Police: October 2007 Archives

BY DAVE PARRO

An Oswego junior high went into full lockdown mode Tuesday when a single bullet was found outside the school, but an Aurora elementary school conducted business as usual Wednesday after a van was shot up down the street.

What's wrong with this picture?

BY MIKE CETERA

The West Aurora School District seems intent on adding dozens of surveillance cameras to watch over the staff and students of West Aurora High School. Administrators say it's all in the name of safety and security. The problem, of course, is there's not much evidence to suggest cameras provide either.

"Research shows that a feeling of personal safety in school is essential for a child to learn," district spokesman Mike Chapin said.

"It is up to us to provide a sense of security to students and staff," said West High Principal Dan Bridges.

A feeling of personal safety. A sense of security. The research, or lack thereof, makes it terribly unclear if cameras provide anything more than a feeling, if schools are actually more safe and secure with cameras in place. What is clear is cameras do provide whichever company installs and maintains the cameras large sums of taxpayer money. They also explode the notion that employees and students have a right to privacy.

BY MIKE CETERA

Waubonsie Valley High School students, take pause on Wednesday. Oswego High School students -- with your friends' memories still fresh in your mind -- take pause, too. And Randy Visor, even as you once again fight for your freedom, please take pause and think about the lives lost a decade ago.

Wednesday marks the 10-year anniversary of the fatal DUI crash that killed WVHS students Jenni Linn Anderson, 16; Allison Matzdorf, 16; and Jennifer Roberts, 16. Also killed was 27-year-old Ana Pryor.

BY MIKE CETERA

At today's Finance Committee meeting, Aurora aldermen once again are scheduled to discuss the installation of red-light cameras at various intersections. The cameras would be used to catch and fine motorists who run red lights.

Critics have suggested the cameras are more about money than safety. This is a legitimate criticism, although I have no problem with the city making a buck on people who can't follow the law. Consider it another sin tax. What should concern all of us, however, is whether these cameras are even necessary or constitutional.

Indeed, there are many unanswered questions that should be addressed prior to any vote.

Has there been an increase in accidents associated with red-light violations that is prompting this move? Which intersections have the highest ratio of accidents to vehicles? The Beacon's own story said the cameras will be placed at the most dangerous intersections, which haven't yet been determined. How is this possible that police don't know this already? Will cameras be placed at high-volume intersections that don't have an accident history? Was there any data collected in Aurora that shows how frequently motorists drive through red lights?

BY MIKE CETERA

Good news for people who want to see illegal immigrants deported: The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says it has stepped up efforts to arrest gang members on immigration charges.

See the USA Today report here; the agency news release here; and the agency's fact sheet on its operations here.

According to the agency, officials first established its Fugitive Operations Teams in 2003 to remove illegal immigrants from the country "who have failed to depart the United States based upon a final order of removal, deportation or exclusion; or who has failed to report to a Detention and Removal Officer after receiving notice to do so."

The National Fugitive Operations Program is responsible for reducing the fugitive alien population in the United States. ICE’s databases show the targeted enforcement strategy is paying off. Earlier this year, the nation’s fugitive alien population declined for the first time. The estimated number of immigration fugitives in the United States on September 30, 2007 was just under 595,000, a one-year decrease of more than 37,000.

ICE previously has rounded up gang members in Aurora.