North Chicago Police Department Focused on Summer Safety
At the July 6, 2026 City Council meeting, Chief of Police, Laz Perez shared with the City Council North Chicago’s Summer 2026 Patrol Plan. Some of the initiatives include: enhanced interagency collaboration, increased visibility and community trust through proactive engagement, maintain a roving unit dedicated to rapid response for violent crime calls, assign foot patrols in parks, lakefront areas, and high-foot-traffic zones, youth engagement operations, focused enforcement on major corridors and complaint areas, targeted DUI/seatbelt initiatives aligned with IDOT grant periods.
HERE IS THE COMPLETE PLAN:
North Chicago Police Department Summer Operational Plan
- Strategic Objectives
- Reduce violent crime, including shootings, and other violent crimes.
- Increase visibility and community trust through proactive engagement.
- Support safe public events.
- Enhance interagency collaboration (Waukegan PD, Lake County Sheriff, IL State Police, local schools, park district).
- Seasonal Crime and Activity Assessment
- Increased calls for disturbances, disorderly conduct, and loud parties.
- Higher youth presence in parks, apartments, and commercial areas.
- Spike in traffic-related incidents, DUIs, and pedestrian concerns.
- Increased community events and large gatherings.
- Hotspot activity in known areas (Prairie View, Brook Stone, 1119 Kitchen, 10th Street).
- Staffing and Deployment Plan
- Adjusted Patrol Deployment
- Use a high-visibility patrol model in hotspots during peak hours (Thu-Sun, 1600-0200).
- Maintain a roving unit dedicated to rapid response for violent crime calls.
- Assign foot patrols in parks, lakefront areas, and high-foot-traffic zones.
- Overtime and Flex Scheduling
- Implement summer gang suppression details to reinforce peak activity windows.
- Maintain an event roster for pre-planned coverage without impacting minimum staffing.
- SOU and Investigations Directed Patrol Unit or Street Crimes Team
- Proactive gun-crime interdiction warrant pickups.
- Nuisance/property crime suppression
- Community Engagement Operations Community trust work reduces violence and increases cooperation. Key summer initiatives could include:
- Pop-up roll calls in parks, apartment complexes, and commercial lots.
- Youth engagement operations (Ice cream socials for youth in high crime areas).
- Coffee with a Cop - Summer Series (Currently in conversations with Starbucks) Neighborhood walks with community partners.
- Traffic Safety Plan
- Focused enforcement on major corridors and complaint areas.
- Targeted DUI/seatbelt initiatives aligned with IDOT grant periods.
- Major Events and Incident Planning Prepared operational plans for:
- Fourth of July
- North Chicago Days / parades
- Juneteenth events
- Any high-risk gatherings or recurring problem events
- Crime Reduction Initiatives
- Gun violence suppression: focused deterrence contacts, intelligence-driven patrols, partnerships with federal task forces.
- Property crime: catalytic converter theft suppression, burglary checks, business checks.
- Problem-property enforcement with code enforcement and housing partners and the use of the nuisance abatement ordinance.
- Technology and Intelligence
- Weekly intel briefings using recent crime data, repeat offenders, and pattern analysis.
- Deploy mobile cameras or relocate existing units to hotspots.
- Real-time information sharing with neighboring agencies.
- Utilization of DFR once the program is implemented.
- Officer Wellness and Support Summer stress increases burnout risks.
- Encourage hydration, breaks, and rotation during heat advisories.
- Provide mental health or peer support access.
- Reinforce safety briefings, including heat-related illness protocols.
- Metrics and Evaluation: Track weekly:
- Violent crime numbers
- Arrests related to mission goals
- Hotspot calls-for-service
- Community engagement contacts
- Traffic enforcement outcomes
- Overtime use vs. effectiveness
- Monthly command review to adjust deployments.