City of Dekalb City Council Committee of the Whole will meet on June 8.
Here is the agenda provided by the committee:
Please Note: On March 16, 2020, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued executive order 2020- 07 which declared that during the duration of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation pertaining to the coronavirus outbreak, “the provisions of the Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS, requiring or relating to in-person attendance by members of a public body are suspended. Specifically, (1) the requirement in 5 ILCS 120/2.01 that ‘members of a public body must be physically present’ is suspended; and (2) the conditions in 5 ILCS 120/7 limiting when remote participation is permitted are suspended.” The executive order further states that when a public meeting is considered necessary by the governing body, “public bodies are encouraged to provide video, audio, and/or telephonic access to meetings to ensure members of the public may monitor the meeting, and to update their websites and social media feeds to keep the public fully apprised of any modifications to their meeting schedules or the format of their meetings due to COVID-19, as well as their activities relating to COVID-19.” The City of DeKalb has taken prudent steps to assure that virtual Council member attendance and public access are assured within the intent of the Governor’s executive order.
Citizens wishing to view the meeting from home or elsewhere can tune in to Channel 14 or by following the link provided here.
Accommodations have been made for citizens to comment on a topic listed on the agenda (or a topic not listed on the agenda) by clicking on the link provided here. Comments will be read by the Mayor at the appropriate time during the meeting.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
B. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
D. CONSIDERATIONS
1. Consideration of the DeKalb Police Department’s Annual Report for 2019.
City Manager Summary: John Petragallo, Penny Meier, Bob Redel, Craig Woodruff, Steve Lekkas, Jason Leverton and many hands in the Police Department have prepared a thorough and analytical report on the department’s service to the DeKalb community in Fiscal Year 2019. A brief summary of that report follows.
Community Relations Team: The Police Department is acutely aware of how important relationships are with the community we serve. To sustain and enhance community connections the department created a new Community Relations Team in 2019. The team consists of six patrol officers, one detective, one sergeant, and two members of the command staff that will work in a more coordinated fashion on community relations initiatives. The department’s philosophy of proactive and problem-oriented policing underlies this initiative. Hopefully, more purposeful community engagement efforts will lead to a reduction in crime and greater public trust, which is crucial to the mission of the department.
Policy Revision and State Accreditation: In 2019, all of the department’s 115 Administrative and Operational policies were revised to reflect current operations, case law, and best practices. With the policies all conforming to the extensive professional standards published and promoted by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the department proceeded with official state accreditation through the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ILEAP). Accreditation was attained in 2019. ILEAP assessors were on-site in May 2019 to review the policies, inspect the facility, interview officers, and engage the public to ensure compliance with the 180 established standards, which include over 550 procedural items. An ILEAP representative presented the City with official recognition of the department’s accreditation at a City Council meeting on October 14, 2019. This represents a major accomplishment in terms of maintaining an updated comprehensive policy manual and recognition as a leader in professional law enforcement.
9-1-1 Consolidation: The State recently required many 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to consolidate, including those in DeKalb County. In June 2019, both the NIU Police Department and Sandwich Police Department consolidated their PSAPs with other agencies: the DeKalb Police Department PSAP now answers NIU’s 9-1-1 calls, and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office now answers Sandwich’s 9-1-1 calls. The transition has been smooth, and the goal is a combination of efficiency in call routing and overall cost savings.
Project H.O.P.E. (Heroin/Opioid Outreach Prevention and Education):
Project H.O.P.E. has been in effect for approximately one year. Project H.O.P.E. strives to intercept opioid abuse at the earliest possible point by getting opioid users into treatment to avoid entering the criminal justice system. The program has helped place 11 people into various addiction treatment facilities in the past year. Additionally, the program has provided information and assistance to others seeking help. In the battle against the opioid epidemic, the Police Department has continued to partner with other organizations including the DeKalb County Health Department, DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office, DeKalb County Probation Office, and Northern Illinois University. The Police Department helps to educate the community about the opioid epidemic by participating in presentations such as the NIU STEM Café and helping the DeKalb County Health Department provide training on the use of lifesaving NARCAN medication. The Police Department plans to expand Project H.O.P.E. throughout the county and will work with local law enforcement agencies to train other officers on how to place those in need into treatment centers.
COMPASS Program: In 2018, the Police Department deployed an innovative program to address juvenile crime called “COMPASS” – or “Changing Outcomes by Making Parents Accountable, Supported, and Successful.” The program is a multi-disciplinary approach involving a variety of community stakeholders. Its purpose is to reduce juvenile delinquent behavior at the earliest possible stage by engaging appropriate support for juveniles and their families to constructively modify behavior. In 2019, the COMPASS program supported over 20 families in attempts to reduce juvenile delinquency. Additionally, literature was created and provided to parents of children engaged in delinquent behavior. This engagement has been well received and seems to be an effective deterrent. Overall feedback received from parents and guardians has been very positive.
