Darien Crime Mailer Planned

DARIEN, IL — Darien Police Chief Greg Thomas said Monday he wanted to spread the message about the rash of burglaries in town. While the city uses social media and its weekly newsletter, Direct Connect, to inform the public about crimes, some residents don't go to those sources for information, he said.

At this week's City Council meeting, Thomas told aldermen that the city planned to target a third of the city's households with a direct mailing about burglaries. The effort would focus on north of 75th Street and east of Cass Avenue, where many of the break-ins have occurred. Other neighborhoods would be included as well, he said.

When Alderwoman Mary Sullivan asked why the city wouldn't cover the whole city, Thomas said it was a budget issue. A third would amount to about $1,500, while the entire city would cost $5,000, he said. But he said it was ultimately a council decision on how much money to spend.

Sullivan said she was "very adamant" the mailer go to all Darien households. "All of our wards have been impacted. Maybe not in the last couple weeks, but in the last 12 months," she said.

Alderman Joseph Kenny said while he wants to be conservative with tax dollars, he said the extra $3,500 for covering the entire city is worth the money. He said the village government has been "berated" for not providing enough information.

Aldermen Tom Chlystek and Tom Belczak agreed the city should send the mailer to everyone. No decision was made at the meeting.

Like other suburbs, Darien has seen an increase in residential and car burglaries in recent months.

Overall, according to the city, crime has been dropping in Darien. From 2009 to 2016, the number of reported crimes averaged about 370 annually. The number was 190 in 2019.