Large Turnout for Safe DuPage Event in Lisle

Safe DuPage hosted a community discussion on crime and public safety this morning at Benedictine University before approximately 50 Lisle residents. The discussion was moderated by Naperville City Councilman, and DuPage County Board candidate, Kevin Coyne. Panelists included DuPage County States Attorney Bob Berlin, State Representative Grant Wehrli, DuPage Circuit Court Judge Jim McCluskey, Lisle Mayor Chris Pecak, and Lisle Village Trustee Marie Hasse.

Berlin reviewed a number of statistics and pointed out that, though DuPage County is still a safe county, many crime stats have increased in recent years. Many of the panelists pointed out that much of the crime that we see in DuPage County are committed by offenders that do not reside in DuPage County.

Rep. Wehrli pointed out that he recently filed a bill that increases penalties for repeat criminal offenders. Judge McCluskey discussed what he is seeing in his courtroom relative to criminal forfeitures and bonds. Mayor Pecak and Trustee Hasse discussed how Lisle dealt with the recreational marijuana issue put before many Illinois communities last year.

Topics covered included current crime trends, recreational marijuana, cashless bonds, repeat criminal offenders, and other community concerns. The engaged crowd raised a number of questions and concerns about crime, one resident in attendance noting that his house had recently been broken into and robbed.

In closing, Coyne remarked that "the spike in crime in this area to begin the year is alarming and needs attention. We all need to continue to work together to keep DuPage County safe".

Safe DuPage plans to hold another event in April and will announce details on that event soon. Safe DuPage maintains an active Facebook page at "Safe DuPage" and information can be found at their website www.safedupage.org.