Pubdate: Fri, 12 Nov 1999 Source: Chicago Tribune (IL) Copyright: 1999 Chicago Tribune Company Contact: 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4066 Website: http://www.chicagotribune.com/ Forum: http://www.chicagotribune.com/interact/boards/ Author: Phil Borchmann DRUGS, PROSTITUTION TARGETS OF KANE'S NEW LOITERING LAW Kane County sheriff's police have a new weapon to thwart drug dealing and prostitution--a loitering citation. County Board members this week voted 21-3 to adopt an ordinance that allows officers to approach loiterers if they exhibit certain behavior, such as acting as a lookout, handing small packages to another person "in a furtive fashion" in exchange for money, or repeatedly stopping individuals or vehicles and engaging them in conversations "indicative of drug dealing . . . or prostitution." Violators can be fined up to $500, but law enforcement officials believe the strength of the ordinance lies in the ability to break up potentially illegal activity. The law was crafted largely in response to prostitution and drug dealing in a far southeast portion of Aurora, where several blocks under county control are almost enveloped by the city. The city of Aurora has a similar law on its books, officials said. "The city's ordinances don't affect that (unincorporated) area and the criminals know this, so they walk to the other side of the street," said County Board member Dorothy Sanchez (D-Aurora). "We've got the citizen and business owners screaming to get something done, but our county officers' hands have been tied." Aurora Democrat Gerald Jones initially opposed the proposed anti-loitering law, he said because he believed there was potential for discrimination against minorities. But as long as sheriff's police received the proper training, the likelihood of abuse of power will be limited, he said. "It gives the Sheriff's Department another opportunity to intervene," said Jones, who is the only African-American on the 26-member County Board. But another Aurora Democrat, Paul Greviskes, voted against the measure, saying the ordinance threatens to intrude upon personal freedom. "It comes so very close to infringing on what could be lawful activity," said Greviskes, who is an attorney. "It's a vague statute that definitely skirts the line." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea