Police: Crime Rate Down in 2011

Romeoville’s crime rates dropped in 2011 compared to 2010, according to Chief Mark Turvey. Overall, crime was down 2 percent last year, while property crimes were down 6 percent.

For the whole of 2011, 796 crimes were reported in Romeoville, Turvey said, compared with 814 in 2010.

“In December, unfortunately, we had a little spike in property crimes,” he noted. “When you’re dealing with small numbers, it only takes a few crimes to make a big percentage difference.”

Violent crimes, which include charges like rape and assault, were also down slightly, with 29 reported incidents in 2011, compared with 32 a year earlier.

During his Jan. 11 address, Mayor John Noak touted new police initiatives including a .

In June, the department launched the community-oriented policing initiative, consisting of a sergeant and four patrol officers. After completing a 40-hour bicycle patrol training course, the officers hit the streets, where their new mode of transportation gave them the mobility to patrol parks, neighborhoods and bike paths. The bike patrol was also on duty during outdoor events like RomeoFest and last summer’s Rockin’ the Ville concert series.

Noak credited Turvey, who was officially named to his position in April 2011, with bringing successful community policing initiatives to the village.

“This year, the police department took on the added responsibility of dispatching for our fire department,” Noak added, saying the shift has made emergency dispatch more efficient and helped improved response times.

Dispatchers at the ’s headquarters in the village began handling both police and fire calls in February 2011, Turvey said.

“I think it’s worked out well,” he said, lauding staffers including Telecommunications Director Kim Knutsen for their hard work during the transition. “It definitely was a big adjustment,” Turvey said, adding, “I think it helps provide better service to the community.”

Turvey said it’s impossible to pinpoint any one factor or initiative behind the decrease.

“I think there’s always a lot of factors that affect crime rates that you have to keep in mind,” including economic conditions and demographic factors like the average age of residents, he said. “Younger” communities tend to have higher rates of crime, while towns with an aging population tend to see a decrease, he noted.

“I do think things like the bike patrol and our CompStat [crime statistics] program and our D.A.R.E. program, they certainly can contribute to our effectiveness,” Turvey said. “There are so many different factors that make us a good department and a good community.”