Carpentersville panel not looking for 'snitches'

Members of the Carpentersville Improvement Committee say gaining the trust of residents is one major hurdle facing the group in its infancy.

"There is a stigma that we are going to have to work on," said committee Chairman Patricia Schultz. "It is not going to happen overnight."

Trust issues stem from residents who are afraid of reporting potential code violations against neighbors for fear of retaliation.

"We have to communicate to people that there is not going to be retaliation," said community development Director Cindy McCammack.

Members said the goal of the group is not "snitching," but to focus on education and assistance.

The group's mission statement spotlights assisting "residents with an understanding of the importance of property maintenance as it pertains to the general welfare, safety and aesthetics of our community as a whole."

In addition, the objective of the committee is to preserve "quality existing housing through code enforcement activities and preventive maintenance programming."

In executing both the mission statement and objectives, the committee agreed:

• To be educated on available resources for the public.

• To be resource advocates, including helping find resources for residents, helping residents fill out forms and taking residents where needed to file forms.

• To educate people on ordinances.

• To listen to grievances and have residents attend Carpentersville Improvement Committee meetings to express grievances.

• To develop relevant information packets for new residents.

• To be a liaison to the community.