Formed in 2015, the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force has come into its own, according to Sheriff Mark Curran, who said the group’s accomplishments in 2017 demonstrate “a huge impact.”
The Gang Task Force has been “extremely active” throughout Lake County, fighting crime in the areas of illegal drugs, gun trafficking and human trafficking, which Curran said help to finance and further gang activity.
“The Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force is making a huge impact removing drugs and gang members from our communities,” Curran said in an announcement last week. “Drug dealers don’t care about jurisdictional boundaries and are present in every Lake County community. The Gang Task Force tracks dealers regardless of where they choose to sell their poisons.”
In 2017, the Sheriff’s Office officials said the task force opened more than 200 criminal cases resulting in nearly 150 arrests and drug seizures totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Those included 189 grams of crack cocaine with a purported street value of $18,900, 1,540 grams of cocaine with a street value $153,930, 42 grams of heroin with a street value of $4,980, an estimated $60,000 worth of illegally obtained prescription pills, about 57 pounds of marijuana that authorities valued at $523,000, four grams of methamphetamine valued at $80 and 14 MDMA (ecstasy) pills with an estimated value of $80.
The Sheriff’s Gang Task Force also made several weapons arrests and seized 18 guns in 2017.
“I’m extremely proud of our unit seizing over $750,000 worth of illegal drugs and taking 18 illegally possessed firearms out of the hands of criminals,” Curran said.
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Cases investigated by the task force have also resulted in local drug-induced homicide arrests since the group’s formation.
Officials say street gangs make much of their money through the sale of drugs and weapons, and have also been found to be involved in human trafficking and money laundering.
Curran said awareness and education is also a significant responsibility of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force.
Task force members deliver presentations to school students, teachers, parents, professionals, community leaders and groups to provide education on the warning signs and indicators of drug and/or gang activity, he said.
Funding and resources for the group come partly through partnerships with organizations such as the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Grayslake Lake Villa, Mundelein and Wauconda police departments.
Curran said last week that that at a recent meeting at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reaffirmed its commitment of personnel and resources to the Sheriff’s Gang Task Force “for the years to come.”
“Shared values, shared resources and a commitment to keeping Lake County safe can be best achieved through our partnerships with federal, state, local police departments, along with community support,” the sheriff said. “I appreciate the ATF’s continuing participation in the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force.”
North Chicago boy to be honored
A 12-year-old North Chicago boy is being honored by the City Council Monday for helping to save the life of a resident in medical distress.
Chris Monroe is scheduled to receive North Chicago’s Citizen Life Saving Award Monday night before Mayor Leon Rockingham and the City Council, “for extraordinary actions that led to a life being saved.”
Authorities said the youth flagged down a North Chicago police officer after noticing a that a passenger in a nearby car was having a medical emergency.
“In this instance, Chris’ quick action led to the victim receiving prompt medical attention,” North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez said. “Time is critical during a medical emergency, and having bystanders get involved can make a huge difference in the outcome.”
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