The DeKalb City Council received a report of police activities at a meeting Monday.

The report, presented by Chief of Police Gene Lowery, details criminal activity in DeKalb between the dates of Aug. 23 and Sept. 30.

The report noted an increase of crime between Fridays and Sundays this year, compared to 2011.

“We have seen a rise of incidents taking place on the weekend,” Lowery said.

Lowery said the increase in weapon crime was most alarming to him.

The amount of weapon-based incidents in the report has risen to seven, from four last year.

“This is the category of most concern to me,” Lowery said. “I’m concerned about the amount of weapons we encounter on the streets.”

Lowery commended the officers of the DeKalb Police Department for the extra effort they have given.

“We asked our officers to do more, and they did,” Lowery said.

The council also discussed a preliminary plan to increase fines for the owners of dogs who attack people.

The plan would mandate a fine of at least $100 for a “dog at large,” a dog who has escaped but does not attack, and at least $500 for any dog who engages in violent behavior, said City Attorney Dean Frieders.

The plan was supported by Doris Sernovitz, a DeKalb resident whose pet was killed by an escaped dog.

“I have a right to feel safe in my neighborhood, and I don’t,” Sernovitz said. “If I can prevent this happening to someone else, that is important.”

Breed-based laws were suggested, but some aldermen did not approve.

“A dog is what you make it,” 3rd Ward Alderman Kristen Lash said. “I would not be in favor of breed-based legislation.”

The council voted unanimously to bring the matter back for further discussion at a future meeting.

Changes to the issuance of water billing notices were approved by a vote of five to two.

The decision will change overdue notices to allow only 10 days until shutoff, and will eliminate notices attached to the front doors of residents, according to a Sept. 24 Northern Star article.