Last year, the number of shooting incidents in Aurora hit the triple digits for the first time in six years.
With 103 reported shootings, 2014 was a difficult time for Aurora police, who increased their focus on gang activity and street violence, Aurora police Chief Gregory Thomas said.
This week, with four months left in the year, Aurora has already reached 2014’s shooting total. Police logged Aurora’s 103rd reported shooting Sunday; by Wednesday, they were logging their 105th. Shootings are incidents where shots are fired, whether or not something or someone is struck by the bullets.
The statistics have some residents concerned and asking questions.
“I wish I knew what was causing this,” said Aurora resident John Gaglione. “I seem to remember there was a ‘no tolerance’ crackdown by the Aurora police several years ago. There were many (gang members) sent to jail and many left the area and even the country. Are those people back now? Did their incarceration end? Are these new players?”
But despite his many questions about the current rise in shootings, Gaglione is quick to applaud Aurora’s crime prevention efforts.
“I felt like things had gotten much better and safer,” he said, when compared with a few years ago.
However, the number of shootings this year is causing some concern.
“I am starting to feel or at least wonder if we are slipping back to where we were 15 or 20 years ago. … At one time it felt like parts of Aurora were a war zone. I don’t want to return to that,” he said.
About 15 years ago, it was common to have more than 250 shootings per year. By 2012, those totals had steeply declined. According to Aurora police statistics, 59 shootings were reported in 2012, and there were no homicides. Since then, the numbers have been on the rise.
Aurora Police Department spokesman Dan Ferrelli said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner and Thomas continue to stress the importance of community involvement when addressing crime and quality-of-life issues in the city.
“Unfortunately, shootings have increased in cities across the country, including Aurora, which is disheartening especially in light of the fact that both violent and property crime are down in Aurora once again this year,” Ferrelli said.
Statistics show that in the last 20 years, major crimes have fallen 46 percent throughout the city, he said.
The community has been rallying together to continue this trend, Ferrelli said.
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“In recent months, there has been a renewed commitment to establishing additional community groups, which are instrumental to the safety of our neighborhoods,” he said.
According to Aurora police, the vast majority of shootings can be attributed to gang or criminal activities.
“From a police standpoint, we’re continuing to aggressively target prolific offenders and problem locations, as well as gathering intelligence and information that may indicate areas where violence is going to take place and who may be involved,” he said.
In the spring, Aurora police hosted several community forums where they addressed possible reasons behind the increase in shooting incidents.
“We’ve seen a lot of influx with younger members (in gangs) who feel the need to prove themselves, violently,” Investigator Bryan Hammond said.
A lot of it also stems from personal conflicts, police said.
“Something as simple as looking at a rival gang member’s girlfriend the wrong way could trigger a shooting war,” he said.
Reported shootings are logged by Aurora police only if evidence of a shooting — such as damaged property or shell casings — is located or if there was a witness, Ferrelli said. While homes and vehicles are often damaged, it’s not as often that someone is hit. Of the year’s 105 shootings, a total of 24 incidents ended with injuries. Four people have been killed and 26 people injured.
“Over the coming months, we will continue to rally neighborhood groups, the business community, faith-based organizations, social service and youth agencies, and all city resources to discuss and implement solutions to the increase in shootings and address ongoing crime and safety initiatives,” Ferrelli said.
Kane County Sheriff’s Lt. Patrick Gengler said that last year, the department responded to four or five calls about shots in the unincorporated area near Aurora, but no one and nothing was struck. This year, there have been about 20 calls, 10 of which Gengler said were likely for legitimate shootings.
“We have so much area that borders the city of Aurora that you really cannot look at them in a vacuum. What happens on one side of the street in the city obviously affects the other side of the street in the county and vice versa,” Gengler said. “We are monitoring the trends and adding extra patrols when possible.”
Other areas around Aurora are also seeing a spike in shootings. Although their shootings occur much less often, the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and Oswego Police Department have both already tied their 2014 numbers.
In 2014, Kendall County reported three shootings in unincorporated areas, and Oswego reported two. Both have already logged those numbers.
“Our goal is to report zero shootings every year,” said Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird.
Baird credited the department’s strict zero-tolerance gang policy with helping keep shooting totals low.
“We have a very proactive police force, and we are proud to have garnished a reputation among gang members to be extraordinarily strict with them,” he said. “We will continue to focus our resources on violent crimes and work with residents to minimize the possibilities of these crimes even occurring.”