Village of Round Lake Beach Police Department Special Operations Unit

Gang crimes in the Chicago area is nothing new - in fact, we have grown accustomed to hearing about it on the news. When it hits our school, our streets, and our families, though, we pay attention. As of January 20, The Village of Round Lake Beach board authorized a special two-officer team whose full time job it is to understand, seek out and minimize the effect of criminal gang behavior. These two officers were selected by a peer-process. They have the experience, the skills, and the desire to both educate and enforce laws with their emphasis being on gangs. They have received training and have been outfitted with special equipment such as night-vision goggles and subdued tactical uniforms.

Here is the unique reason that the team exists: "The mission of the Police Special Operations Unit is to prevent, interdict and combat criminal gang activity in the Round Lake Beach area on every front possible with every tool lawfully available. It will fulfill this mission through the tactical integration of presence, deterrence, dissemination of intelligence, intervention, education, diversion, enforcement, prosecution and incarceration. It will attack gang crime with a zero tolerance attitude."

In the coming months, these officers, assisted by other members of the Department as well as officers from around the county, will be committed to a "zero tolerance" attitude towards criminal gang activity. What is "zero tolerance"?

Simple crimes such as painting a gang logo or slogan on a building or fence is a message to all of us that Round Lake Beach does not belong to us; that it belongs to the gangs. That message cannot be farther from the truth; the community DOES belong to all of us. When a simple crime a vandalism occurs that is tied to a gang action, we will prosecute on your behalf. When a more serious crime occurs such as drug sales or personal violence, either in school or on the streets, we will prosecute on your behalf. No one should live in fear of being the victim an outlaw.

Fighting criminal gang behavior is a complex issue. It involves more than arrests; it involves partnerships with all of the stakeholders. Alternatives to gang affiliation must be offered and the Police Department can be the doorway to that alternative. Many gang members come from gang families where the behavior is a way of life. To turn them from that attitude will involve our partner-stakeholders - the schools, the Park District, the Library, the churches, and the social services that are available in the area. It will involve you also. It may mean talking to your children, asking questions, listening to their stories. It may mean questioning your teenager's choice of friends, their habits, and their beliefs about the gangs.

If you see what you believe to be criminal gang behavior - don;t tolerate it - report it, even if it is anonymously by calling 847-546-2127 or on this website at http://rlbpolice.org/anonymous.htm. Without your support, without your interest in keeping our community safe and attractive, we are crippled. Simply put, we need your help.

Two police officers cannot reduce gang activity alone. The Police Department cannot do the job on its own. Together, however we all can make an investment and help each other by reporting, cleaning graffiti, and talking to our kids about the risks of gang behavior and membership. We've started the task - help us as we do our work.

"You can reach the SOU unit at (847) 546-2127. All calls are kept confidential".