Neighborhood Watch Hits the 200 Milestone

Criminals may have to think twice before entering Skokie, as the number of residents participating in the police department's neighborhood watch program grew to 200 on Thursday.

The 5300 block of Galitz Street is the latest entry in the police department's growing program, officially becoming the 200th street to join.

"The entire Village Board joins me in expressing our appreciation to the residents who have established the neighborhood watch on their blocks," said Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen. "Statistics indicate that crime in Skokie has declined in the past several years, which is a testament, in part, to resident involvement in the neighborhood watch program."

Galitz Street resident Tom Dornback will be spearheading his block's watch as "captain." The overall goal of the program is to reduce crime by providing citizens with training, up-to-date information and a variety of tools to keep their blocks safe.

In an October poll, Skokie Patch asked residents if they think violent crime has "gone up, down or stayed the same in Skokie." More than 170 readers responded, with 90 percent stating they believe crime has gone up. The poll ran alongside an article about two armed robberies - which had similar methods of operation - in two days.

However, recent police data shows that crime in Skokie is actual down. Some of the highlights in the report said robberies are down 36 percent, as were burglaries, which are down 7 percent.

Crime as a whole is down 8 percent, according to the data. 

"I think it's a combination of things," said Police Chief Anthony Scarpelli in regards to the lower numbers this year. "I think we've put together a few new strategies that we rolled out in the past six or seven months; we're effective in reducing crime."

Interested in becoming the 201st block to join? Contact the Skokie Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit at 847/982-5919.