Drugs and gangs -- in Oak Park? It can't be true!

[A.Malina]

Drug use on rise in Oak Park

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/1285979,op-crime-111908-s1.article

Excerpt:

If a gang would ever seize control of a block, the graffiti would start cropping up. Williams said he's always monitoring the village's alleys for signs.

So ... in areas where graffiti is(and has been) "cropping up", does that mean it's too late?

[Bonster]

My Oak Park cube mate says it's getting ridiculous there...by his standards, of course.

It ain't just Berwyn.

[Bonster]

Vigilance called for to combat break-ins
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lagrange/news/x1196575290/Vigilance-called-for-to-combat-break-ins-suspect-in-custody

La Grange patrol officers have been busy reminding residents that it's good to lock doors and windows if they want to avoid a burglary.

Meanwhile, a 17-year-old La Grange man arrested early Sunday  on the 800 block of Madison Avenue admitted to about 60 break-ins after a resident reported seeing him hiding in bushes.

Officers on the midnight shift this year have made more than 750 security notifications to residents with windows, doors and garages open or unlocked.

The reason, said Police Chief Michael Holub, is an increase in thefts from vehicles in La Grange and surrounding communities. Since June, more than 80 incidences of car break-ins have been reported. The frustrating thing, Holub said, is that 80 percent of those involved unlocked vehicles.

"We've been trying to remind our residents from keeping stuff out of plain view and to lock their vehicles," he said.

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.
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[A.Malina]

Vigilance called for to combat break-ins
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lagrange/news/x1196575290/Vigilance-called-for-to-combat-break-ins-suspect-in-custody

La Grange patrol officers have been busy reminding residents that it's good to lock doors and windows if they want to avoid a burglary.

"We've been trying to remind our residents from keeping stuff out of plain view and to lock their vehicles," he said.

.

Many, many auto burglary reports each week in Berwyn (and probably everywhere else, too)  start with some woman reporting she left her purse -- containing wallet, license, cash, SS card, whatever -- sitting in plain view on the front seat of her unlocked car...

[Mike Iniquez]

Here is a great way to protect your car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9crWJchDqBc

[~LL~]

Vigilance called for to combat break-ins
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/lagrange/news/x1196575290/Vigilance-called-for-to-combat-break-ins-suspect-in-custody

La Grange patrol officers have been busy reminding residents that it's good to lock doors and windows if they want to avoid a burglary.

"We've been trying to remind our residents from keeping stuff out of plain view and to lock their vehicles," he said.

.

Many, many auto burglary reports each week in Berwyn (and probably everywhere else, too)  start with some woman reporting she left her purse -- containing wallet, license, cash, SS card, whatever -- sitting in plain view on the front seat of her unlocked car...

And some--both male and female--leave the car running! while they pop into the 7-11, etc.  Whaaa?

[MRS. NORTHSIDER]

My in-laws (in their early 80's) are in a state of shock after being informed by the police that the house next door was robbed.  They live in a nice area of Wood Dale in a somewhat newer subdivision (their house is 20 years old).  The kicker is my father-in-law had just gotten up from a nap when the doorbell rang and he opened it to find a black man asking for directions to the train station which is not far from them, which he politely gave.  According to the police this was about the same time the robbery occurred.  I guess they were scoping out the block to see who was home.  They were so lucky that it wasn't a home invasion.   

[Berwyn Patsy]

This type of robbery can happen any where at any time.  The news T.V./newspapers
have started to remind people this time of year is always the busiest for robbers.
The economy has  helped show an increase in crime this year.
It must have been scary for your in-laws.

[Ana]

"Without addressing the potential problem, organized street gangs could take control of blocks and create a sweeping change to Oak Park's demographic landscape."

This is a key statement.  A statement that could mean their drug/gang problem might not get to the point where Berwyn's problem is today.

[TannerBoyle]

Drug use on rise in Oak Park

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/1285979,op-crime-111908-s1.article

Excerpt:

If a gang would ever seize control of a block, the graffiti would start cropping up. Williams said he's always monitoring the village's alleys for signs.

So ... in areas where graffiti is(and has been) "cropping up", does that mean it's too late?

Oak Park is about 25% black.

[A.Malina]

"Without addressing the potential problem, organized street gangs could take control of blocks and create a sweeping change to Oak Park's demographic landscape."

This is a key statement.  A statement that could mean their drug/gang problem might not get to the point where Berwyn's problem is today.

Yes, but once it's no longer "potential" , is there no turning back?

[truman40]

Well I just joined the club. My garage was broken into yesterday and they stole my pride and
joy mitre-saw. The door does not look like it was broken into so I probably left the door unlocked. Complacency, complacency, complacency on my part, my motion light has been out since last year and I never replaced it, but I will today.
Not to sound too bitter but I did get a ticket today also for not displaying my city sticker correctly. Apparently you cannot have 3 city stickers on display at the same time or you can you just need to have the current one at the bottom.
Crime is crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bear]

"Apparently you cannot have 3 city stickers on display at the same time or you can you just need to have the current one at the bottom."

Book him Dano!

[OakParkSpartan]

I don't think it matters how many city stickers you have.  At one point we had 3 on our windshield. 

[Mike Iniquez]

OPS.

          Some towns have adopted a new ordinance that states you can not have more than 3 past city stickers on your windshield. I guess it most have confused the ticket writers.    I'm not sure if Berwyn did.

[OakParkSpartan]

OPS.

          Some towns have adopted a new ordinance that states you can not have more than 3 past city stickers on your windshield. I guess it most have confused the ticket writers.    I'm not sure if Berwyn did.

I don't recall seeing/hearing that come through council.

[Bonster]

that must not apply to parking stickers...drive down OPA in OP...you'll see cars with 10+ stickers on their rear windows.

[Boris]

that must not apply to parking stickers...drive down OPA in OP...you'll see cars with 10+ stickers on their rear windows.

Those stickers are for individual parking zones, I believe.

[J'sMom]

My in-laws (in their early 80's) are in a state of shock after being informed by the police that the house next door was robbed.  They live in a nice area of Wood Dale in a somewhat newer subdivision (their house is 20 years old).  The kicker is my father-in-law had just gotten up from a nap when the doorbell rang and he opened it to find a black man asking for directions to the train station which is not far from them, which he politely gave.  According to the police this was about the same time the robbery occurred.  I guess they were scoping out the block to see who was home.  They were so lucky that it wasn't a home invasion.   

Are you saying that because the man who asked for directions was black, he must be a burglar?

[Bonster]

Well I just joined the club. My garage was broken into yesterday and they stole my pride and
joy mitre-saw. The door does not look like it was broken into so I probably left the door unlocked.

That's sucks; sorry to hear that.  Was your overhead door open, or your service door?

I've had stuff taken from my garage from failing to close the door. 
I use a garage door monitor now as a reminder in case the overhead door is left open.


They can be purchased on ebay from $15-25 (search for "915LM"), can be set up for multiple doors with multiple monitors, and do a great job.  Small sensor attached to the door with velco; receiver inside.  Great for those with alleys and no view of the door.
(replace the remote battery yearly before winter)

They now also have automatic door closers, which can be set for predetermined amounts of time so you'll never have to worry about forgetting:
http://www.chamberlain-garage-door-openers.com/garagebutler.htm