Health & Fitness
Target Triple Threat--Mike Nerheim's Plan To Eradicate Gangs, Guns and Drugs in Lake County
Gangs, guns and drugs pose a triple threat to the safety and welfare of our community. As State's Attorney I will work with law enforcement to eradicate this growing problem in Lake County.
Gangs, guns and drugs pose a triple threat to the safety and welfare of our community. As State's Attorney I will work with law enforcement to eradicate this growing problem in Lake County.
The safety of our families and our quality of life is threatened by an alarming rise in gang activity and law enforcement needs a strong State's Attorney who will work hand in hand to get rid of gangs.
While the Chicago Crime Commission estimates there are 3,500 active gang members in Lake County, estimates that I have heard from local law enforcement officials I have been meeting with during the campaign, put the number at closer to 8,000 to 10,000 active gang members in Lake County. Gangs are on the move, and constantly relocating and our county has become their turf.
Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A member of the Lake County Gang Task Force shared with me that most of the gang violence they see is deadly crime. "When we're called in, it's for a homicide or crime of a heinous nature," he said during one of my recent fact-finding meetings. "Primarily, homicides are gang related and are extremely violent, involve guns and narcotics trafficking. So you have gangs, guns and drugs. The combination of all three leads to deaths in our community."
As State's Attorney, I will have a gang prosecution unit that would bring focus to getting rid of gangs, guns and drugs in our community. This new unit would specialize in gang cases, enabling a bigger picture view, and would work alongside the Lake County Gang Task Force to help with training for law enforcement, which is especially important because of the new Illinois Street Gang RICO statutes.
Find out what's happening in Deerfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As State's Attorney, I will be there to back law enforcement and together we will act swiftly to take aim at gangs, gang violence and drugs in our county, and ensure that Lake County remains a safe and wonderful place to live, work and raise our families.
--Mike Nerheim
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