3 December 2008
ADVISORY GROUP FORMED TO COMBAT RISE IN VIOLENCE IN HANOVER PARK Village President Craig and Congressman Roskam Spearheading Effort
Pictured in photo: Left to right: Pastor Ron Heitman, Evangel Church, Village Police Chief Ronald Moser, Pastor Jennie Swanson, Living Christ Lutheran Church, Trustee Toni Carter, Pastor Frank Dominowski, Firm Foundation Church, Rev. Mathew Idicula, St. Columba Church, Larry Greathouse, Smyrna Church, State Representative Fred Crespo, Mayor Rod Craig, and US Congressman Peter Roskam.
HANOVER PARK, IL – In response to two recent homicides in Hanover Park, Village President Rodney Craig and Congressman Peter J. Roskam met with community leaders to discuss how the village and surrounding communities should address an increase in violent crime.
President Craig’s newly formed “Leadership Team” and future advisory group will help identify current shortfalls and make recommendations while coordinating appropriate local, state and federal resources to address current and future problems.
Mayor Rod Craig clearly articulated that, “The residents of Hanover Park need assurances that their elected officials are engaged in the problems and concerns of the people of Hanover Park. Meeting with our Clergy is just the beginning of a journey for these leaders to assure our quality of life is sustained and Hanover Park is a great place to raise a family.”
“My constituents moved into communities like Hanover Park for the great schools, open space and to raise their families in a safe and secure home,” said Congressman Roskam. “It is essential that local leaders unite to stem the current trend of violence and work toward solutions that provide communities with necessary tools to combat criminal behavior.”
Also in attendance, State Representative Fred Crespo, Village Police Chief Ronald Moser and representatives from local churches includin; Pastor Ron Heitman of Evangel Church, Jennie Swanson of Living Christ Lutheran Church, Larry Greathouse Smyrna Church, Rev. Mathew Idicula of St. Columba Church, Pastor Frank Dominowski of Firm Foundation Church, and Trustee Toni Carter.
“Solving these types of problems in our neighborhoods is most effective at a grassroots level,” continued President Craig. “That being said, we must also utilize any appropriate state or federal resources that may be available and I want to thank Congressman Roskam and State Representative Crespo for their support.”
The advisory group will reconvene in January at Springwood Jr. High School in Hanover Park to begin a foundation of leadership, education, spirit, and government. Exact time and date to be determined.
7 comments:
I applaud this effort to combat violence in our community. I was curious to know if our representative Melissa Bean has shown interest in taking part in solving this problem. I believe that both murders occurred in her constituent area. Thank you Mayor Craig for working so hard!
Lisa Trousdale (Natasha's mom)
Rodney,
Good to see a team form and
know you have made another commitment to the quality of life in Hanover Park. There isn't an idea I could offer that wouldn't
have some expense. Curfew applied to neighborhood, car to door only?
More cameras and fake cams, who would monitor them, neighborhood watch teams, movement on record only?
John Mayeux
Mr. Mayor,
I believe this is a great stepping stone to the Village's involvement in this terrible time of violence. With people having, what they think, nothing else to turn to except violence, I hope we can add more police to the streets and enact some older enforcements as well. You have my suppport all the way.
Once again Maroe Craig is showing that he really does care about the community and is taking not only an interest, but is being ACTIVE in trying to fid solutions to the issues in Hanover Park.
I cant think of many other towns where a mayor is as hands on as Rod is.
WAY TO GO! This is what this town needs!
See, this is why I moved here. Proactive. But, now you actually have to DO something. May I also suggest more enforcement on "quality of life" rules such as sidewalk snow removal, 8 inch grass length limit, noise pollution etc...
Mister Craig,
Thank you for assembling caring citizens, and encouraging them to get into the communities. Please ask the ministers to bring the gospel, the good news of Christ, house to house if need be. Of course, with proper caution, and all courtesy! Add your comments, but please relay my message.
God be with the victims families, and with Hanover Park.
Paul Westberg
Dear Mayor Craig, i also salute your efforts in a strategy for specific target areas at the moment while new positions are being filled. I do believe that the officers ( that are only part time) traffic enforcement, should be employed 24/7. I see their benifits as many at this time and in the future. As the traffic officer's for overnight street enforcement. The finalization of intermediate paperwork that needs to be filled out during and after a crime that take full time officers off the street after midnight, if that is legally possible. To prevent having other departments covering any crime scenes if we have shortages as in county or state or other local departments areas when their borders intersect or parallel those of any of the Hanover Park jurisdiction areas. Over night and during the day these officers may or may not be qualified backup to routine police stops?? What ever routine means. Though if deployed in a patrol car instead of a van, these officers can substitute or may replace a local patrol officers area so that he or she may back up that stop. They may well be the deterent with something happening in one area while a full time officer is away backing up that so called routine stop. My guess is they make far less money than a full time police officer. Till midnight they wear a uniform designed to serve and protect the community. though be it in a lower form of criminal offenses, I think they should be working at a rate compensated for by shift differential ,so that overnighter's, can be alllowed to work and make more money for being there when needed. When not needed they can be highley trained to follow up on the reports and save manpower of the full time officers. Since these files are police agenda daily they can be followed up by the officer at shift's end, verified for accuracy and or ammended and then filed.
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