Cultural Diversity, De-escalation and Procedural Justice Training: A variety of training initiatives were provided to personnel within the Police Department during 2019. These included “Tactical De-escalation of Nonviolent Encounters,” “De-escalation and Smarter Policing,” “Legally Justified But Was it Avoidable?” and “Racial Intelligence Training and Engagement.” These trainings focus on techniques for avoiding violent encounters, self-awareness and officer wellness, as well as the procedural justice pillars of fairness, impartiality, and transparency. The goal of these training initiatives is to enhance public trust fostering stronger relationships between the community and the Police.
Safe Streets Initiative: In 2018, the Police Department implemented the Safe Streets Initiative to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life in the northwest quadrant of the City. For a number of years, this area, year-to-year, has had the highest call volume, incidence of crime, and demand for public safety services in the City. The Safe Streets Initiative is a comprehensive policing strategy that combines a variety of proactive policing practices, including enhanced parking regulations. In 2019, the Police Department evaluated the original Safe Streets ordinances and their effectiveness. The Police Department held numerous public meetings, conducted door-to-door surveys, and helped lead discussions concerning the Safe Streets Initiative in the Ellwood Historic District and other neighborhoods. During these engagement efforts, some residents requested fewer restrictions, while others requested additional restrictions. With the Council’s support, the initial program has been modified based on these discussions to ensure that the program is fulfilling its intended purposes. The program will continue to be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Next Generation 9-1-1 Project: DeKalb County has been a leader in the Next Generation 9-1-1 Project, a technology initiative that will update the countywide existing E9-1-1 system which has been in place since 1993. DeKalb is part of a nine-county regional consortium called the Northern Illinois Next Generation Alliance (NINGA), which will bring Next Generation 9-1-1 to the entire county well ahead of a proposed statewide system. Full regulatory approval for this project has been attained, a vendor has been selected, and the project is expected to be completed in 2020.
Crime Reduction Efforts: In 2019, the Police Department continued to employ a data-driven policing model focusing resources in problematic areas to address quality of life concerns and specific crime problems. Some strategies included Community-Oriented Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing programs, as well as community engagement to reduce crime and enhance public safety. The DeKalb Police and its co-policing partner, the Northern Illinois University Public Safety Department, will continue to work together regarding all aspects of proactive and community policing.
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program collects data on nine offenses often referred to as Part I offenses or index crimes – that is, violent crimes against persons and property. Such crimes are serious, occur with regularity in all parts of the country, and are likely to be reported to the police.
A table identifying Part I Crime statistics for DeKalb in 2019 follows:
Part I Crimes
| Type of Crime | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | % Change
(2018 to 2019) |
| Homicide | 1 | 0 | 1 | N/A |
| Criminal Sexual Assault | 40 | 45 | 41 | -9% |
| Robbery | 30 | 31 | 33 | 6% |
| Aggravated Battery/Assault | 118 | 152 | 170 | 12% |
| Burglary | 156 | 125 | 162 | 30% |
| Theft | 1,130 | 939 | 1,081 | 15% |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 37 | 41 | 41 | 0% |
| Arson | 7 | 6 | 12 | 100% |
| Human Trafficking | 0 | 1 | 0 | -100% |
| Total | 1,519 | 1,340 | 1,541 | 15% |
Part II offenses encompass all other crime groupings. This group includes simple assaults, forgery and counterfeiting, embezzlement and fraud, receiving stolen property, weapon violations, prostitution, sex crimes, crimes against family and children, narcotics, DUI, disturbing the peace, etc. Many of these categories are down as well, but the sharp rise in intimidation and sex offenses is worrisome.
Part II Crimes
| Type of Crime | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | % Change
(2018 to 2019) |
| Battery | 624 | 656 | 752 | 15% |
| Deception | 512 | 428 | 474 | 11% |
| Criminal Damage & Trespass | 794 | 721 | 698 | -3% |
| Deadly Weapons | 89 | 72 | 84 | 17% |
| Sex Offenses | 64 | 49 | 55 | 12% |
| Offenses Involving Children | 100 | 81 | 82 | 1% |
| Cannabis Control Act | 382 | 424 | 354 | -17% |
| Methamphetamine Offenses | 13 | 9 | 1 | -89% |
| Hypodermic Syringes & Needles Act | 13 | 17 | 8 | -53% |
| Drug Paraphernalia | 193 | 224 | 163 | -27% |
| Controlled Substance Act | 185 | 193 | 123 | -36% |
| Liquor Control Violations | 91 | 55 | 36 | -35% |
| Major Motor Vehicle Offenses | 1,967 | 1,453 | 1,530 | 5% |
| Disorderly Conduct | 963 | 1,020 | 1,025 | 0% |
| Interference w/ Police Officer | 171 | 194 | 177 | -9% |
| Intimidation | 12 | 4 | 7 | 75% |
| Kidnapping/Abduction* | 39 | 50 | 23 | -54% |
| Violation of Sex Offender Registry Laws | 17 | 3 | 10 | 233% |
| Other Criminal Offenses | 751 | 717 | 628 | -12% |
| Total | 6,980 | 6,370 | 6,230 | -2% |
Acting Police Chief Bob Redel will touch on these highlights during his presentation.
E. EXECUTIVE SESSION None.
F. ADJOURNMENT
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082020-1832
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