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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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LAW AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE MINUTES September 20, 2010
The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, September 20, 2010 @ 6:30p.m. in the Gathertorium of the DeKalb County Legislative Center. Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Members present included: Riley Oncken, Anita Turner, and Derek Tyson. Michael Stuckert was absent. A quorum was present. Others present were: Sheriff Roger Scott, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen, Lieutenant Klein, Steve Reid, Margi Gilmour, DeKalb Police Officer Mott, and Sara Gallagher Chami.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Moved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from August 2010.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Moved by Mr. Tyson, seconded by Ms. Turner, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda
DEKALB GANG UNIT PRESENTATION
Mr. Oncken introduced Chief Feithen, who thanked Board and Sheriff Scott for his collaboration and who then introduced Officer Paul Mott of DeKalb Police Department Gang Unit.
Officer Mott explained that the term “gang” was defined by law at 740 ILCS. He explained that there are more than 1,000,000 gang members nationwide, from more than 24,500 gangs nationwide. There are more than 75 gangs in Chicago alone. The DeKalb Gang Unit has identified 464 gang members and associates in the City of DeKalb. They have identified people from 52 gangs and members from 42 gangs reside in DeKalb now.
Officer Mott explained that kids are starting gang affiliation in the 6th grade in DeKalb and sometimes younger. He explained that gangs are generally divided into two Nations – the Folk Nation and the People Nation. Other gangs such as bikers, MS13, white supremacists, sureno 13 and some others stay to themselves and usually are independent. He explained that, while they may fall under one of two umbrella nations, each gang is individual, but they identify with a larger group when they are in jail or prison.
Officer Mott also explained that there are also “hybrid gangs” in DeKalb – They are small groups starting their own gangs. They usually break up or are swallowed up by major gangs. The major gangs in DeKalb are: Latin Kings, Black Gangster Disciples, Ambrose, Insane Deuces, Vice Lords, 26 Nation, and Sureno 13. He explained that graffiti is part of gang identification and territory marking. Graffiti is down substantially now in DeKalb, compared to years past.
He also discussed the policies toward prevention, including intervention in schools, in children’s homes, through the probation department, YSB, school counselors, the court system and others.
Mrs. Allen asked how members get out of gangs once they are in. Officer Mott answered that they can be “jumped out,” or they can be allowed to leave if they find religion, but the best and most effective way out is to move from the area and get away from the gang.
Mrs. Tobias asked how much money is involved in the gangs in DeKalb Officer Mott said it was hard to determine, but that they had identified at least $100,000.00/month in drug sales for one gang alone. Gangs are big business.
Mr. Oncken asked what the primary enterprises were for the gangs. Officer Mott answered that gangs were diversifying, but that drugs were big, as well as theft and internet based prostitution (backpage.com). He explained that the larger gangs are becoming more organized and are buying homes and businesses in order to launder money.
Chief Feithen proudly explained that, year to date through August 2010, serious crime was down 12.1 percent in the City, but he was quick to add that serious problems still exist and that the City is constantly working to address problems as they arise and try to prevent new problems.
Mr. Oncken asked whether the gang problem was growing or stable Officer Mott and Chief Feithen agreed that the problem was getting worse - both gangs and drug problems, and added that police budget cut-backs are hurting them when they are trying to battle these problems. Chief Feithen stated that he could easily have 6 officers in the gang unit, rather than the current two, and that they would be plenty busy.
Chief Feithen explained that University Village is the second largest HUD housing facility in state of Illinois now and that many of the problems they are seeing are associated with University Village residents or visitors to those living in University Village.
Officer Mott proudly stated that he had been told that several gang members were moving out of DeKalb to Sycamore and other surrounding areas, where they can get away from him and the DeKalb Gang Task Force. He explained that much of gang association is family based. DeKalb has a family with a 5th generation of gang members in it now. The family is full of Latin Kings members.
Mrs. Tuner asked who the worst gang in DeKalb is now Officer Mott stated that it was hard to tell, but that the largest gang was the Gangster Disciples and the second largest was the Latin Kings
The committee thanked Chief Feithen and Officer Mott for their educational and enlightening presentation. PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT
Ms. Regina Harris, the DeKalb County Public Defender, said that her office’s numbers are a little higher than last year, and that juvenile numbers are up. She stated that the statistics are somewhat deceptive, because many juveniles don't have a next court date, although they are technically open cases. She also stated that the felony numbers are up.
Mr. Tyson asked if the juvenile rise is due to gang activity Ms. Harris explained that gang activity accounted for some of it, but some of it is just very ineffective parents reaping what they have sewn, a cycle of troubled parents raising troubled children. Some are also “throwaway kids.”
COURT SERVICES REPORTS – MS. MARGI GILMOUR
Ms. Gilmour, Director of the DeKalb County Court Services Department, reported that one child was removed from residential placement due to additional problems. That removal would result in budget savings. She reported that there were currently 2 kids in the MST program and that the program was going well. She also indicated that they had one young man at the safehouse presently and that he was doing well. She also discussed the new Thinking for Change - T for C (Steps program). She reported that the groups were going well now, but since there were no incentives for participants, participation was less than she would like to see. She also indicated that there were a record number of CRS hours ordered in August. 10,143 hours were ordered in August.
JAIL REPORT – SHERIFF ROGER SCOTT
Sheriff Scott reported that the jail is still full. They had an average daily population of 136 inmates for August. Currently, the County is spending more than $70,000.00 per month for rental space from other counties. He estimated that approximately 20-30 inmates of the jail population on a given day are gang members.
ADJOURNMENT Moved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Ms. Turner, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________ Marlene Allen, Chairman MA:rno
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