I wanted to share the article below from the Daily Herald. The revitalization of the neighborhood watch program is an important step as we work to ensure public safety in Hanover Park.
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Hanover Park revives neighborhood watch program
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=314906
By Kimberly Pohl | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 8/19/2009 3:11 PM
A spike in violent crime in Hanover Park forced the police department to shift strategy in recent months.
Administrators traded in their desks for a squad car, other law enforcement agencies lent personnel and crime-related ordinances were reviewed for toughening.
Now, the Hanover Park Police Department is reviving the neighborhood watch program in hopes residents will do more to aid authorities in preventing and combating crime.
"Citizens are the eyes and ears of the police department and we need them to be partners just as they need us," interim police Chief David Webb said. "We can't be everywhere."
Police are advertising the program and creating a database of residents willing to step up as block captains. Those people will be responsible for organizing and facilitating meetings, recruiting new members and serving as a liaison to the police department.
More than 25 parents signed up to be block captains while registering students at Hanover Highlands Elementary School, Mayor Rod Craig said. Even more agreed to participate in some capacity.
Webb said police will map out where all the block captains reside and recruit in areas that aren't yet covered.
Hanover Park's neighborhood watch program was one of several crime prevention initiatives such as DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) the department eliminated a few years ago in the wake of budget cuts.
The funding still isn't there, but Webb said he felt it was important to respond to residents' call to have an organized neighborhood watch. He has tapped Lt. Mike Menough and officers Cindi Leon and Hugo Villa to run the program.
"It's been on hiatus for a while, but starting it back up is the right thing to do given the issues that have occurred in town," Craig said. "People want to be engaged."
Craig said violent crime in Hanover Park seems to have subsided, pointing to the two-and-a-half months that have passed since four homicides occurred within a two-week span.
"Thinks are nice and quiet right now," Craig said. "It's not a perfect environment, but we've taken extra measures and have received a lot of support to ensure our residents feel safe."
Hanover Park residents interested in becoming block captains can call the police department's new neighborhood watch hotline at (63... or e-mail hpnw@hpil.org.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Victory over Violence Opening Ceremony
I was pleased to have been part of the Victory over Violence Opening Ceremony (see this post for more information).
Be a Block Captain...
This piece was sent in the last enews from the Village. I thought it was worth posting:
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Neighborhood Watch Program
The Hanover Park Police Department’s primary goal is to help improve the safety and quality of life within the Village of Hanover Park. In order to achieve this goal, the Hanover Park Police Department continuously takes “zero tolerance” enforcement action against gangs, illegal drugs and other crimes. The Hanover Park Police Department is encouraging all residents to assist the police department with this goal by becoming a Neighborhood Watch block captain.
Neighborhood Watch is a program that encourages members of the community to join with law enforcement to prevent illegal activity in their neighborhoods. A Neighborhood Watch group usually consists of a group of residents who reside near one another. Citizens are taught how to decrease the chances of being a victim of a crime and how to report suspicious activity. Members of a Neighborhood Watch group get to know their neighbor’s routines, vehicles and other habits or information which helps residents to recognize any suspicious or criminal activity.
The block captain is responsible for organizing and facilitating meetings, recruiting new members and serving as a liaison to the police department. The Hanover Park Police Department is encouraging residents to get involved and become a block captain.
If residents have any interest or questions about becoming a block captain, please contact the Hanover Park Police Department Neighborhood Watch Hotline @ 630-550-5050 or send an email to hpnw@hpil.org.
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Neighborhood Watch Program
The Hanover Park Police Department’s primary goal is to help improve the safety and quality of life within the Village of Hanover Park. In order to achieve this goal, the Hanover Park Police Department continuously takes “zero tolerance” enforcement action against gangs, illegal drugs and other crimes. The Hanover Park Police Department is encouraging all residents to assist the police department with this goal by becoming a Neighborhood Watch block captain.
Neighborhood Watch is a program that encourages members of the community to join with law enforcement to prevent illegal activity in their neighborhoods. A Neighborhood Watch group usually consists of a group of residents who reside near one another. Citizens are taught how to decrease the chances of being a victim of a crime and how to report suspicious activity. Members of a Neighborhood Watch group get to know their neighbor’s routines, vehicles and other habits or information which helps residents to recognize any suspicious or criminal activity.
The block captain is responsible for organizing and facilitating meetings, recruiting new members and serving as a liaison to the police department. The Hanover Park Police Department is encouraging residents to get involved and become a block captain.
If residents have any interest or questions about becoming a block captain, please contact the Hanover Park Police Department Neighborhood Watch Hotline @ 630-550-5050 or send an email to hpnw@hpil.org.
Hanover Park Recycling Event
Hanover Park Recycling Event
Hanover Park, Village Hall
2121 W Lake St, Hanover Park
Sept 19 8am-Noon
Recyling ACCEPTED:
Hanover Park, Village Hall
2121 W Lake St, Hanover Park
Sept 19 8am-Noon
Recyling ACCEPTED:
- Document Shredding -up to 3 boxes/grocery bags of personal, confidential documents (no business documents) - staples & paper clips do not need to be removed
- Bicycles
- Cell Phones & Palm-sized Inkjet Cartridges
- CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs)
- Electronics - TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cameras, computers/laptops, copiers, cords, discs, electric typewriters, fax/adding machines, hard drives, keyboards, mice, monitors, PDAs, printers, scanners, small kitchen appliances, radios, speakers, stereos, telephones, zip drives.
- Eyeglasses & Hearing Aids (Lions Club)
- Tattered Flags
- Keys (Lions Club)
- Used Oil for recycling
- Scrap Metal - old metal patio furniture & swingsets, pots & pans, metal hangers, metal hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, etc),
- SLA Batteries (car, sump pump, marine, RV, motorcycle, etc.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Hanover Park Youth Benefit Ball
In response to the recent violence affecting our Village I am working with the Hanover Park Park Foundation (HPPF) to raise dollars to support scholarships for youth programs in Hanover Park. The goal is to “Promote Play and Create Harmony” in our Village. While the recent acts of violence are greatly disturbing and troubling, there is hope!
The HPPF has a long history of serving our youth and supporting Hanover Park Park District Programs. The HPPF recently created a subcommittee to plan a Youth Benefit Ball, hosted by Mayor Rod Craig. The subcommittee is comprised of the Park District, Village, Lions Club, Hanover Park Community Resource Center, and others who seek to provide access to after school programs via scholarships for youths who may not otherwise be able to afford the costs of program entry fee’s.
On October 30, 2009 at the Seville Banquet Hall, the HPPF will be sponsoring the 1st Annual Youth Benefit Ball, hosted by Mayor Rod Craig. Funds will go towards providing scholarships for after school programs to keep our children safe and away from violence. Invitations will be mailed out for the event and all contributions are tax deductible.
The HPPF has a long history of serving our youth and supporting Hanover Park Park District Programs. The HPPF recently created a subcommittee to plan a Youth Benefit Ball, hosted by Mayor Rod Craig. The subcommittee is comprised of the Park District, Village, Lions Club, Hanover Park Community Resource Center, and others who seek to provide access to after school programs via scholarships for youths who may not otherwise be able to afford the costs of program entry fee’s.
On October 30, 2009 at the Seville Banquet Hall, the HPPF will be sponsoring the 1st Annual Youth Benefit Ball, hosted by Mayor Rod Craig. Funds will go towards providing scholarships for after school programs to keep our children safe and away from violence. Invitations will be mailed out for the event and all contributions are tax deductible.
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