(a) In the event of the occurrence of several instances of violent of dangerous crime on any given street or in any given area (such as a public park), as determined in the discretion of the Village Chief of Police, Safety Director and Council, collectively, in a period of twelve (12) months, the Village shall designate such street or area, as applicable, as a High Crime Area.
(b) In order for any area within the Village to be designated as a High Crime Area under this section, the following shall occur.
(1) The Chief of Police, in the Chief's sole discretion, shall recommend the designation of a High Crime Area by preparing a report making such recommendation and providing that report to the Village's Safety Director.
(2) Upon receipt of a report recommending that an area in the Village be designated as a High Crime Area, the Safety Director shall promptly review said report and shall, in the Safety Director's sole discretion, either (i) recommend to Council that the Chief's recommendation be accepted and a High Crime Area designated by introducing legislation to Council to that effect for passage or (ii) deny the Chief's recommendation in writing to the Chief of Police.
(3) In the event that the Safety Director introduces legislation to Council recommending the designation of a High Crime Area, Council shall consider such legislation. If such legislation is adopted by Council, then a High Crime Area shall be designated in accordance with the terms and provisions of this ordinance.
(c) The Village shall cause any designated High Crime Area to be identified with signage warning persons of the existence of a High Crime Area. Such signage shall be approved and developed by the Village Police Department.
(d) In the event that any street or area is designated as a High Crime Area hereunder, the Village shall make good faith efforts at outreach to the community as to the existence of the High Crime Area and its specific location, by providing said information to its residents in the Village newsletter, and by informing a newspaper of general circulation within the Village of such High Crime Area designation.
(e) A High Crime Area shall no longer be designated as a High Crime Area if a period of six (6) months has lapsed since the last violent or dangerous crime has occurred there or if the Safety Director deems it appropriate, in the Safety Director's sole discretion, to remove said High Crime Area designation.
(f) For purposes of this section, violent or dangerous crime shall include incidents or a series of incidents which, in the collective discretion of the Chief of Police, Safety Director and Village Council, warrant designation as a High Crime Area and implementation of the warning systems included in this section.
(Ord. 2019-26. Passed 9-17-19.)