Prospect Heights police seeks peer jury members

The Prospect Heights Police Department is looking for people between the ages of 14-17 that are interested in assisting their community with youths in town that have committed a crime or have participated in a crime where the police officer is seeking an alternative punishment prior to putting them into the juvenile justice system.

The peer jury hears cases of youth offenders that have been involved in crimes that can include but are not limited to: battery, theft, disorderly conduct and vandalism. The jury collaborates and decides a punishment that it feels fits the case.

A civilian representative from OMNI Youth Services presides along with a sworn police juvenile officer. The officer and Omni Youth Worker act as advisers to the peer jurors. Offenders are expected to take responsibility for their actions and to return to the peer jury at assigned date.

Peer jury is a great way to also gain community service hours for college. It meets every second Tuesday of the month at 5:45 p.m. for approximately one hour at the Prospect Heights Police Department.

For further information, contact Detective William Caponigro at (847) 398-5511, ext. 151 or Community Relations Officer Stephanie Conboy at (847) 398-5511, ext. 133.