Elgin police need residents to help fight crime

Police can arrest all the gang members possible, but the key to stopping them for good is more information from residents, Elgin's police chief told a group of Gifford Park residents Tuesday night.

"I know that sounds very simplistic, but that is the best thing that you can do is to be aware, be eyes and ears and talk to the appropriate people," said Elgin Police Chief Lisa Womack. "The police department does suppression the best. The community does prevention and intervention best."

The hastily organized meeting - which was attended by Womack, Deputy Chief Robert Beeter and the area's overnight officer - was attended by about 20 residents and elected officials.

The one-hour question-and-answer session with Womack came a day after police arrested an 18-year-old Elgin man and charged him with attempted murder following a drive-by shooting at 3:30 p.m. Friday on the 100 block of Gifford Street.

A 21-year-old Elgin man was shot in the foot and later released from the hospital.

Womack said since then, the department's gang unit and other officers have worked to create a greater presence to deter any retaliation or escalation.

She said detectives were still investigating the shooting and declined further comment. Womack emphasized that every area of the city has a beat officer on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Fran Cella, a Gifford Park Association board member who called the meeting, agreed that people need to report more suspicious activity to police, especially if they can do it anonymously or by e-mail.

"Everyday citizens need to get more involved," she said.