Elgin police join forces with ICE to fight gangs

Elgin has a new means to root out gang members, but the city's police chief warns it's not a cure-all by any means.

The department has assigned a detective to be a member of the Public Safety/Gang Unit task force the operates under the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement office, or ICE.

“We're the first local agency to have an officer in the unit. It's another tool in our toolbox,” said Police Chief Jeff Swoboda. “

Their No. 1 charge is going after gang members.”

Swoboda also said the department also has an officer that works with ICE's Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, which investigates stolen social security numbers and fake cards.

The benefit of working with the Public Safety/Gang task force is that it gives Elgin a direct line to ICE when making a felony arrest.

Sometimes, arrestees wanted by ICE can post bond before ICE can further detain them.

If a gang member who is in the country illegally posts bond before ICE can place a hold, Elgin and ICE can go after them again.

“It doesn't apply to the overwhelming majority of gang members (who are from Elgin are in the United States legally).” Swoboda said. “We don't check people's immigration status on the street, but we do it whenever somebody is arrested.”

Councilman John Prigge, who campaigned in spring 2009 for the city to work more closely with federal officials to combat illegal immigration, applauded the department's move.

He credited Swoboda for reaching out to ICE officials soon after he was named police chief earlier this year.

“We have one of our local guys (on the task force) doing the same things we've had to wait in line for. It's like a shared office, that's my impression,” Prigge said. “I'm happy about it. I'm looking for big results. This will be a worthwhile endeavor.”