Concord Drive and drove directly into the pond where Concord dead-ends with Wildspring Road.

Police officials said witnesses reported the woman didn't appear to try and turn the Chevrolet Cavalier she was driving at the intersection. She was transported to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Hospital officials would not release her condition.

Round Lake Police Lt. Pete Molidor said the crash occurred around 1:20 p.m. The car was floating in the pond when emergency workers arrived at the scene, but sank after rescuers popped a window in order to rescue the unresponsive woman.

The car was eventually extracted from the pond. The investigation is ongoing, Molidor said. Police have not interviewed the woman and no citations have been issued.

From the News Sun-- Woman rescued from sinking car-- Drove into pond in Round Lake

ROUND LAKE -- Quick teamwork by rescuers helped save the life of a woman who drove her car into a pond Wednesday afternoon.

First responders were able to reach the woman and pull her out of her car before it fully submerged, after it went crashing into the Madrona Village retention pond near Route 120 and Wildspring Road, in Round Lake.

The unidentified woman was westbound on Concord Drive around 1 p.m. when she failed to yield at Wildspring, and drove her gold Chevy Cavalier into the large retention pond.

Round Lake Police Chief Cliff Metaxa was one of the first on the scene Wednesday. When he arrived he said he saw the car nose first in the water, about 70 feet off shore. Before divers arrived he jumped into the chilly water and swam to the car where the woman, who he described in her 30s, was in neck-deep water.

Metaxa was joined by Round Lake Police Officer Kraig Kapusinski, Round Lake Firefighter Jay Vandeberg and off-duty Sheriff's Deputy Stephen Hennelly. The four were able to break a window in the car and pull the woman to shore where she was taken away by an ambulance.

"I credit the officers that were in the water with me," Metaxa said. "Along with the firefighters, we were able to save a life today."

Metaxa said the woman was conscious but disoriented. She was taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where her condition was unknown.

The accident was still under investigation Wednesday afternoon. Round Lake officers did not know how the woman wound up in the pond, or if citations would be issued. No tracks were visible leading from the road into the pond. Tire marks were visible on the curb and it appears the vehicle was airborne when it entered the pond.

Divers worked with a tow truck to pull the car from the bottom of the pond, which is deeper than 8 feet at its center.

When the car was pulled out of the pond, it was caked with mud and grass. Water filled it up to its windows and the windshield wipers were working. Firefighters poked holes in the door and smashed windows to allow it to drain.

The accident drew large crowds to the quiet subdivision. Resident Jim Kerwin was among those gathered around the pond. He was working in his backyard about a block from the pond when the accident occurred. He said he heard what sounded like a crash and then a bunch of geese squawking as they flew away.

"I didn't really think anything of it," Kerwin said.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Truck Weight Enforcement

Last week the Police Department did one of there regular truck weight enforcement programs. We purchased some scales a few years ago and with the proper training of the officers we have written quite a few tickets on overweights.

The numbers are startling:
72 tickets
$25,002 in fines levied.

The most recent enforcement project on August 2nd netted 4 tickets and a potential of $3,370 in fines. We have a couple of officers who are trained in truck overweights who have done an excellent job with this program in the last year or so. In the picture you can see the truck parked on the scales if you look closely.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Speed Trailer Installed on My Street

I was outside early last week, mowing the lawn watching the kids play in the street, when one particular neighbor kid was roaring around on his bike outside the cul-de-sac.

Which is all fine and dandy except he is maybe 5 and 27lbs and on training wheels, (his parents also appear to pay zero attention to the play habits of this child, although I may be a wee bit over protective, since I would still have my 17 year old daughter in a car seat if I could).

Needless to say cars also roar down the street, to my un-expert eye well over 25 mph, so I thought to myself...hey I am the Mayor, I have some pull....let me call the PD up and have that trailer moved to my street on its next movement (its outside about 320 days a year in random locations) So needless to say a few days later it appeared.

It was here for about two days (the picture is of my neighbor Rudy, who wanted to measure his fastball against it, which I discouraged). Anyway the data is in....and 354 cars passed by, and not one went over 25mph! The average speed was 13.5mph!


I was amazed! Not a single one! Shocking....I wonder what we should do next? Hummmm maybe that can be a second part of this post for a later date!

