Hinsdale Magazine | Law Enforcement Continued from the previous page a mistake, and deserves a second chance. Another effort is our Public Integrity Unit where we investigate and prosecute police who break the law. People appreciate the fairness of such programs.”
Speaking of residents, we asked what role can they play?
that by and large, the DuPage County people do that, and that's one of the reasons we’ve been so fortunate to have a great team in place.”
We asked, What other areas of concern are there for law and order in DuPage County? Mr. Berlin responded, “Drug and opioid addiction. Drugs and opioids are a serious problem in DuPage County, just like they are, around the country. Drugs are not only a serious health problem, but they invariably lead to more crime as people, young and old, use illegal means to get money to satisfy their drug habits. One ‘front endpreventive’ program we have is called F.O.C.U.S., which stands for First Offender Call United for Success, for first-time drug offenders. This has been
for after-school programs and highquality pre-schools. There is plenty of evidence that after-school hours are a prime time for juvenile crime, and quality after-school programs have been proven to reduce juvenile crime. I work with village governments and police departments around the county to help implement ‘Fight Crime Invest in Kids’”.
We asked about the morale and
“For the police to be effective, they performance of the men and need the support of the community. women in law enforcement in People have to believe in and trust their DuPage County these days. police. Otherwise, the police can’t solve the crime. We need witnesses to come Mr. Berlin’s comment: “We have forward, we need cooperation, people outstanding people in our police to offer up their Ring doorbell camera departments; some of the best in the videos, things like that. That takes a lot state. They are well trained. Most of of work and a lot of effort. Obviously, them are well equipped with body the county has changed as has our cameras which protect the person being society. The demographics investigated and the police, have changed, and chiefs as well, because there is a Violent crimes have a huge impact on of police have a diversity record of the interaction outreach committee, of the entire community. It's not just the victims between police and suspects. which I am a part of. And Police see how my office themselves who are victimized; the whole we make it a point to go and judges enforce the law. to different parts of the community is victimized when something like They have the trust of the communities and meet with this happens, especially at a shopping center community. As a result, different groups to assure overall, their morale is great. them that we’re here to like Oakbrook Center. The message is that we (Some police departments protect them, that we follow don't tolerate it in this county, and there will be are actually having a hard the law, and we want their time recruiting new officers. cooperation and we want a prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. A number of departments; them to know that they’re however, have hired -ROBERT B. BERLIN going to be treated the same DuPage County State's Attorney officers who have decided as anybody else and, that is to leave the Chicago Police an ongoing effort, I think a nationally recognized program that Department.) For all those reasons, I we have made tremendous strides, provides non-violent first offenders believe we have the ‘best of the best’”. and we still have a lot more work to the necessary treatment, counseling, do with that, but, by doing that, that's Mr. Berlin summed everything we education, and support to help them on why I believe we have such a great track talked about this way. “As was said at their road to recovery. Since it started record. When a crime, like a case in the outset, there are a lot of moving parts in 2019, the F.O.C.U.S. courtroom now Oak Brook, happens, we have people has more than 1,100 individuals getting that go into maintaining law and order who are calling the police, people who treatment for addiction to opioids and in DuPage County. It is a constant effort are emailing the police, people who, if of communication and cooperation, other illegal drugs.” they have stuff on videos, share those following the law, putting criminals with the police. Of course, we also “Another area of concern is dealing on notice that crime, especially violent encourage residents to be vigilant about with young people who may be going crime, will not be tolerated, assuring their surroundings and people around down wrong paths as they are growing that our police, prosecution, judiciary them; and to keep vehicles and homes up. We have two other ‘front-end- are all doing their jobs. It also takes securely locked.” preventive’ programs. One is called residents who are alert and aware and the ‘School Safety Task Force’, where willing to help. We want strong cases “Here’s another message. The police and school authorities work to that lead to fair convictions, and no community needs to pay attention identify young people who may be at cases coming back on appeal. Above when they go to vote, who they’re risk, so they can be helped. I am also on all, we want our residents to feel safe voting for. Take the time to research the executive board of the organization and be safe.” ■ who the candidates are so that you’re ‘Fight Crime Invest in Kids’. I support voting for the best person. I think this because they advocate for funding
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