The Partner | June 2022
A Message from Sheriff John D. Idleburg
“I know the people of Lake County mourn with the people of Uvalde, Texas, and the nation. While the facts of the response of local first-responders continue to be released, and while we are not jumping to conclusions, we want the community to know that during an active threat, our deputies are trained to immediately respond to the threat and take whatever actions are necessary to protect life. Our deputies have the full authority to move immediately into the scene and utilize their training to do what is necessary. They train frequently, have the tools necessary to enter buildings in order to protect life, and understand their tremendous responsibility.
Additionally, we offer best practice and mitigation training to all of our schools and businesses in Lake County who wish to be trained. This is something we don’t take lightly and we have an entire unit dedicated to this.
We’ve been receiving many questions about how we would respond to an active shooter situation in light of the facts which continue being released in Texas, and I felt the need to address the community directly.
Please continue keeping Uvalde in your thoughts and prayers.
We’re here for you, Lake County.”
Scammers Targeting Lake County Residents Pretending to Be Local Government Officials
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and 19th Judicial Circuit have become aware of a scam targeting Lake County residents.
This scam involves con artists calling Lake County residents and introducing themselves as a member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The scammers utilize an actual name of a Sheriff’s Office employee. The scammer then informs the victim that they missed a jury summons and an arrest warrant, a citation, or citations, have been issued to the victim. The scammer then attempts to instruct the victim how to purchase a “voucher” in order to avoid arrest.
Neither the Sheriff’s Office nor the 19th Judicial Circuit will ever call a resident to request money. Lake County Government will not ask for or accept payment in the form of gift cards, ‘Green Dot’ cards, Venmo, or cryptocurrency.
Most of the times the scammers are operating out of other states or countries. The best course of action is to hang up and if utilizing a cellphone, block the caller’s telephone number from being able to contact you again. You may also file a report with your local law-enforcement agency. If you are ever doubtful of a government official contacting you by phone, you may always hang up and call back utilizing the known telephone number for the government office which contacted you.
Remember, if you did not initiate the telephone conversation:
Do Not provide any personal information.
Do Not tell anyone when you leave your residence.
Document the number calling along with any information about the call.
Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency as soon as possible.
K9 Dax
Last weekend, K9 Dax and Deputy Forlenza assisted a municipal police department in central Lake County with a burglary in progress at a school. The local PD arrived and found numerous windows shattered and other property damaged. Multiple offenders fled on foot upon the arrival of the local PD. K9 Dax tracked their scent for approximately 1.5 miles, to a home. Three offenders were located at that home and additional offenders were located by sheriff’s deputies and the local PD. All of those apprehended were turned over to the local police department!!
Earlier this month Dax was called to search for individuals who fled from a stolen car, after crashing in central-Lake County. Six juveniles were located and taken into custody by local police agencies, with the assistance of K9 Dax.
Dax has been on a roll! Check out his feature with NBC Chicago by clicking here!
CJCC Quarterly Meeting
Special Olympics of Illinois Torch Run
This past weekend, sheriff’s staff ran portions of two legs of the Special Olympics Illinois Torch Run! One leg started in Antioch and ended in Wauconda. The other started in Winthrop Harbor and ended in Evanston.
Approximately 3,000 officers representing every branch of law-enforcement across Illinois will carry the ‘Flame of Hope’ nearly 1,500 miles, running through thousands of Illinois communities via 23 different legs to its final destination – the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics on June 17th, 2022. To learn more about the Special Olympics, visit soill.org.
Violence Interrupters Coming to Lake County with Gun Violence Prevention Initiative
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart has announced a major initiative aimed at helping reduce street violence before it happens. Violence Interrupters have worked in other areas and now they are coming to Lake County as part of our Gun Violence Prevention Initiative. This program - which has broad support from the County Board, Mayors, and local law enforcement - will make Lake County safer by helping stop senseless gun violence before it starts. Click the link above to check out the WGN Chicago segment about this exciting initiative!
You can help inform and engage the community about this work by forwarding this newsletter to three friends and encouraging them to sign up here.
The Safety and Justice Challenge strategies at Lake County, IL are proudly led and supported by:
Lake County Sheriff's Office
Lake County State's Attorney Office
19th Judicial Circuit Court
Lake County Public Defender's Office
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services
This project was created with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the Safety and Justice Challenge, which seeks to reduce over-incarceration by changing the way America thinks about and uses jails.