Huntley police stepping up patrols in response to survey
As a result of a recent survey in which Huntley residents were asked to rate their police department, police will increase neighborhood foot, bike and vehicle patrols, as well as conduct a DUI awareness program.
The number one priority among survey takers was police response to general crime, while a focus on drunken driving ranked second, Deputy Police Chief Todd Fulton said.
With respect to drunken driving, the department intends to conduct a DUI awareness program with bar owners.
In other results, 40 percent of respondents were concerned about being the victim of a serious crime, while 58 percent were worried about becoming victims of a lesser crime.
More than half of the 805 responses came from the Sun City community, which has seen burglaries and a domestic-related homicide in the past year.
“You could see how those numbers could be skewed based on the year they had out there,” Fulton said.
On the upside, serious crimes are down 12 percent from last year and overall crime is down 14 percent from 2011.
As well, 92 percent of respondents feel safe walking around their neighborhoods at night, and the police department received a 93 percent approval rating.
“It’s unheard of to have a 93-percent approval rating but I think we can always do a little bit better,” Fulton said.
The survey is conducted every three years.