The Neighborhood Watch program utilizes citizen involvement in the detection and prevention of crime.  Residents work together to keep their neighborhood safe.  The group can help educate other residents and make their neighborhoods safer by reporting suspicious and criminal activity.  

Purpose

One of the main purposes of the neighborhood watch group is to know your neighbors.  The Neighborhood Watch groups get to know their neighbors by holding meetings, hosting block parties and keeping in touch through a Virtual Neighborhood Watch site.  Nextdoor is a great option for residents who would prefer a Virtual Neighborhood Watch.

Police officers can attend meetings to educate residents about crime prevention, personal safety, among other relevant topics.  

After reporting suspicious activity or a crime to the police department, residents are encouraged utilize a phone tree or virtual neighborhood watch site to disseminate information to other group members.

Nextdoor

In 2019, the DeKalb Police will begin to utilize Nextdoor, a free social networking platform used for communication among people who live in close proximity to each other. The mission of Nextdoor is to provide families and public agencies with tools to enhance their communities and make them safer through a virtual neighborhood watch. 

Police Department staff uses Nextdoor to update residents on issues such as weather watches and warnings, crimes, or other emergencies. Nextdoor will not be monitored 24/7, so residents are reminded to report in-progress incidents by calling 9-1-1. To sign up for Nextdoor, go to nextdoor.com and register with the use of an e-mail address and password. Your information can also easily be linked to an existing Facebook account, which accelerates the process. You will be asked to provide your home address, as well as your full name. This is to ensure that what you share on Nextdoor is only visible to those who live nearby. Once you gain access to your neighborhood’s site, search “DeKalb Police Department” and explore posts on the page.  

Definition

A street gang is an organized group that participates in criminal, threatening or intimidating activity within the community. A gang is made up of three or more individuals who have a name, a leadership and may have identifying signs, colors, clothing, tattoos, jewelry, or hand signals. The gang often claims a geographic territory. Usually, gangs participate in some kind of illegal activity, whether it be violent crime or drug dealing or both.

Identifying Gangs

Most gang members are proud of their gang and freely admit their membership. Many display tattoos openly and dress in a style identifying their particularly gang. Their personal belongings are often covered with graffiti and have the gang's logo and their gang name. Some are reluctant to identify themselves as gang members. They often say their friends are gang members they but are not. 

Gangs are common characteristics such as wearing distinct clothing, jewelry or using hand signs or signs. Some gangs are starting to change their clothing by no longer wearing colors in an effort to deceive law enforcement. Gang are also identified by their graffiti, hairstyles, and certain undergarments.

Youth Participation

Kids join gangs to fill their basic needs which is usually not being met at home and/or at school. These are:

• Belonging
• Control
• Family
• Identity
• Money
• Protection
• Recognition
• Respect
• Support

Many gang members come from poor and/or broken homes, and they get the support and structure they need from gang lift. Gang kids usually have a low self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Membership in a gang makes them feel important and recognized within their peer group. Gangs become their family and it is a bond that is hard to break. 

Signals of Gang Involvement

Early warning signs include:

• Change of friends
• Decline in school grades
• Experimental drug use
• Having large sums of money or new expensive items which cannot be explained
• Keeping late hours
• Poor family bonding
• Rebellious behavior at school and home
• Truancy
• Unwillingness to attend family gatherings or share regular meal

More telltale signs of gang involvement are:

• Contact with law enforcement and/or probation officers
• Disclosure of gang membership
• Excessive swearing or cursing
• Gang graffiti in their bedroom on items such as books, posters and bedroom walls
• Having photos showing gang names, gang slogans, gang insignia or gang activities
• May carry hidden weapons
• Using hand signals to communicate with friends, other gang members
• Wearing gang colors or gang clothing

The DeKalb Police Department continues its Outreach Program to the community doing presentations for any group that requests further information on street gangs, drugs, and related topics. You may call the DeKalb Police Department at 815-748-8400.

Prosecuting a defendant can include several steps. The Illinois Bill of Rights allows victims and witnesses to obtain information at each step. Certain rights must be provided automatically.

• Be notified when the State begins prosecuting your attacker.
• Be told – in advance – when you must appear in court.
• Be notified – in advance – of the date, time, and place the defendant will plead guilty or when a sentencing hearing is scheduled.
• Be told of an upcoming hearing for the offender.
• Be told when the offender is granted parole.
• Be notified if the offender escapes from prison and if the prisoner is later recaptured.
• Be given information about the social services and financial help available to victims and how to get that assistance.
• Have a State’s Attorney or victim advocate talk to your employer so you don’t lose pay because you had to appear in court.
• Have property that was used as evidence returned to you promptly.
• Be spoken to in a language you understand.
• Have a safe waiting area when you come to court.

Crime Victims Compensation

If you have been a victim of a violent crime, you may be eligible to apply for financial compensation if:

• You have been injured as a result of a crime of violence
• You are a survivor of a victim of a violent crime and are dependent upon the victim for support
• You are a relative of the victim and you incurred reasonable funeral and/or medical expenses
• You are a parent of a child who witnessed a violent crime committed against a relative
• You are an Illinois resident who became a victim of a violent crime in another state or country that does not have a compensation fund for crime victims

If you meet one of the above mentioned criteria, you will be required to:

• You must report the crime to the authorities within 72 hours and cooperate fully with the officers.

If death occurred, you must not have contributed to his or her death by engaging in wrongful conduct or provocation.

Apply for Assistance

To apply for assistance, you should contact:

Illinois Attorney General

Crime Victims Compensation Program

100 W. Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 312-814-2581

Phone: 800-228-3368

TTY: 800-964-3013

Illinois Attorney General Website 

The intention of this page is to create awareness, not to prohibit parties. Be aware of your responsibilities as a party host and/or a party participant.

I. Noise Control Regulations Municipal Code, Dekalb, Illinois, Chapter 52

• A. Day hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) noise level should equal no more than 60 decibels. (60db is equivalent to sounds of a business office).
• B. Night hours (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) noise level should equal no more than 55decibels. The decibel measurements are taken on the property line of the complainant.
• C. The use of a stationary electronic sound reinforcement and/or sound reproduction system, utilizing loud speakers, such that the sound radiates out-of-door shall be prohibited during the following hours:
  • 1. 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
  • 2. On Friday and Saturday evening the prohibition of such a sound system becomes effective at midnight.

Generally, the police department will give a warning to noise ordinance violators, unless the violation is of extraordinary circumstance, unless the violation is being repeated, or unless the complainant insists upon immediate action.

II. State law requires that a person MUST be 21 years of age to drink alcohol beverages.

III. Any person who urinates outside on public or private property is in violation of Municipal Code, Chapter 52, Section 52.85.

IV. Throwing trash on public property is in violation of Municipal Code, Chapter 43, Section 43.02.

V. Any person who carries an open container of alcoholic beverage on any street, alley, or other way publicly maintained is in violation of Municipal Code, Chapter 38.13-2.

VI. Any person who sells any alcoholic beverage (EX: charging for a cup, admission, or beer at a "party") without having a liquor license is in violation of Municipal Code, Chapter 38.02.

VII. Unlawful use of driver's license (EX: attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages using an altered driver's license or through the use of a driver's license not your own may result in the suspension of your driving privileges).

Helpful Tips

• Tell your neighbors you are planning to have a party.
• Keep your guests' cars from blocking driveways and off lawns.
• Clean the litter from your neighbors' yards as well as your own.