Meet Our Neighborhood Watch Group!

Windmere Cove Neighborhood Watch Refresher Training

Provided by the Elgin Police Department

Monday, May 23rd @ 7 pm

On the lawn in front of 302 Nautical Way

Agenda:

• Officer Schmidt will be presenting topics not covered at the Orientation Meeting
• You will be given a Neighborhood Watch Sticker for your window/door
• Introduction to our Beat Officer
• Discussion about the effectiveness of communication via email or this blog
• Discussion about possible involvement in the National Night Out, August 2nd 2011
• Questions you may have  

Please bring your own lawn chair & will be held inside if raining!

Refreshments will be provided

Please RSVP to windmerewatch@gmail.com ASAP

May 2011 Block Captain Meeting

Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin (DNA) Upcoming Special Events
www.downtownelgin.org
Speaker: Tonya Hudson, Executive Director

The DNA has identified five key areas of concern that are currently impacting the perception and development of downtown, and have a program for 2011 to address these issues:

1. Supporting existing and new businesses

• 'Downtown Block-by-Block' program (neighborhood watch)
• Grant money for businesses, community groups or organizations to make a positive, unique and innovative impact on downtown
• DNA scholarships for DNA-member business owners and their employees to attend workshops and conferences
• Support businesses during the first year of operation with workshops and a downloadable business start-up guide

2. Quantity and appearance of vacant storefronts

• 'For Lease or Sale in Downtown Elgin', a marketing assistance program to attract new businesses, encourage investment in downtown and address appearance issues
• 'Elgin Pop-Up Poetry Project' to celebrate Elgin's rich history and local writing talent by displaying poetry contest winner's work in downtown kiosks, storefront windows and other public facilities starting in June 2011

3. Lack of marketing and special events

• Due to financial cutbacks the DNA is utilizing social media to promote existing businesses, teaming up with partner organizations, such as the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and distributing downtown directory brochures to select Elgin households, in the Daily Herald & new Elgin companies
• Encourage businesses that wish to host more 'street fair' type of events
• New street banners on Douglas, Spring, N. Grove, Highland and Chicago
• Downtown Harvest Market is moving to the former Gail Borden Library parking lot (Kimball & N. Grove)

4. Parking inconsistencies and misconceptions

• Downtown parking committee formed due to large amount of complaints from downtown business owners and customers (eg. inconsistencies in parking limits and lack of accurate and adequate signage contributing to a general 'unwelcome' feeling)

5. Creating a downtown identity based on unique assets

• 'Downtown Brainstorm Workshop' in August 2011 to create a wish list for new downtown businesses that will increase downtown awareness and set Elgin apart from the competition

2011 Construction Projects for Elgin
http://www.cityofelgin.org/
Speaker: Dan Ault - City Managers Office & City Works

Types of Road Maintence Projects

• Resurfacing - Three and a half inches of the surface is removed & replaced.  Done every 10 - 12 years, in theory.
• Rehabilitation - Water main, gutter, curb, sidewalk, surface & sometimes sewer is replaced.
• Reconstruction - 'Starting over' by removing everything including old bricks from the 1800's.  The road is surfaced with concrete which lasts longer but is difficult to repair.  Done every 40 - 50 years but often 100 years.  Road is closed for the entire season (February to October or November).   
• Sewer separation - Elgin currently has a combined sewer but the federal government is mandating that they be separated.  Therefore, new storm sewers must be built, water mains adjusted and new surface applied.  Long-term goal is to start downtown and move to the neighborhoods over 30 - 40 years.
• Streetscape improvement (downtown) - The goal is to reinvent which requires multiple years and is very expensive.
• In-house paving - Patch-up jobs until major work can be done.
• Development improvements - eg. Sherman Hospital & new Walmart

Funding

• General Fund (as needed)
• Riverboat - for neighborhood resurfacing
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) - borrowed against property tax revenues and can only be used for infrastructure or blighted areas (eg. Bluff City area).  In twenty-five years, if the money isn't used, it goes back into the taxing body.
• Motor Fuel Tax
• Council of Mayors - Federal grants that fund at least 80% of select projects are distributed to the state and then to the city.  For example 95% of the Big Timber resurfacing project was funded this way.
• Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Construction Plans For 2011

Many of the resurfacing projects in Elgin are complete.  The plan for 2011 is to take a 'year off' compared to the number of projects underway in 2010.  Here is a list of projects planned for 2011:

