Drug seizures up, rewards down for Crime Stoppers
Lake County Crime Stoppers accomplished something last year that many private businesses could not.
The positive side of the Crime Stoppers ledger was up, while the negative was down.
Tips to the hotline resulted in the seizure of $2.13 million in drugs, a huge increase over the $861,000 worth of drugs taken off the street in 2006.
At the same time, cash rewards paid to tipsters amounted to $35,650 in 2007, down from the $43,550 paid out the year before.
Cases closed and arrests made also decreased last year from the levels in 2006.
Police closed 551 cases and made 231 arrests in 2007, down from 558 cases closed and 293 arrests in 2006.
The group also announced that a county-wide gun buyback program will be held in December of this year, after an off year in 2007.
The program allows people to voluntarily surrender unwanted weapons in exchange for cash or gift certificates.
Details of the program are still being worked out and will be announced later in the year.
Conference for girls:ŒThe 19th Judicial Circuit is helping to sponsor the annual Girl Wise Conference, scheduled for April 12 at the College of Lake County.
The conference will offer junior high and high school girls an opportunity to attend workshops that promote creativity, healthy bodies and minds, relationships, Internet safety and substance abuse awareness.
Representatives of the Juvenile Probation Department, Omni Youth Services, Counseling Connections, the Girl Scouts and other agencies are also participating in the conference.
The 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. conference is free and lunch will be provided.
To register, go to the 19th Circuit's Web site at www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us or call (847) 377-7800.
Institute scholarships: Sheriff Mark Curran is sponsoring scholarships to the annual Illinois Teenage Institute on Substance Abuse, scheduled for July 13-18 at Monmouth College.
The institute is a substance abuse prevention program that counsels young people to make the right choices concerning alcohol and drugs.
Any high school student in the 2008-2009 school year under 18 is eligible as long as they are willing to serve as a youth leader in their school or community after the conference.
The 60 scholarships available cover tuition, lodging, workshop materials, recreation, meals and a T-shirt. Transportation to the Monmouth campus in Monmouth is not included.
More information and an application can be obtained at www.os-iti.org or by calling the sheriff's office at (847) 377-4050.
Heard in the hallway: Waukegan attorney Jason Mercure will be opening his own practice April 1 in the former law offices of Robert Will at 33 N. County St. in Waukegan. Mercure will be specializing in criminal defense work.