Elgin’s 2023 crime stats show decades-long decline continues
Violent crime and gunfire incidents were down in Elgin in 2023 as part of what the city’s police department says is a more than 50-year downward crime trend.
The department released its annual crime report Thursday, which shows Elgin recorded its third-lowest number of annual crimes since 1972.
While serious crimes were up slightly over 2022, to 4,254 from 4,180, the total was down from pre-pandemic levels of 2019, which saw 4,469.
Serious “Group A” crimes include murder, aggravated assault, arson, burglary, motor vehicle theft, robbery, sex offenses, and drug violations.
Violent crime, including aggravated assault, rape, robbery and murder, was down 15% from 2022, crime analyst Ryan Drake said, while robberies were at a 10-year low and burglaries were at their second lowest number in a decade.
The city saw five murders in 2023, up from three in 2022. Two of the cases remain open and under investigation.
Elgin saw a decrease in gunfire incidents, with 52 reported shots fired, down from 58 in 2022 and 66 in 2021.
The department reports all gunfire incidents where evidence is found, regardless of whether or not a person or property was struck.
Police Chief Ana Lalley said she understands reporting all the incidents, which many communities do not do, can lead to people making judgments and perceptions about the city that may be unfair.
“It’s our responsibility to give the actual data in a way people can easily access it,” she said. “The purpose is so people know what’s actually going on. I always say one incident is too many. There’s no tolerance for it.”
Lalley said the department is in the process of having an officer assigned to a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) task force in early 2024.
“We work with ATF throughout the year, but having a dedicated officer helps with resources and investigations, so we’re looking forward to that,” Lalley said. “A year from now, we’ll see what our shots fired are because if they’re going to spend more time here in Elgin dedicating resources, it’s a force multiplier.”
Of the 52 gunfire incidents, 17 people were struck by gunfire in 14 shooting incidents. More than half of the gunfire incidents were gang-related or suspected to be related to gang activity.
Sixteen of the 52 cases have been closed by arrest, warrant or declined prosecution, and 107 firearms were seized.
Group B offenses, or less serious crimes which are often officer-initiated activities like traffic stops, were up to 1,916 from 1,650 in 2022.
Drake said a large percentage of the offenses are suspended or revoked driver’s license or driving without a license.
The traffic unit handled 3,624 crashes last year, with 473 involving visible injury or death.
After a record 107 drug overdoses in 2020 during the pandemic, Elgin continues to see them decline, with 49 reported last year, though the percentage of fatal overdoses was up. Roughly 75% of overdoses in Elgin were due to exposure to fentanyl.
The police department recently worked with longtime partner the Kenneth Young Center to install a Narcan vending machine department in their lobby. The emergency anti-opioid medication is free.
Lalley attributed the continuing downward trend in crime to the department’s staff.
“I want to make sure that the officers know that their hard work, professionalism and dedication throughout the year is why we have these results,” Lalley said. “We also thank the community for being engaged and being partners with us as we continue to strive to be better.”