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

[truman40]

Bons- That is actually a pretty cool product. I guess I was just alittle spoiled since honestly there isn't much real crime in my area, at least that I know of,,,,

I am thinking it was the service door that I left open because the back gate was left open and I never use that gate, except to throw out the trash. Are we allowed to lock our back gate to the alley? I thought someone told me we cannot legally do that.

[Bonster]

Bons- That is actually a pretty cool product. I guess I was just alittle spoiled since honestly there isn't much real crime in my area, at least that I know of,,,,

Blotter action:
http://www.berwyntalk.com/smf/index.php?topic=5853.0 

I am thinking it was the service door that I left open because the back gate was left open and I never use that gate, except to throw out the trash. Are we allowed to lock our back gate to the alley? I thought someone told me we cannot legally do that.

My next door neighbor to the south and the guy next to him both lock theirs...

[tgoddess]

Don't remember where I heard it, but maybe it's a fire-code issue?

[Bonster]

[EC]

Gates that are directly connected to an exit out of a building cannot be locked, like gates in narrow gangways that are the only means out. But gates that are connected to yards can be locked as you have a means of escaping from the building into a yard before you get to the gate.

[truman40]

Note to self,,,,,,pickup motion detector light and lock for back gate, thx.

[tgoddess]

Can't find a thing specifically addressing locking your alley gate in the Berwyn Muncipal Code. 

So it's probably okay to lock away, though if the FD ever has to get into your backyard from the alley...might be something to think about...

[dukesdad]

A locked gate won't stop the fire department, or anyone else, from getting in your yard if they want to. Locks are an inconvenience for honest people.

[watcher]

Locks are an inconvenience for honest people.

Locks keep honest people honest.

[Crunchie]

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.   

More likely it's just a stupid arbitrary law designed to generate revenue. I got a ticket for taping my sticker to the window ecause it wouldn't stick by itself.

[Lt. Col. Frank Slade]

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

It is the law, thats what the judge said to the lady in court the last time I got a ticket for parking. He also admonished her for being to lazy to remove the old ones which I thought was going to far.

[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.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081120/ap_on_sc/sci_messing_up_3

Excerpt:

Does a messy neighborhood make a difference on how people act? It sure does! Graffiti on the walls, trash in the street, bicycles chained to a fence, all resulted in a decline in how people behaved in a series of experiments.

Bicycles chained to a fence??