Skokie Police launch new enforcement operations

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New Skokie Police Chief Tony Scarpelli, shown in here at his swearing-in ceremony, has launched a surprise inspection initiative that police hope has a chilling effect on crime. | Mike Isaacs ~ Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:15AM

Skokie Police enforcers have embraced the element of surprise.

In the final month of 2011, three parolees living in Skokie were arrested after police participated in a unique operation. The same month, five Skokie retailers were cited for selling alcohol to underage patrons during unannounced inspections.

More recently, a dozen people with active warrants out on them were arrested in another Skokie Police initiative.

These measures have been deployed in Skokie, says Police Chief Tony Scarpelli, because they work to make the village safer.

The three operations within a month or so resulted in citations or charges against 20 Skokie residents or retailers, but Scarpelli believes they have a greater effect than even the arrests. In engaging in surprise inspections, undercover operations and other initiatives, he said, police are sending a message.

“Someone might think twice about what they do in the future,” Scarpelli said.

For the chief, a long-time veteran on the force who has served more than six months in the top spot, a variety of special operations — warrant sweeps, parole compliance checks and liquor inspections — contribute to “safety and security” in Skokie.

Each of these operations has been a joint effort of sorts requiring the cooperation of other agencies. In cracking down on parolees in Skokie, the Skokie Police Department’s Tactical Mission Team and Investigations Division worked with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The operation that resulted in citations against retailers selling alcohol to underage customers was also sponsored by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Skokie Police teamed with The Cook County Fugitive Warrant Operation in arresting those with active warrants in the village.

“We’ve been progressive in these areas because I think there’s a lot of benefits to collaborating,” Scarpelli said.

Police have been able to take advantage of new technology in moving forward with such operations. A Cook Country database over the Internet helped with the outstanding warrant operation, for example. Only recently has the Cook Country Sheriff’s website made available to the public who is wanted on such warrants.

“When I became aware of that, I looked into it and wanted to see what the scope was of people wanted in the community on warrants,” Scarpelli said. “If we come into the knowledge that someone in the community is wanted on a warrant, it’s our obligation to act upon it. By doing so, it helps to make the community safer.”

The outside agencies have also brought their own resources to these enforcement projects that have helped with their success, Scarpelli said.

Skokie Police approached agencies to engage in these operations other than the Illinois Liquor Commission, which approached police to see if they were interested.

Even there, it had been years since a similar operation was conducted in the village, Scarpelli said. In the cases of the warrants and parolee crackdowns, such operations had never taken place.

The liquor inspection is important, police say, to make sure liquor retailers in the community comply with local and state minimum age laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol to those under age 21.

Police visited 17 Skokie liquor retailers during inspection day, 12 of which passed. Each business in violation was cited by the Illinois Liquor Commission for unlawful sale of alcohol to a minor.

Additionally, each clerk or bartender who allegedly was willing to sell alcohol to a minor was cited under the village’s ordinance regarding unlawful sale of alcohol to an underage person. Those cited under the local ordinance appeared in Village Hall Council Chambers this month for an administrative hearing.

In checking on those living in Skokie while under parole, Skokie police arrested only one man who was a parolee.

The other two arrests were of men not on parole. Many more homes were inspected than arrests made, police said.

The parolee was charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon for possession of ammunition and one count of possession of marijuana.

One of the other men was charged with one count of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and numerous other narcotics violations while the other was charged with one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of cocaine and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Many of the dozen people targeted in the department’s latest operation, the warrant sweep, had been wanted for some time, Scarpelli said.

In some cases, those wanted on warrants had moved out of the community, in other cases they had died and were cleared from the books.

A total of 26 warrant cases were resolved, according to police.

The wanted suspects had listed, either recently or formerly, their home address in Skokie or were wanted on a warrant as the result of a Skokie case.

Scarpelli said all three of these operations and new operations could be put into place again or for the first time.

“You never know,” he said. “Could be tomorrow could be next week.”

While some residents have complained about crime in the village, Scarpelli said these measures help to keep crime down. Forthcoming annual crime statistics will indicate that crime has been on the decline, he said.

“I see myself as a team player in accomplishing citizen, village and department public safety and quality of life goals,” the chief said, adding that he wants the village to be accessible, transparent and accountable to the public.

He believes these new operations not only make Skokie safer but send a positive message to the community.

“These operations as well as other efforts encourage the community to trust and to be involved and engaged,” Scarpelli said. “This is all about a partnership.”