Aurora police chipping away crime stats

There were 4,980 major crimes reported in Aurora last year - and that's the good news.

It might seem like a lot compared to other parts of Kane County but, in Aurora, numbers haven't been this low since 1978, when 4,843 major crimes were reported.

Police Chief Greg Thomas attributes the 31-year low to the "hard work of all Aurora police employees," who've seen double-digit decreases in five of the eight "Part One Index Crimes" categories, including murder, rape and aggravated assault.

"Every single officer and support employee show their passion for protecting the city and its residents each time they report for work," Thomas said in a news release. "The statistics are proof that they're fulfilling this mission."

According to police, reported major crime dropped 3.24 percent, with violent crime down nearly 4 percent and property crimes down 3.13 percent, since 2008. More specifically, sexual assaults dropped by about 15 percent, robberies by 10 percent, shootings by 15.5 percent, and burglaries by a little more than 14 percent.

Homicides were up, however, with five reported in 2009 compared to two the year before, and thefts increased by 1.74 percent. Still, overall, major crime has dropped nearly 30 percent in the last 20 years for Aurora.

Mayor Tom Weisner says it's no accident.

"When you have a police department that is second to none, citizens that are actively involved in what goes on in their neighborhoods, and outside agencies willing to assist in any way they can, good things are going to happen," he said.

Free police alerts: People who live and work in North Aurora can now get real-time information about police emergencies sent to their e-mail accounts and cell phones.

The police department recently signed up for Nixle, a Web service that facilitates dispatches about community events and "neighborhood-level" public safety issues, including missing persons, hazardous materials situations and road closures, via e-mail or text.

Police Chief Thomas Fetzer is encouraging the public to take advantage of the service, which is free to both the police department and subscribers, though regular text messaging rates apply. Alerts also are posted on the Web.

"We hope we never have to worry about this, but in the event of an emergency the North Aurora Police Department wishes to quickly notify the public so that they can take appropriate measures and protect themselves," he said in a news release.

To subscribe, visit Nixle.com.

Scholarship money: The Kane County Sheriff's Department is accepting applications for a $500 college scholarship from the Illinois Sheriffs' Association.

Local applicants must live in Kane County and be enrolled at a certified institute of higher learning in Illinois for the 2010-11 school year, excluding the summer semester.

The scholarship is among more than $53,000 to be awarded across the state by the sheriffs' association. People who live outside of Kane County but are otherwise eligible can apply by filing an application at their county sheriff's department.

Applications must be postmarked by April 12. They're available online at ilsheriff.org or, for Kane County residents, by calling (630) 208-2003.