Big Hike In Elmhurst Retail Thefts: City

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst police are seeing a large increase in retail thefts, so the city plans to post more cameras near stores.

In 2023, 143 retail thefts were reported to local police, up from 87 in 2022, according to a city memo. That's a 64 percent hike.

The city has received a $60,000 state grant that will pay for six cameras, eight license plate reader cameras and the renewal of contracts for eight license plate reader cameras near businesses, the city said.

The new cameras are expected to be posted at York Street and Butterfield Road, York and Industrial Drive, St. Charles Road and West Avenue, Robert Palmer Drive and Schiller Street, Robert Palmer and York, North Avenue west of York, and York and Vallette Street.

"The utilization of current License Plate Reader cameras have been successful in identifying active retail theft groups who enter Elmhurst retail corridors as well as solving retail crimes occurring at local stores," the memo said.

On Monday, the City Council is slated to vote on a contract for the cameras.

The money came from the Illinois Attorney General's Office.