DeKalb | Pleasant Street became the site of several gang-related incidents last week. The string of events started with a stabbing Monday and another altercation on Tuesday between a DeKalb resident and a group of four that did not result in serious injury.

DeKalb police made a number of arrests, including a 15-year-old male suspect in the stabbing. The State’s Attorney’s Office is expected to petition the court to try the boy as an adult. The suspect was apprehended by police Tuesday morning, and a search was conducted at a residence in the 800 block of Pleasant Street. Though the search yielded some clothing and knives, police are not sure any of the knives were used in the stabbing.

DeKalb police made three more arrests Thursday. Police arrested Miguel Espinoza, 18, of DeKalb in the 400 block of S. Sixth Street on two counts of mob action. Adrian A. Doak, 19, of DeKalb and Alvaro Avila, 24, also of DeKalb were later arrested on counts of mob action when they went to post bond for Espinoza.

“Right now gang activity is probably some of the worst we’ve seen in a long time, because there’s just so much activity going on,” said DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes.

DeKalb police responded to the increased gang activity by speaking with landlords and neighbors to identify gang members in the neighborhoods and also by increasing patrols in the Pleasant Street area.

“We’re devoting additional on-duty resources [to patrol] but also bringing people in on overtime because of the increased activity in that area,” said DeKalb Chief of Police Bill Feithen.

Kayes said the increase in patrols has yielded positive results.

“We’ve had police up in that area in the last week, and it’s really paid off as far as preventing [incidents] and intercepting people right after an incident happens,” Kayes said.

“DeKalb police are working to solve the problem in a more long-term sense as well,” Feithen said.

“The city has been involved in neighborhood watches with these neighborhoods,” Feithen said. “We work with the school district to identify gang members and wannabes.”

Kayes said NIU students have little to fear from gang violence.

“The likelihood of some student from Grant South getting assaulted by a gang member is very low,” Kayes said.

The juvenile suspect apprehended in Monday’s stabbing is being held on charges of armed violence, aggravated battery using a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Police expect to bring lesser charges against others involved in the brawl.