The trailer has been moved to the Bright Meadows development I think for its next stop!

Friday, July 20, 2007

Bank Robbery Solved-- Kudos to our Police Department!

The Round Lake Police Department, announced the arrest of Jeremy C. Wood age 27, of 6705 Maple Lane, Westmont, Illinois 60559 for the July 9, 2007 armed robbery of the NorStates Bank Round Lake branch. WOOD, an active parolee, was arrested without incident on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at approximately 10:30 AM while he left his residence.

An initial investigation by the Round Lake Police Department led to the identification of Wood, which later culminated in a joint investigation conducted by the Round Lake Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Illinois Department of Corrections and other local law enforcement agencies.

After his arrest, Wood confessed to the NorStates Bank robbery and three other bank robberies throughout Illinois. Wood is currently in Federal custody awaiting charges.

The public is reminded that an arrest is not evidence of guilt and that the defendant in this criminal case is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Local Bank Robbed

Attached is a flyer sent out to area law enforcement agencies regarding an armed robbery that occurred Monday at NorStates Bank at 301 Goodnow Blvd at 3:06pm. The offender fled with approx. $1,200. The FBI was contacted and is involved with the investigation. Please contact the Round Lake Police at 847-546-8112 if you have information on this ongoing investigation.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Motorcycle Awareness

With the recent series of motorcycle fatalities in the area I thought it appropriate to go over some basic motorcycle safety tips. Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers, not by motorcyclists. The driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash. Special thanks to Sean Gillette for sending me most of this material!

Why Didn't I See That Motorcycle?

  • Drivers tend to look for other cars, not motorcycles.
  • Because of its smaller profile, a motorcycle is harder to see and you may find it more difficult to estimate the motorcycle's speed.
  • The motorcyclist's riding pattern is different from your driving pattern. Different actions may be needed for the same driving or highway situation. For example, you may ignore a piece of road debris as a driver; however, that same piece of road debris may be deadly for a motorcyclist.
  • Traffic, weather, and road conditions require a motorcyclist to react differently than a driver, thus it is more difficult for you to judge and to predict cues that may require the motorcyclist to take an evasive action.

What Are Some Situations When Crashes Are Most Likely to Occur?

  • Car making a left turn: You are attempting a left turn in front of a motorcycle operator.
  • Riding in your blind spot: A motorcyclist is riding in your blind spot and you may not see the motorcycle. Additionally, you may fail to adequately check blind spots before changing lanes or making turn.
  • Hazardous road conditions: Potholes, wet leaves, railroad tracks and other road obstructions may dictate that a motorcyclist take an action that you may or may not.
  • Obstructed line of sight: Large vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, delivery vans, and large trucks may block a motorcycle from your view and the motorcyclist may seem to suddenly appear.

How Can I Become More Aware of Motorcyclists?

  • Respect the motorcyclist: Remember the motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the privileges of any vehicle on the roadway. Give the motorcyclist a full lane of travel.
  • Look out: Look for the motorcyclist at intersections, when a motorcyclist may be making a left turn, and on the highway, when a motorcyclist may be changing lanes. Clearly signal your intentions.
  • Anticipate a motorcyclist's maneuver: Obstructions that you do not notice may be deadly for a motorcyclist. Predict evasive actions.
  • Allow plenty of space: Don't follow a motorcycle too closely. Allow enough room for the motorcyclist to take evasive actions.

Where Can I Go For More Information?

American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147
Phone: 641/856-1900
1-800-AMA-JOIN
Fax: 614-856-1920
http://www.amadirectlink.com

Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Phone: 202/546-0983

Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Phone: 949/727-3227

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Phone: 202/366-1739

National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
Phone: 612/785-9242


Over two-thirds of car-motorcycle crashes are caused by drivers, not by motorcyclists. The driver either does not see the oncoming motorcyclist at all or does not see the motorcyclist in time to avoid a crash.

Why Didn't That Driver See Me?

  • Don't assume that you are visible to a driver. As a motorcyclist, it is your responsibility to make your presence known to the driver. Select and wear an appropriate helmet with retroreflective materials. Wear bright, contrasting protective clothing. If you choose darker clothing, wear a fluorescent vest.
  • 23 states require that the headlight be on while the motorcycle is on the highway. Use high beams rather than low beams and consider using a modulating headlight if your state allows it.
  • Proper lane position is important to being seen and for protecting your riding space. If you can see the driver in the side-view mirror, the driver can see you. Don't "hide" in the driver's blind spot!
  • Clearly, communicate your intentions by signaling appropriately. Let the driver know what you intend to do.

What are Some Situations When Crashes are Most Likely to Occur?

  • Car making a left turn: A driver is attempting a left turn in front of you.
  • Riding in a driver's blind spot: You are riding in the driver's blind spot and the driver may not see the motorcycle. Additionally, the driver may fail to adequately check blind spots before changing lanes or making turn.
  • Hazardous road conditions: Potholes, wet leaves, railroad tracks and other road obstructions may dictate that you take an action that a driver may not or does not anticipate.
  • Obstructed line of sight: Large vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, delivery vans, and large trucks may block a motorcycle from a driver's view and you may seem to suddenly appear.

How Can I Increase the Driver's Awareness of My Presence?

  • Make yourself visible: Choose protective gear that will increase your visibility in addition to providing protection in the event of a crash. A motorcycle helmet is your most valuable piece of protective gear and should be most visible to the driver.
  • Ride where you can be seen: Remember that there is no one safe place to ride. Use lane positioning to your advantage to be seen and to provide extra space for emergency braking situations or avoidance maneuvers. Avoid the driver's blind spots. Make your lane moves gradually, and always use appropriate signaling.
  • Never share a lane with a car: A driver may not expect you to be there and may not be aware of your presence. Remember most drivers are looking for other, bigger vehicles.
  • Clearly signal your intentions to the driver: Signal before changing lanes and never weave between lanes.


Where Can I Go For More Information?

American Motorcyclist Association
Phone: 641/891-2425

Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Phone: 202/546-0983

Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Phone: 949/727-3227

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Phone: 202/366-1739

National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
Phone: 612/785-9242


Thursday, May 31, 2007

Community Cleanup in the Avilon/Capri Area

The Round Lake Police Department organized a community cleanup in the Avilon/Capri area on Saturday, May 26, 2007. Members of the police department, owners of the apartments, tenants of the apartments and local home owners all participated in the cleanup. There were around one hundred people who pitched in to help. The goal of the cleanup was to improve the quality of life in the area. Now that the area has been cleaned up, the tenants understand the expectations and have committed to keeping the area clean. This was a great community policing event and I want to specifically recognize the hard work of CSO Juan Curiel and Detective Ted Hendricks for their hard work in organizing the cleanup.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Round Lake-- Illinois Police Accreditation Coalition (I-PAC).

Wednesday our Police Department hosted the regular monthly meeting of the Illinois Police Accreditation Coalition (I-PAC). The mission of I-PAC is to promote professionalism among Police Departments in Illinois, and surrounding Midwestern states. I-PAC's primary function is to conduct mock on-sites (inspections) for agencies, provide training, and assist in the revision of the CALEA® standards manual. I-PAC is currently one of the largest CALEA® PAC's.

Following the meeting, there was a brief demonstration by the Illinois-Wisconsin Search & Rescue Dogs (ILL-WIS), which will included an information presentation and a canine demonstration.

The following departments attended the meeting representing : Arlington Heights PD, Barrington-Inverness PD, Champaign PD, DuPage Forest Preserve PD, Evanston PD, Grayslake PD, Hanover Park PD, Joliet PD, Lake Zurich PD, Lemont PD, McHenry PD, Naperville PD, Northfield PD, Oak Brook PD, Palatine PD, Park Ridge PD, Rolling Meadows PD, Round Lake PD, Round Lake Beach, PD Schaumburg PD, St. Charles PD, Westmont PD, Wheeling PD, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Winnetka PD, and last but not least the Zion PD

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Why you should wear your seatbelt!

