Decline in Crime Highlights Police Department Annual Report

The number of calls for service for the St. Charles Police Department is the lowest it’s been in 10 years. That statistic and many others were highlighted in the department’s 2011 Annual Report. The report showed that police responded to 16,168 calls for service in 2011, a 7 percent decline from 2010 and 16 percent lower than 2008.

When calls for service are divided by quadrant of the community (using Main Street and the Fox River), the following results were obtained:

• Northeast quadrant – 13.5 percent decline
• Southeast quadrant – 8 percent decline
• Northwest quadrant – 5.5 percent decline
• Southwest quadrant – 4 percent decline

The report shows a continued downward trend in crime throughout the city. This includes the more serious Part 1 crimes as well as Part 2 crimes. Part 1 crimes have decreased by 24 percent since 2007. Part 2 crimes have decreased by 15 percent over that same period.

Motor vehicle accidents on public roadways have also declined in St. Charles. Statistics show that the number of accidents in 2011 totaled 997, a 24 percent reduction from 2007. However, the city still has certain areas that are prone to more accidents. The top 3 crash areas are:

• South Randall Road between Oak and IL Route 38
• East Main Street from 7th Avenue to Dunham Road
• West Main Street/IL Route 31

The red-light camera device at West Main Street and Route 31 has contributed to fewer accidents at this intersection; however, the sheer volume of traffic and the configuration of the intersection make more significant improvement difficult. The construction of the Red Gate Bridge should reduce traffic at this intersection in the future.

The reconstruction and widening of East Main Street will improve this section of roadway. The addition of a center turn-lane should help tremendously.

The annual report also provides highlights of some of the other services provided by the Police Department, including the Kane County SWAT Team, K-9 Unit, and Crime Prevention Unit. The Community Restitution Program is also included. This program uses the labor of those ordered to perform court-ordered community service to complete many tasks including daily collection of refuse in the downtown area, pick-up of trash along public roadways, graffiti removal, and mowing/weeding of foreclosed and abandoned properties. In 2011, this program provided services valued at over $125,000!

For additional information, or to view the entire 2011 report, please click here.

In 2011, the St. Charles Police Department was recognized by the Commission on Law Enforcement Accreditation (CALEA) with the “Accreditation with Excellence” award, which is presented to law enforcement agencies that display excellence in public safety professionalism. That recognition, and the results documented in the 2011 annual report, demonstrates the positive impact that the St. Charles Police Department has on the quality of life here in our community.