Elgin on alert

Elgin police say they have been stepping up patrols in light of the city's recent surge of gang-related violence.

But police Chief Lisa Womack said it's also up to neighbors to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

"We have things occurring here in Elgin that are absolutely unacceptable," Womack said. "You need to look for those things that are out of character for your neighborhood."

Womack spoke Monday with nearly 40 residents -- a night after a seventh shooting in two months injured three on the city's east side.

"This is the first increase (in gang violence) we've had in over five years," she said. "There is no one explanation. We have no patience for this type of activity here in Elgin."

Residents asked Womack about the steps the city has taken in light of the recent shootings -- such as cracking down on even minor offenses like spitting and jaywalking, and increasing police patrols in gang "hot spots."

"We've had to increase even more the visibility of the officers in the neighborhood," Womack said. "We are targeting certain zones of the city. (But) we cannot forget we can have this type of random occurrence anywhere."

Residents also discussed the responsibility of those in the neighborhoods to make sure the city is safe.

"I think we have to be in partnership with our police department," said Jim Vaughn, president of the Summit Park Neighborhood Association. "We've worked too hard to lose it now."

Vaughn helped organize a peace walk earlier this month, with residents from around the city gathering to protest the increase in gang-related violence.

The message to the gang members was simple.

"You may not see me," Vaughn said. "But I know who you are and I see you."