On the Making Light blog, novelist Jim Macdonald -- who is also a paramedic -- lays out the stark, grisly case for wearing your seatbelt. New Jersey's Governor Jon S Corzine was recently badly injured in a car collision. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt. The two other passengers in the vehicle were wearing their seat belts -- they sustained bumps and bruises. Macdonald's description of what he sees when responding to "unrestrained passenger" accidents aren't for the faint of heart.
In a collision, you have three or four sub-collisions all taking place in sequence. First, the vehicle hits some object. The vehicle abruptly slows, but unrestrained objects inside it continue at the same speed, in the same direction. Then the unrestrained body hits the interior of the vehicle, and starts to slow. That’s the second collision. That body’s internal organs are still moving at speed until they hit the inside of the chest (or get cheese-sliced by their supporting ligaments—and that’s where you get things like bisected livers or aortas). The fourth collision is when the bowling ball you left on the rear deck hits you in the back of the head, because that continued at the same speed in the same direction. Newtonian physics: Learn it, live it, love it.
Just so you know at some point during the spring and summer we will be doing spot enforcement checks of seat belts along with seat belt awareness campaigns.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Police Officer of the Year Named

Last week the village board got a visit from the Officer Adam Arnold the Round Lake Police Department Employee of the Year for 2006. He left with an award and another bonus, a promotion he was next up on the Sergeants list for promotion to one of our vacancies!

What follows is Police Chief Cliff Metaxa's presentation of the award and Officer Arnold to the village board. (The picture from left to right is Chief Metaxa, Sergeant Arnold and Deputy Chief Francis Foy.)
Upon unanimous selection by the supervisors of the Round Lake Police Department, it gives me great pleasure to recognize Officer Adam Arnold as the Police Department’s Employee of the Year for the year of 2006.

Officer Arnold has distinguished himself with his performance on patrol where he made double the number of arrests than the second highest officer and with the DARE program where he has made such a positive impact on the community.

I am very proud to recognize you as the Round Lake Police Department’s Employee of the Year. We are here this evening, in part, to recognize the efforts of Officer Adam Arnold and by that recognition, promote him to a higher level of responsibility and authority. Part of this responsibility includes the ability to listen carefully, plan, delegate work assignments, correct mistakes, solve problems, make sound management decisions, coach, counsel and administer discipline.

Being a modern police manager in today’s environment is far from a simple task. Today’s law enforcement managers are constantly challenged to understand and effectively deal with many complex factors and trends.

Officer Arnold began his career with the Round Lake Police Department in April of 2004 as a police officer. Adam has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Illinois and served four years in the United States Marine Corp. Adam became a state certified police officer in June of 2004. He is also a state certified Advanced Evidence Technician, a Narcotics Investigator, and completed NIPAS’ Critical Incident Response course.

Most people in the community know Adam as our DARE officer. Adam has done a fantastic job with the DARE program and has affected the lives of hundreds of children in our community. Adam lives in Lake Villa, Illinois with his wife Angie and their newborn twins Ryan and Emily.

Adam, in your newly appointed position, you will be challenged to:
  • Make things happen.
  • Set high standards for yourself and your subordinates.
  • Protect and promote the mission of the police department.
  • Set an example of quality leadership.
Accomplishing these goals should prove to be meaningful and rewarding, both personally and professionally. Adam, you have my full support and confidence.

Monday, March 12, 2007

COMMENTARY-- Gangs Part 2

The Round Lake Area had traditionally benefited from many multi-jurisdictional efforts such as the Lakes Management Commission, Chamber of Commerce, the Round Lake Area Park District, parades and events. It is a little know fact among many area residents that the Round Lake Area police departments have worked closely for a number of years. Recently, the Round Lake Area Chiefs of Police meet and agreed to increase the level of multi-jurisdictional law enforcement efforts.

The Chiefs recognized that their departments are routinely dealing with the same offenders throughout the Round Lake area. For example, a delinquent juvenile who attends the Round Lake High School might live in Round Lake Park and probably hangs out in Round Lake Beach (this is only an example and not meant to indicate that delinquent juveniles live in Round Lake Park). That delinquent juvenile could possibly come into contact with three different police departments. Why should three separate police departments build three separate cases against the same delinquent juvenile? Why not join forces and maximize resources? That is exactly what the Round Lake Area police departments are doing.

Starting this spring, the Round Lake Area police departments will be increasing their cooperative enforcement efforts in the areas of gangs, general investigations, DUI enforcement, commercial vehicle enforcement, boat patrol and areas of CALEA accreditation that the departments share such as dispatch. I applaud these efforts and hope that they will have a positive impact on the limited crime that we have in the Round Lake Area.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

CALEA-- Timeline starts now!

