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Fears of Casino-Related Crime Unfound

ELGIN, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Daily Herald: "…In the decade since the Grand Victoria opened, Elgin hasn't been plagued by the crime wave critics said would accompany a casino just south of downtown, according to Elgin police statistics.

"And major crimes at 250 S. Grove Ave., such as robberies, assaults and thefts, are on pace this year to continue a two-year decline, the statistics show.

"…In a 1993 advisory referendum, 2,782 voters tried to block the riverboat from docking in Elgin, in part for fear that soaring crime would outweigh the city's benefit from casino taxes.

"When the casino opened 10 years ago, calls for police at or around the Grand Victoria spiked in the slice of downtown formerly occupied by a smattering of auto dealerships.

"But crime trends indicate the types of offenses have changed since the casino opened, shifting from mostly assaults and drug offenses to disorderly conduct and theft.

"Now, even the minor crimes are on the decline, based on the statistics…"

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