Final plans are underway for the sixth annual gang awareness seminar in Maine Township to be held Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 6:15 to 9 p.m. at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the free program.
Because space is limited, reservations are requested and may be made by calling Oksana Bukaczyk at 847-297-2510 x271.
Hosted by Maine Township Trustee Laura Morask, this seminar is appropriate for parents, teens, seniors, law enforcement personnel, as well as anyone else who is concerned about gang issues in our community. New to the seminar this year, Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF) will present a “Stay Out of My Room!” exhibit. Those who attend the seminar are invited to tour the interactive exhibit, which will allow them to step inside a typical teenager's bedroom to find out what dangers may be overlooked in plain sight—potential indicators of drugs/alcohol/gang activity.
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"These seminars reflect Maine Township's ongoing efforts to serve our community," said Township Supervisor Carol A. Teschky. "We encourage residents to participate and to become active in supporting their neighborhoods by helping prevent gang problems. The solutions start with awareness and working with law enforcement authorities."
With 25 years of experience as a former gang crimes prosecutor with the Cook County State's Attorneys Office, Morask will be joined by a panel question and answer session featuring experts in the field of gang issues, including Kevin Hughes, Deputy Supervising State's Attorney for the Narcotics Division; Detective Greg Jacobson, Chicago Police Gang Mission Team expert; Dean Strolecki, Niles Police Chief; Frank Kaminski, Park Ridge Police Chief; Derrick Carey, Cook County Sheriff's Gang Crimes Commander; Tony Brzezniak, Cook County Sheriff's Deputy Area Commander; Donna Pellar, Maine Township High School District 207 Board Member; and Larry Bunyon, Maine Township Code Enforcement Officer.
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Special Keynote Speakers will be Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, and Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan
In addition to providing an in-depth look at gang identifiers specific to Maine Township such as signs, colors and names, the panel will also discuss the reasons that youths join gangs. They will also talk about what parents who suspect that their children are involved in gang activity need to know, how to get kids out of gangs, and strategies and phone numbers to help you stay safe.
Attendees will also receive a Gang Crimes Book compiled by Morask, with illustrations of gang colors, flags, symbols, graffiti, and helpful phone numbers of county, state and township offices as well as local police departments.