On the 26th of February the village board started the clock ticking on the Police Departments CALEA accreditation process. Its a 36 month process that ultimately leads to being a certified agency.

As many of you know we have had to forcefully yank our police department out of the past and into the future in the last two and half years. The process has been painful and costly. If some had spent as much energy resisting change as they had in getting with the program we would be much better off. But I can't change the past, only take us towards a better future.

CALEA is the way law enforcement agencies
voluntarily demonstrate their commitment to excellence in law enforcement. The standards upon which the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is based reflect the current thinking and experience of law enforcement practitioners and researchers. Major law enforcement associations, leading educational and training institutions, governmental agencies, as well as law enforcement executives internationally, acknowledge CALEA’s Standards for Law Enforcement Agencies and its Accreditation Program as benchmarks for today’s law enforcement agency.
  • CALEA Accreditation requires an agency to develop a comprehensive, well thought out, uniform set of written directives. This is one of the most successful methods for reaching administrative and operational goals, while also providing direction to personnel. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • Accreditation standards provide the necessary reports and analyses a CEO needs to make fact-based, informed management decisions. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • CALEA Accreditation requires a preparedness program be put in place – so an agency is ready to address natural or man-made unusual occurrences. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • Accreditation is a means for developing or improving upon an agency’s relationship with the community. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • CALEA Accreditation strengthens an agency’s accountability, both within the agency and the community, through a continuum of standards that clearly define authority, performance, and responsibilities. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • Being CALEA Accredited can limit an agency’s liability and risk exposure because it demonstrates that internationally recognized standards for law enforcement have been met, as verified by a team of independent outside CALEA-trained assessors. (Click HERE for a list of standards.)
  • CALEA Accreditation facilitates an agency’s pursuit of professional excellence.

Monday, March 5, 2007

COMMENTARY-- Gangs Part 1

This is the first of a multiple part discussion of gangs. There will be another part that discuss some of the steps that our police are taking in conjunction with the other police departments in the area to combat gangs in the area. Much of the information gathered here is from the following two sources (here and here) in addition Police Chief Cliff Metaxa helped quite a bit.

The existence of gangs in the Round Lake Area is not a new or recent phenomenon. The following is a brief discussion of the history of gangs and specifically Chicago based street gangs.

Gangs in the United States have been traced back to the post Revolutionary War days and originally formed as a means of self-protection and as social clubs. In the early nineteenth century, Irish immigrants formed the first street gangs in New York City. By the 1920's, the city of Chicago is reported to have had over 1300 gangs in the city


In the 1960's a "youth group" called the Black P-Stone Rangers developed into a criminal organization. The group's leader, Jeff Fort, united the leaders of some 50 area street gangs into a single organization, the “Black P-Stone Nation”. The group was controlled by a 21-man commission, self-titled the "Main 21". The leaders projected the group as a socially conscious, self-help organization that would help uplift themselves and their community. As a result of this premise, the group sought and obtained $1.4 million in federal anti-poverty funds. These funds were then used to support the group's illegal activities. A federal grand jury uncovered the funds mismanagement and Jeff Fort was sent to federal prison.

The perceived success of Fort's Black P-Stone Nation resulted in the formation of many other street gangs, which claimed to be politically and socially motivated. Of the groups that surfaced, many dropped to a level of disorganization, while others developed into sophisticated, highly organized groups involved in prostitution, robbery, burglary, extortion, and drug sales.

Two very influential gangs, the Black Disciples, led by David Barksdale, and the Gangster Disciples, led by Larry Hoover, followed Fort's example and unified their gangs to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. Throughout the 1970's, the Black P-Stone Nation and Black Gangster Disciple Nation controlled the Chicago drug trade and became bitter rivals expressing their anger by creating the bloodiest gang war in Chicago's history.

During the 1980's, within the prison walls, gangs began separating into alliances. The two alliance names that emerged were the “People Nation” and “Folk Nation”. All gangs that were originally aligned with the Black P-Stone Nation aligned with People Nation. Those that were originally aligned with the Black Gangster Disciple Nation aligned with the Folk Nation.
Many gangs or "sets", as they are called, are aligned with one of the two Chicago alliances. The more prevalent groups are shown below by alliance.

