Sugar Grove sees increases in crime
Despite dramatic increases in domestic battery, police involvement with juveniles and illegal consumption of alcohol, Sugar Grove police say the trends are not alarming but rather indicate the growing pains of a rapidly increasing population.
Police Chief Brad Sauer this week provided statistics comparing numbers from January through August of 2007 with the same period in 2006.
According to the report:
• Domestic battery is up 70 percent from 10 cases in the 2006 period to 17 in 2007. Total battery is up 56 percent.
• Illegal consumption or possession of alcohol rose from 19 arrests in 2006 to 54 in 2007 for a 184 percent increase.
• Juvenile matters, which include police intervention in behavior of children 16 and younger that does not result in arrest, had a 350 percent increase. This is a broad category that includes calls from residents with complaints about unruly behavior in public, or an officer questioning a juvenile regarding curfew.
• Domestic disputes (when police are called because of arguments between couples or families but no battery is involved) rose from 35 to 63 for an 80 percent increase.
"These numbers are not atypical," Sauer said. "They are consistent with towns of the same size."
According to village officials, the population estimate for 2006 is 8,500. A special census for 2007 is under way, and the projection is 9,500.
While Sauer said there is no cause for alarm, he indicated concern regarding domestic violence and problems with juveniles, particularly underage drinking.
"Underage drinking has been and is an increasing problem," Sauer wrote in his report to the village board.
Police say that breaking up parties can involve from 5 to 50 juveniles being charged with underage drinking, depending on the size of the crowd or how many run before police reach the house.
"We went to stay on top of domestic violence," Sauer added. "It's hard to say why there is an increase. There can be a lot of pressure in everyday life, like economic problems, that sometimes end up in violence."
Sauer said police always make referrals for counseling regarding juvenile and domestic problems and call families shortly after a dispute to make sure they have the information needed to seek help.
In another category, burglaries from motor vehicles, or items stolen from parked vehicles, rose from 10 to 20.
"These are crimes of opportunity when change or CDs get stolen," Sauer said. "People think because they live in Sugar Grove they don't have to lock their cars.
"We also think these numbers are up in some categories because people are getting more involved and calling us, which we encourage."
Crime up in Sugar Grove
These statistics compare offenses recorded by the Sugar Grove Police Department for the period Jan. 1 to Aug. 31.
Offense 2006 2007 % change
Animal complaints 25 28 +12%
Battery 6 8 +33%
Burglary from motor vehicle 10 20 +100%
Criminal damage/trespass to property 46 63 +37%
Deception* 17 30 +76%
Domestic battery 10 17 +70%
Domestic disputes 35 63 +80%
DUI 22 32 +45%
Illegal consumption/possession alcohol 19 54 +184%
Juvenile matters** 6 27 +350%
Overnight parking 286 154 -46%
Patrol services*** 181 186 +3%
Theft 33 35 +6%
Traffic violations 2,241 2,143 -4%
Truck enforcement 98 170 +73%
*Includes identity theft.
** Contact by officers with children 16 and younger that does not result in arrest. Could be call from resident complaining of behavior on a playground, concern by officer on child making curfew.
*** Includes building checks, lockouts and requests for extra patrol.
Source: Sugar Grove Police Department