Police program for immigrants going strong in Round Lake Park

Round Lake Park police say much good has been accomplished in a seven-month-old program designed to provide assistance to immigrants who don't speak English.

Officers Tony Colon and Hector Lepe say they've helped primarily Spanish-speaking area residents on issues such as how to obtain an order of protection or noticing signs of drug use by a child since the effort launched at Mano a Mano Family Resource Center in Round Lake Park.

Colon and Lepe also say they've built much trust in the community in the past seven months, to the point where they've received tips about crimes that led to arrests.

"It's all confidential," Colon said. "It's not like we discuss their issues and concerns with somebody else."

Under the initiative that started in May, officers fluent in Spanish and other languages have been made available at Mano a Mano. The original plan called for the cops to be at the center every Monday, but Police Chief George Filenko said the effort has shifted to an appointment-only model.

"I think it's been successful," Filenko said.

Lepe said a recent visitor came to him after receiving a traffic ticket outside of Round Lake Park. He said the individual didn't speak English and wanted to know more about what had happened.

Colon said the officers have made it known that those who see them don't need to fear being reported to immigration authorities if they are in the U.S. illegally. Lepe said even legal immigrants who don't speak English often can be uncomfortable around police because of bad experiences from their home country.

"In Mexico," Colon said, "the police handle things differently there."

Word about the Round Lake Park police program has spread. The officers said they have had appointments from residents in Mundelein, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan and North Chicago.

On average, the officers received 10 in-person visits a month. Colon said he also receives follow-up phone calls.