When the Chief of Police receives one or more police reports documenting the occurrence of a nuisance activity on or within a property, the Chief of Police shall independently review such reports to determine whether they describe criminal acts. Upon such findings, the Chief may:
(A) Notify the person in charge in writing that the property is in danger of becoming a chronic nuisance property. The notice shall contain the following information:
(1) The street address or a legal description sufficient for identification of the property;
(2) A statement that the Chief of Police has information that the property may be chronic nuisance property, with a concise description of the nuisance activities that may exist or that have occurred. The Chief of Police shall offer the person in charge an opportunity to propose a course of action that the Chief of Police agrees will abate the nuisance activities giving rise to the violation.
(3) Demand that the person in charge respond to the Chief of Police within ten days to discuss the nuisance activities.
(B) If after complying with the notification procedures described herein the Chief of Police receives a police report documenting the occurrence of a third nuisance activity at or within a property and determines that the property has become a chronic nuisance property, the Chief of Police shall:
(1) Notify the person in charge in writing that the property has been determined to be a chronic nuisance property. The notice shall conform to the following:
(a) It shall set forth the street address or legal description sufficient for identification of the property;
(b) It shall include a statement that the Chief of Police has determined the property to be a chronic nuisance property with a concise description of the nuisance activities leading to his/her findings;
(c) It shall demand that the person in charge respond within ten days to the Chief of Police and propose a course of action that the Chief of Police agrees will abate the nuisance activities giving rise to the violation;
(d) Service shall be made either personally or by first class mail, postage pre-paid, return receipt requested, addressed to the person in charge at the address of the property believed to be a chronic nuisance property, or such other place which is likely to give the person in charge notice of the determination by the Chief of Police;
(e) A copy of the notice shall be served on the owner at such address as shown on the tax rolls of Lake County, Illinois and/or the occupant, at the address of the property, if these persons are different than the person in charge, and shall be made either personally or by first class mail, postage pre-paid;
(f) A copy of the notice shall also be posted at the property after the ten days has elapsed from the service or mailing of the notice to the person in charge and the person in charge has not contacted the Chief of Police;
(g) The failure of any person to receive notice that the property may be a chronic nuisance property shall not invalidate or otherwise affect the proceedings under this chapter.
(2) If, after the notification, but prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by the village pursuant to this chapter, a person in charge stipulates with the Chief of Police that the person in charge will pursue a course of action that parties agree will abate the nuisance activities giving rise to the violation, the Chief of Police may agree to postpone legal proceedings for a period of not less than ten nor more than thirty days. If the agreed course of action does not result in the abatement of the nuisance activity or if no agreement concerning abatement is reached within thirty days, the Chief of Police shall request the Village Attorney or prosecuting attorney to commence a legal proceeding to abate the nuisance.
(3) Concurrent with the notification procedures set forth herein, the Chief of Police shall send copies of the notices, as well as any other documentation which supports legal proceedings, to the Village Attorney.
(C) When a person in charge makes a response to the Chief of Police as required above, any conduct or statements made in connection with the furnishing of that response shall not constitute an admission that any nuisance activities have or are occurring. This subsection does not require the exclusion of any evidence which is otherwise admissible or offered for any other purpose.
(Ord. 2015-O-21, passed 10-6-15)