STRICT LINE IN THE SAND

Chances are the carpool mom who makes a turn against a red light isn't
a member of a gang, coming from a drug buy or carrying a
semi-automatic under her seat.

But if an Elgin police officer sees her, she's going to get
stopped.

The approach may seem ridiculous to some, who argue that in the wake
of a recent rash of violent gang crimes, Elgin police surely have
something more important to do.

But that's the essence of the zero tolerance policy city officials
outlined this week: Anyone and everyone caught breaking the law in
Elgin - no matter how minor the infraction - will be stopped and questioned.

It's a policy Elgin Police Chief William Miller said Wednesday will
help officers identify who is moving throughout the community,
particularly if those people are gang members or drug dealers.

"We're putting them on notice," Miller said. "When we know them, it
puts pressure on them to ... leave town."

But it won't just be suspected gang members who will be stopped, city
officials said.

Zero tolerance also addresses quality of life issues such as the
city's noise ordinance, loitering, trespassing and property crimes,
and has an added goal of stopping petty criminals before they commit
more serious crimes.

"That means it doesn't make any difference who you are or who you
know," Elgin City Councilwoman Marie Yearman told residents at a
special council meeting Wednesday. "When we make the decision to do
this, we must back our police department."

But not everyone agrees zero tolerance is an appropriate
approach.

In other communities where the policy has been used, residents have
argued police have been too heavy-handed, that too often their efforts
have unfairly targeted young, male minorities.

It is a fear some say doesn't exist only outside Elgin's city
limits.

"What has happened in other places, other states, I know that will
raise questions in the mind of some minorities," said the Rev. Francis
Senyah of St. James AME Church. "People will think and wonder, 'Is
that going to happen here?'"

The key to quelling those fears, said Elgin City Councilman Juan
Figueroa, will be for the department to continue to operate by the
book.

"We need to make sure that when we're stopping someone, it's because
we need to enforce the law and (it's) not an issue of (whether) the
person is Hispanic, black or another minority," Figueroa said.
"They're doing a good job of that right now."

Elgin police said they are instructing officers about the policy -
which has been activated in the past and was renewed after last
month's triple murders - during daily roll calls.

The department also plans to issue information in the local media so
the community is aware of the stepped-up enforcement.

But for most residents, Elgin city spokesman Clay Pearson said, the
change should be barely noticeable.

"This is nothing new for us," Pearson said. "There have been times in
the past where we've concentrated on specific areas. Here we're just
saying we're stepping up enforcement for everyone.

"This shouldn't really be an inconvenience," he added. "It's following
the rules of the road and other ordinances. The majority of residents
don't have anything to worry about."