Police handling gang issues in Round Lake Park, candidates say

Candidates running for village board seats in Round Lake Park acknowledge there is a gang issue but say police are doing a good job.

Eight candidates are running in two slates for four seats on the board, including three, 4-year terms and one, 2-year term. Incumbent Scott Murar, who was appointed to the board in November, is seeking the 2-year term. He is joined by newcomers Cheryl Thomey, a payroll disability specialist, and James Moore, a retired chemist, and Arlene R. Rogalski, a retired bookkeeper as the Focus party.

Incumbent Patricia Williams is joined by Robert Seminary, who previously served nine years on the board, and Jerry Chirinos, a team leader at Whole Foods, in seeking 4-year seats with Rosa Patino, a restaurant owner running for the 2-year seat as the Your Voice, Your Choice party.

Candidates tended to agree that increasing youth activities could help with gang issues. Responses are from candidate questionnaires, election materials and interviews.

Keeping the police department fully staffed is one of the platforms of the Focus party. The department has 13 sworn officers and a 14th in training, which represents a full staff, according to Chief George Filenko.

Public safety is a priority for Murar, a lieutenant with the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District. He said police presence helps curb gang activity, and added that crime statistics in the village have decreased annually. He said he has "personally seen a big improvement" in gang activity, and that the police department is efficient.

Patino did not attend a candidate interview session but later said a gang problem in town appears to be more visible in warmer months but exists year round. She said she thinks police are doing their best to combat the gang issues.

"However, to avoid an increment in the number of gang members we need to provide the youth of the community with affordable activities, so they are not on the streets," she said.

Thomey said gang problems are a widespread issue, not only in Round Lake Park. She said youths could benefit from a positive direction.

"If we had some place where they could go, where there were no drugs or gangs," she said. "We would have to find some type of resource to make that happen," she added.

Chirinos described gang activity in town as "not ridiculous" adding gang members can reform.

"We need a community center," he said. "What works is mentoring." If there is nowhere for kids to go "someone is going to find a spot for them," he added. He also suggested the police station be open longer hours and there be a greater police presence in the neighborhoods.

Seminary, longtime owner of Allied Central Security, said he feels public safety in town is "covered" and the police and fire chiefs are top notch. He acknowledged there was a gang issue.

"I don't think it's as bad as some of our surrounding communities," he said. "They (Round Lake Park police) are on top of things."

Rogalski, who said she ran unsuccessfully for village president in 1973, and Moore, who moved to the area in 2013, live in the private, age-restricted Saddlebrook community.

Moore said he wasn't sure if there was a gang problem and would need to talk with Filenko.

"You get activities going for the youth and keep them off the street. It would help a lot," he said. Whether there is a need to add police officers is something he'd have to study, he said.

Rogalski described gangs as a concern throughout the area and said the police department was a priority.

Williams, who has served on the board for five years, did not attend a candidate session but said police and fire coverage were sufficient. She noted law enforcement as a source of savings when asked where, if anywhere, the current village budget could be trimmed.