The Elgin Police Department will be hosting a “Walk and Talk” event in the Mulberry Lane neighborhood on Saturday, June 11 from 11 -2 p.m. The event will kickoff at Cornerstone Park on the corner of Mulberry and Lilac Lanes and refreshments for area residents will be provided by the Elgin Community Network.
“The Elgin Police Department walks different Elgin neighborhoods and talks with the residents to hear and learn about their issues and concerns,” said Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda. “We’re reaching out to learn what the Elgin Police Department can do to help improve areas while also providing crime prevention information or other information that will be helpful to a neighborhood.”
Swoboda anticipates taking a number of officers into Elgin neighborhoods with the highest volume of police calls. The Mulberry Lane neighborhood encompasses a five-block area where police respond to a high number of police calls.
“The initiative is part of our community policing philosophy,” said Swoboda. “We want to know and understand the issues facing our neighborhoods and become part of a solution.”
While crime in Elgin is at a near 40-year low, Swoboda believes that EPD should remain proactive in crime prevention.
“Getting to know residents and hearing their neighborhood concerns will enable us to develop programs and plans to ensure neighborhoods stay safe,” said Swoboda. “And residents will also know that we’re here for them.”
Swoboda expects EPD’s walk and talk efforts to continue throughout the summer.