Mokena Addresses Increase Of Car Burglaries

MOKENA, IL — Dozens of concerned residents attended the Jan. 27 board meeting to hear the village address the increase of car burglaries and stolen cars in Mokena.

"Many of these crimes are situational crimes," Ken Grey, Chief Deputy Will County State's Attorney, said at the meeting. "The first line of defense for all of us ... is to harden the targets."

Grey said being situationally aware when you're out at night or early in the morning and locking cars or garages are ways to be the first line of defense.

"It's a scary thing when this is happening, and we count on our police to help us," Grey said. "But we have to help them, we have to be partners with them as well."

One resident asked about stiffer penalties for people who commit car burglaries and property crimes.

"We are very aggressive, State's Attorney Glasgow has always taken a very strong position on crimes," Grey said. "We are very strong in court on that."

Mayor Frank Fleischer thanked residents for coming to the meeting and voicing their concerns.

"It's important for us to see how many people really give a damn."

Fleischer said the car burglaries and car thefts have been going on for the past 18 months and have been happening as far north as Lake County, as far south as Kankakee County, and as far west as Grundy County.

"Unfortunately, the village of Mokena has been a target of those random, but continuing incidents," Fleischer said.

Fleischer said the village has been coordinating with neighboring communities, the Will County Sheriff's office, and the Will County State's Attorney's Office.

"These are crimes of opportunity, and the village will continue its prevention efforts by keeping this issue a major priority for the Mokena Police Department," Fleischer said.

Fleischer asked residents to not engage with the offenders, but call police to report an incident.

"The village continues to consider and implement new methods to prevent these types of incidents," Fleischer said.

Fleischer said Mokena has taken steps to address the situation, including: placing additional police personnel on the midnight shift, putting saturation patrols into place, notifying residents with open garage doors, and regularly monitoring traffic at the entrances to the village.

"We request your continued assistance in helping us to combat these crimes by locking your vehicles," Fleischer said. Residents are encouraged to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.