People Nation Sets
  • Black P-Stone
  • Latin Kings
  • Vicelords
  • Spanish Lords
  • El Rukns
  • Bishops
  • Gaylords
  • Latin Counts
  • Kents
Folk Nation Sets
  • Black Gangster Disciples
  • Black Disciples
  • Gangster Disciples
  • La Raza
  • Cobras
  • Eagles
  • Latin Disciples
  • Maniac Latin Disciples
  • Simon City Royals
  • Spanish Gangsters
  • Two Sixers

It is very common for Chicago-based gangs to maintain charters, constitutions, recruiting documents, and other written materials. These documents are almost always in cryptic code or subliminally hidden in artwork. Rules and codes of conduct must be strictly followed. Those members who choose not to participate in a gang activity are subject to disciplinary action or "violations".

Graffiti is used by gangs to communicate with fellow members and rivals. Disrespect to a rival gang or their members is accomplished by displaying rival symbols in a disrespectful manner. The disrespect of symbols communicates hatred toward the rival group. This type of graffiti encourages retaliation. The most effective method of preventing this activity is to quickly remove the graffiti in order to reduce the amount of recognition gained by the act. Notify local authorities and request the removal of graffiti.

In the Round Lake Area, you can contact CenCom at the non-emergency telephone number (847-270-9111) to report graffiti. In the Village of Round Lake, the village code 9.16.080 states:

It shall be the duty of the owner of the structure or wall upon which any inscription or representation prohibited in subsection A of this section is made, to block or remove such inscription or representation or to otherwise repair or restore the structure or wall to its prior condition within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of notice of such occurrence.

If you have any questions about gangs you can contact your local police department. If you live in the Village of Round Lake you can contact the Round Lake Police Department at (847) 546-8112.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Disaster Management

A number of Lake County emergency response and relief personnel were in Round Lake two weeks ago for a federal class on disaster management developed since Sept. 11 and Hurricane Katrina.
The proper name of the course is the unwieldy "Command & General Staff Functions in the Incident Command System" and it was held in the new Round Lake police and public works facility. It was taught by staff with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. The course is is designed for those officers who would function in a Command or General Staff position during a large, complex incident. Or those officers who are or would likely be part of a local or regional Incident Management Team during a major incident, whether single agency, multi-agency, or Unified Command. We had three people in the class.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Round Lake Police and Public Works Facility to Win National Award?

That's a good question! Sente Rubel Bosman and Lee, the architect of the Police and Public Works facility has entered the building in the American Public Works Association annual contest for best designed building.

The building of course combines the Police department, the community rooms, and the Public Works department. It's an excellent use of resources and the building is designed for expansion and growth so in my humble opinion its a winner!

Entry is here as a 2MB PDF AwardSubmissionPDF.pdf

Friday, December 1, 2006

Gang Awareness Program-- Joint Meeting with the Other Round Lakes

There was a superb program coordinated with out local Police departments for our hispanic population talking about gang awareness and how the area police departments deal with gang issues in the area. There was a very extensive program with quite a bit of audience participation covering a wide range of ideas and concepts. I would guess that nearly 200 people attended. I commend the area police department and district 116 for grabbing the bull by the horn.

The highlight was the talk by a Round Lake Beach Police Sergeant who was excellent in both English and Spanish! I learned tons of things!

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

We are a Series of Beats!

The Police Department has scheduled three "“Beat Meetings"” for the month of December. Each meeting will be specific to one police beat (section of the Village). The goal of the beat meetings is to offer a clear line of communication between the police department and the citizens they serve. The beat meetings will be held in the Community Room at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates: December 1st (Beat 1), December 8th (Beat 2) and December 15th (Beat 3). There will be some information on the next water bill and detailed information will be on the police section of the village website in the next few days.

For those of you wondering what beat you are in, as I was, here is a description. For those of you who want a visual representation of where the beat boundaries are I will send you a PDF map if you email me.
Beat 1
From Park Road on the north to Route 120 on the south. From our neighbor, Round Lake Park on the east to Fairfield Road on the west.

Beat 2
From Route 134 on the north to the southernmost section of Valley Lakes subdivision. From Fairfield Road on the east to our village limits on the west.

Beat 3
Everyone south of Route 120.
I will write a little bit more about these as we get closer to the actual dates.

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