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DeKalb County, Illinois |
Minutes of the
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DRAFT LAW AND JUSTICE COMMITTEE MINUTES June 20, 2011
The Law and Justice Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, June 20, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. in the DeKalb County Legislative Center’s Gathertorium. Chairman Marlene Allen called the meeting to order. Committee members present were Riley Oncken, Anita Turner, Derek Tyson, and Steve Reid. Mr. Ken Andersen was absent. Others present were Court Services Director Margi Gilmour, Officer Keith Ehrke from the City of DeKalb Gang Unit, Chief Deputy Gary Dumdie and State’s Attorney Clay Campbell. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTESMoved by Ms. Turner, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from May 2011.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDAMoved by Mr. Andersen, seconded by Mr. Oncken, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented.
GANG UNIT PRESENTATION – OFFICE ERHKEMr. Oncken introduced Officer Keith Ehrke with the City of DeKalb Gang Unit. Officer Ehrke explained that there are more than 1,000,000 gang members nationwide. Gangs are responsible for 80% of crime in the United States. The DeKalb Gang Unit has identified 513 gang members and associates in the City of DeKalb. They have identified members from 54 gangs who currently reside in DeKalb now. Ninety-three percent (93%) of gang members in DeKalb are adults. Ninety-five percent (95%) of gang members in DeKalb are male. He said that they have some gang members as old as 60 something years old.
Officer Ehrke explained that in 2010 they started explaining to kids the consequences of joining gangs. They found out that as they spoke with these kids are begin recruited between 9 and 10 years old. They told the officers that the reasons they joined the gangs were because they weren’t treated nicely by kids at school, they didn’t have any friends, and their parents were never home because they were working. They told the officers that the gangs treated them nicely. Kids are also recruited by social networking sites. He said that the Gang Unit has spoken with kids to explain the consequences of joining a gang and then if they try to leave the gang.
Officer Ehrke 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. They are also seeing more of an increase in motorcycle gangs.
Mr. Oncken asked what motorcycle gangs are we seeing here?
Officer said they are seeing the Outlaws, the Brothers, which is an advocate of the Outlaws, and Devil’s Advocate.
Officer Ehrke said that most crimes in DeKalb County are committed between Tuesday and Friday nights, between the hours of 11:00p.m. to 2:00p.m.
they had identified at least $100,000.00/month in drug sales for one gang alone. Gangs are big business. They also are promoting prostitution in our county too. So far in 2011, they are seeing an increase in heroin, prostitution and guns. They have seen a decrease in graffiti and juvenile gang members, which is a good thing.
policies toward prevention, including intervention in schools, in children’s homes, through the probation department, YSB, school counselors, the court system, the GREAT Program and others. Chief Deputy Gary Dumdie of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department said that 15% to 20% of inmates in the County Jail are gang members. The Latin Kings are the highest population in the jail, and then Ambrose, and down the line. They have 15 inmates in the jail now that are gang members, of which 7 of them are from out of town.
The committee thanked Officer Ehrke for his educational and enlightening presentation. PUBLIC DEFENDER’S REPORT – Regina HarrisMs. Harris was not present. COURT SERVICES – Margi GilmourMs. Gilmour submitted her monthly reports. She said that her adult report is pretty standard. They had 4 detentions last month with one for the 1st time, 1 for the 2nd time, 1 for the 5th time and 1 for the 6th time for admissions.
Ms. Gilmour also informed the committee that the Safe House parents are resigning at the end of the month. She is still wondering what their next step will be. She said that they may have one applicant, but that is it. They will have to see what happens with this search.
One of her Intense Probation Officers has resigned so that position is posted now. They have also had 3 more staff members trained in S.T.E.P. JAIL REPORT – CHIEF DEPUTY GARY DUMDIEDeputy Dumdie briefly reminded the committee that the RFP’s (request for proposals) are out now through the Jail Plan Committee. The average population in May 2011 was 146 inmates. The total days that people were on EHM were at 416. He said they are seeing the transport mileage numbers going up, as well as, the numbers for transporting people to the Department of Corrections. ADJOURNMENTMoved by Mr. Oncken, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting. Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________ Marlene Allen, Chairman MA:mcs
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