Posted fliers prompt neighborhood watch in Hampshire

HAMPSHIRE – Some false rumors have inspired real progress between residents and police in three area subdivisions.

Kane County sheriff’s police organized a meeting this week with residents of Hampshire Oaks I and II and The Point subdivisions after someone distributed anonymous fliers about 11 alleged neighborhood robberies.

“The thieves are watching every move you make,” the flier said. “If you see anything suspicious, please call the police. The FBI is also involved.”

Yet those statements were false, police said. Kane County sheriff’s Lt. Kevin Williams distributed a second note to residents to let them know that no robberies and no burglaries had occurred in any of the three neighborhoods in the past five months.

Thieves recently had stolen two all-terrain vehicles in the neighborhood, one of which was recovered, Kane County sheriff’s Lt. Pat Gengler said.

The neighborhood’s other reported police activity included two charges of criminal damage to property and one count each of disorderly conduct, mischievous conduct and attempted burglary.

Police and residents created a neighborhood watch program to promote safety and avoid miscommunication in the future, Gengler said.

Others who are interested in establishing similar neighborhood watch programs in northern Kane County may do so by visiting www.kanesheriff.com and clicking the link for “about neighborhood watch,” Gengler said.

“It’s the backbone of community policing,” he said. “We’d love to have a neighborhood watch in every neighborhood we have.”

The programs include neighborhood phone trees, meetings and occasional patrols to make sure that everything is in order, Gengler said.

Residents often can spot something amiss in a neighborhood faster than a patrol officer can, he said.

“If we’re driving through a neighborhood and we see a construction van backed up to a garage, a neighbor might know they’re not having anything done or they’re on vacation for the weekend, whereas a deputy driving by might not know those two things,” Gengler said. “The neighbors up there have taken some positive steps forward.”