• Eagle Heights North (new water main), Raymond Street area, North & Porter area and Seneca Street will be rehabilitated
• West River Road & Maroon Drive with two unnamed alternates (funded by the Motor Fuel Tax)
• Lord's Street Project combined sewer separation
• Central Business District/Downtown - Finish crosswalks from phase IV and that's it!
• North McLean Blvd, north of Big Timber (funded by the Recovery and Reinvestment Act)
• Bowes Road & Randall Road to be complete by September or November (new Walmart)
• I-90 resurfacing
• Route 20 (funded by I-Dot)

National Police Week
Elgin Police Department

151 Douglas Avenue

May 15 - 21, 2011

The Elgin Police Department will be hosting the Annual Police Officer Memorial Service, Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 2:30 pm.  The service is held annually to honor officers who have been killed in the line of duty locally and across the country.  The Formal Wreath Ceremony will take place at 2:30 pm.  Members of the Elgin Police Honor Guard will lower the flags, conduct a 21 gun salute and conclude the service, including the playing of Taps.  The general public is invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served in the lobby of the police department.  In addition, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association will be debuting a new historical display and there will be information tables in the lobby.  Tours of the department will be available upon request.

25th Annual Special Olympics Illinois Law Enforcement Torch Run

Sunday, June 5, 2011

The Elgin Police Department is hosting the Torch Run and invite your support and/or participation.  For more information call the Elgin Police Department Community Relations Department at 847-289-2530.

The 28th Annual National Night Out

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

The National Night Out is a great opportunity to build neighborhood unity & strengthen police - community partnerships.  It is also a chance to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.  Help create safer neighborhoods by getting to know your neighbors and celebrate community efforts to fight crime.  Let's hold a Block Party!

Please RSVP ASAP to Erin or Laura at windmerewatch@gmail.com!!  Let us know how many children will be coming. 

If we register our Block Party with the Elgin PD, prior to Friday, June 24th, 2011, our Block Party will be visited by the City (police officer, the fire department, a city dignitary, and if possible, a costumed mascot).  We will guage the level of interest prior to committing to this event.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Neighborhood Watch Tips

Here are some tips, from the Elgin Police Department, to keep in mind as a Neighborhood Watch Member:

• Keep your front and back lights on during dark hours.  Criminals don't like to be seen.
• Get to know your neighbors on either side and across the street.  Get-togethers are encouraged!
• Watch out for your neighbors.  Get to know your neighbor's routine and have them know yours.  Let them know when you'll be out of town.  Don't leave notes indicating that you aren't home or when you'll return.  Inform the police of any suspicious activity immediately.
• Have salesmen, repairmen, etc. show proper identification.
• Don't hide spare keys 'where no one would ever look'.
• Inform Public Works if street lights are out @ 847-697-3160.
• Report any and all graffiti to the Graffiti Hotline @ 847-931-5599.
• Engrave your household inventory.  You can borrow an engraver for one week from the Elgin Police Department Community Relations/Crime Prevention Division.  In case of a burglary, this has been successful in returning merchandise to it's lawful owner.
• Consider an alarm system.
• Never enter your house if you see evidence of a burglary.
• We are not vigilantes!  Call the police.  If you do meet a burglar, let him go.  Better to lose money or property than your life!

Also, due to recent vehicle burglaries, the Elgin Police Department is encouraging residents to: 

• Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
• Lock your vehicle, close the windows & don't leave the keys in it.
• Avoid leaving valuables inside your vehicle.  If you do, keep them out of sight (under your seat, in a locked glove box or in the trunk).  Items to be aware of are GPS and mount/cord, I-Pass, garage door opener, CDs, iPod, laptop, purse, wallet, loose change, backpack, cell phone & mail.
• Park your car in the garage.  If you are unable to, park in your driveway rather than on the street when possible.
• Set any alarm or anti-theft device that your vehicle is equipped with.
• Call the police if you see adults or kids wandering the neighborhood, loitering around a vehicle, looking into cars, or trying vehicle door handles.
• Keep a record of the serial numbers on valuable items that you keep in your vehicle, in case something is stolen.  Mark your valuables with your Driver's License or some identifying information so they can be returned to you if they are recovered.
• File a police report if your car is burglarized.  Even if nothing or just change was taken.