Investigations

Community Response Team
Gang/Drug Crimes Unit

Police Car The Carpentersville Police Department has a special unit that focuses on enforcement, intervention and prevention to reduce gang/drug activity within the city.

Specifically, the CPD Community Response Team Unit works to suppress criminal gang activity, investigate gang and drug-related crimes and gather intelligence on known and suspected gang members. The unit provides the department with experts in intelligence, expertise and training specific to gang and drug-related crimes and provides awareness training to schools, corporations, social service agencies, probation officers and civilian groups.

A gang is defined as three or more persons with an established hierarchy that, through its membership or through the agency of any member, engages in a course or pattern of criminal activity.

The consequences of gang affiliation are high. Membership and association often guarantees a criminal history that can impede a person's ability or likelihood to succeed in life. Gang members also jeopardize the safety of family members. Gang members often retreat from the positive influences in their community including friends, family, schools and community organizations. They find their only friends are active gang members who become part of their own extended family.
Steps parents can take:

Talk to your child. Discuss the consequences of becoming involved in a gang.
Involve your children in family and outside activities.
Take an active role in your child's education and progress.
Monitor social media activity.
Become acquainted with the resources available within your community.
Work with the Carpentersville Police Department in identifying and intervening in gang activities before they become a problem for your family.
Respond quickly in removing graffiti.
Report suspected gang activity immediately. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1. You may also wish to consult a gang specialist. Contact our Gang Crimes Unit at 847-551-3481.

Adult Investigations

Responsibilities

The Carpentersville Police Department Adult Investigations Unit handles all major crimes such as murder, robberies, sexual assaults, and other crimes involving adult offenders. Most detectives assigned to the Unit have a broad base of investigative experience and knowledge and work a wide variety of cases.

Financial Crimes Unit

The Adult Investigations Unit also has a Financial Crimes Unit that investigates identity theft, forgery, computer / Internet crimes, confidence crimes, and other white collar crimes.

Contacting Detectives / Providing Information

Detectives welcome information that can be provided on any crime. They prefer information from non-confidential sources; however, all detectives will respect your privacy and know the importance of allowing people to provide confidential information and remain anonymous.

To provide information that will help detectives solve a crime or locate a suspect, please call the Carpentersville Crime Tip Line at 847-551-3488. Rewards may be available for significant information.

The members of the Adult Investigations Unit are dedicated to solving crimes and working with the community in order to improve quality of life and make Carpentersville a safety place to live.

How Cases are Assigned

Initial Reports

The Carpentersville Police Department Investigations Units are sent anywhere from 15 to 20 cases per day for review. Most initial crimes are reported to patrol officers or officers working at the Information Desk.

Cases that do not require the immediate response of an investigator are processed in the Records Department and then electronically sent to investigative supervisors for review the next day.

Assigning the Case

Supervisors review the reports and assign cases based on the following factors:

Seriousness of the crime
Number of crimes or identified patterns
Suspect information
Physical evidence
Other solvability factors

Identity Theft

Preventing Identity Theft / Credit Card Fraud

Do's:

Sign your cards as soon as they arrive
Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place
Keep an eye on your card during the transaction and get it back as soon as possible
Void incorrect receipts
Destroy carbons
Save receipts to compare with billing statements
Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account
Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer
Notify card companies in advance of a change of address

Don'ts:

Lend your card to anyone
Leave cards or receipts lying around
Sign a blank receipt. When you sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.
Write your account number on a postcard or the outside of an envelope
Give out your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a company you know is reputable. If you have questions about the company, check it out with your local consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau