Lake County sees homicides fall to nearly 30-year low

Despite the bad economy, the number of homicides in Lake County came close to a 30-year low in 2009.

Ten people were murdered in 2009, down from 12 the year before. The number puts 2009 second only to the year 2000 for the fewest homicides since 1980, according to information compiled by the county coroner's and state's attorney's offices. In 2000, nine people were murdered in Lake County.

Officials say aggressive police work and stepped up public outreach programs are what's making the difference.

"We have seen spikes in other types of crimes that we attribute to the economy, robberies and burglaries primarily," Sheriff Mark Curran said. "The fact that murders are down I believe is a reflection of law enforcement really making things hard for the worst of the worst."

The downward trend from year to year, seen more often than not over the last three decades, is in contrast to the population explosion the county has seen over the same time period.

In 1980, the county's population was around 440,000, while last year it was estimated to be 715,000.

In the 1980s, an average of 19 homicides per year were recorded, compared to 17.6 per year in the 1990s and 13.5 a year in the last decade.

"While other jurisdictions are seeing homicide rates declining over the years, I am not sure that many of them have had the corresponding population growth Lake County has seen," State's Attorney Michael Waller said. "I think that is a result of aggressive enforcement programs and wide-reaching public education efforts."

Nine males and one female made up the homicide victims in 2009. The youngest was 16-month-old Benjamin Kingman of Deerfield while the oldest was Frieda Stein, 72, of Highland Park.

Hispanics were the most often murdered ethnic group with four of the victim total. Gunshots killed eight of the victims.

Homicides were spread fairly evenly among the days of the week in 2009, while the deadliest hours of the day were between midnight and 6 a.m., when five of the murders occurred.

A grim milestone was reached June 24, when Emmanuel Johnson of North Chicago became the 500th murder victim in the county since 1980 when he was shot down on the street.

Curran said one factor in the decline in homicides was that law enforcement "had gone to war on gangs."

"Our office conducted 15 warrant sweeps this year, all in partnership with municipal departments, and we are getting the people who don't belong on the streets off them," Curran said. "At the same time, we have joined with U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk's office with our 'Top 10 Most Wanted' program and are bringing a wealth of federal resources into the battle."

Mundelein Police Chief Raymond Rose, whose community suffered one of the gang-related homicides May 9 when 12-year-old Jorge Juarez died after his house was firebombed, said the positive trends should not lead to overconfidence.

"Gang violence is cyclical, and just because we have gotten in front of them for the time being does not mean we should believe we will stay in front of them," he said. "We cannot allow ourselves to get complacent, because once we do, we are sure to see an upswing."

Along with the crackdown on gangs, Waller said he believed the county's aggressive approach to combating domestic violence that has developed over the years is bearing fruit.

He said increased training for police officers, prosecutors and victim counselors aimed at identifying domestic violence and cutting it off are essential to keeping homicides in check.

In addition, he said outreach programs in schools about the dangers of dating violence and abusive environments are prompting discussions of subjects long held private.

"We want to connect the message that all forms of violence are unacceptable with children as early as we can," Waller said. "The earlier you intervene the better chance of success you have, and in this case, success means ending it and preventing future violence."

County Coroner Richard Keller said he was unable to point to a single factor responsible for the decline in homicides, but could see that progress was being made.

"It really seems to be a result of the overall effort that is being made," Keller said. "I am not sure that we are becoming a less violent society, although I would hope that we are, or are just becoming more skilled in identifying potentials and working to counteract them."