September/October Neighborhood Watch Newsletter & September 2011 Block Captain Meeting

Hi Neighbors!

I trust you're enjoying the cooler fall-type weather and Back to School activities are going well for those with children & teens.  I'm writing to pass along the latest Neighborhood Watch Newsletter.  Click on the link and select the September/October 2011 newsletter.  It covers topics such as:

• Rules for door to door solicitors & advice for residents
• The 'Txtng & Drivng... It Can Wait' AT&T campaign that the Elgin Police Department is endorsing which highlights a moving 90 second video: It Can Wait
• Halloween Safety Tips
• Sex Offender Compliance Squad
• And some photos from Elgin's National Night Out participants

Block Captain Meeting
September 6, 2011
Speaker: Lt. Glenn Theriault
Topic: Adjudication Process

The Adjudication Process may sound rather boring but the speaker did present some interesting information regarding stiff fines that you may want to be aware of.

Basically, there are three different ways to prosecute cases:

1. Federal Level
2. State Level - County & City
3. Municipal Level or Adjudication Process

The Federal & State levels try criminal cases and require 99.9% proof of guilt.  The Adjudication Process tries civil cases and requires only 51% proof of guilt.  For example, a parking ticket is the only evidence of guilt that is required.  The Adjudication Process improves the overall efficiency of the judical system by not bogging the State Level down with parking tickets, for example.  In the past, tickets were $75 and the money was split 50/50 between the Elgin Police Department & Kane County.  It was increased to $125 by the State but the Police Department got less and Kane County received more.  They were getting a mere $7/ticket which didn't cover their expenses.  Two years ago the Adjudication Process was introduced and the Elgin Police Department now receives the entire fine.  The five violations that now come with an immediate $500 fine, at the moment of offence, are as follows:

1. Driving without a license (not in your possession or suspended)
2. Driving without ever owning a drivers license
3. Allowing someone to drive your vehicle without a license
4. Driving with loud music
5. DUI

  Basically, 'user fees' were instituted for those who utilize the services the Elgin Police Department provides, as a deterrant.  If a fine isn't paid it will go to collections and if it continues to be unpaid eventually it will be attached to an individual's home.  Offenders won't be able to sell their home until the fine has been paid.  In one situation, a buyer paid the outstanding tickets on a home they had purchased.

Additional topics that were discussed:

•  You can contact The Elgin Police Department Code Enforcement to report a Nuisance Code Violation Monday - Friday @ 847-931-5921, Saturday & Sunday @ 847-354-3509 or online.  Examples of violations are an uncut lawn, loud music from a vehicle (difficult to catch unless car is parked), a dog that bites & isn't on a leash ($2000 - 3000 fine plus a fence, leash & muzzle, obedience training, $1,000,000 insurance policy on home, etc.))
• Road-side safety checks are very regulated.  They need to advertise in advance and may video tape interactions to ensure the public's rights are not being violated.  They also choose random vehicles (six or ten at a time).  The actual safety check should only take less than 2 minutes.
• A new emergency siren system will be installed west of Randall Road (currently non-existent) and existing, old sirens will eventually be replaced with the new sirens.

Thanks for reading & have a great remainder of the week!