Hoffman residents laud creation of Neighborhood Watch

Setting up a Neighborhood Watch program is time-consuming, but highly recommended said Hoffman Estates resident Mary Beth Hackel.

"Do it. You can only have positive outcomes," she said.

Hackel is one of about 75 people who live near Victoria Park and last week filled a room at the Hoffman Estates police station to get more information on the program.

Over the years, the park has been a popular destination for teen drinkers and smokers. When she walks her dog at the park near Bode Road and Braintree Drive, Hackel said she finds empty cans of cheap beer, drug paraphernalia and even a used condom or two.

"This is supposed to be a family-friendly park," she said.

Village Trustee Anna Newell also lives in the area and after an increase in what Hackel called "negative incidents," Newell suggested residents band together and form a Neighborhood Watch. Hackel has spent the last months going door-to-door to spread awareness to her neighbors. Last week, they gathered for the watch's first meeting.

Besides adding signs around the neighborhood featuring the familiar shadowy figure, the program traditionally encourages residents to call police and look out for suspicious activity and after one another.

Hoffman Estates park board President Craig Bernacki lived in the area and wasn't surprised by frustrated residents.

"The complaints haven't changed in the last 17 years," said Bernacki, who attended last week's meeting as a park board liaison.

He said the district will help by installing more lighting, which he hopes will discourage teens from hanging out. There isn't a timetable yet for when the lights will be in.

Police Chief Clinton Herdegen said the village has 12 to 15 active Neighborhood Watch communities. He said police gets called to Victoria Park for reports of teen drinking, smoking and coyotes.

He encourages residents to start their own programs and hopes to see them "maintain momentum and stay active throughout the years."

Police routinely patrol the park more often in spring and summer.

Anyone who wants to start a Neighborhood Watch program in Hoffman Estates can call Officer Tony Caceres at (847) 882-1818. Most other suburban police forces will also help residents set up a watch program.

Though only in its infancy, Hackel said the group has already brought together neighbors of many ethnic backgrounds.