Buffalo Grove Report: September 2019

Sep 27, 2019

Text leads to theater theatrics

An Arizona man was admonished by staff at the Buffalo Grove Theater for answering a text during a movie. Police reports say the man and his son were the only people in the theater when he received a text. He said a staff member told him he was not allowed to have his cell phone on and was told to turn it off. The man said he told the staff member that if he was being asked to leave, he wanted a refund. The staff member and the man went to see the manager of the theater who removed the cash drawer from the register, placed it in an office and told the man he could not have a refund due to there being no money in the register and the movie having been playing for an hour.

Police reports say the theater manager and the employee documented the story, but the employee said the man “got in her face” in an aggressive manner when he demanded a refund. The manager also stated, reports say, that due to a “disclaimer that plays before any movie, it is illegal for any device capable of recording to be operating, including cell phones”. The manager also denied any refund request.

The man said he was going to give the theater a bad review online and speak with the village regarding licensing of the business.

Lane Change? -- A Northbrook man told police that a driver was throwing coins at his car. When police checked, the man who threw the coins was found to have his license suspended because of what police reports said were “financial”.

Strange odor – A Buffalo Grove woman called police about a suspicious car because he dog followed a scent to it. The woman was able to take a picture of the license plate and told police said the car had a Lyft sticker in the rear window. She said she was concerned about a body being in the trunk because her car led her to the car. Lyft did not have any information on the car. Police were unable to make contact with the owner or the body.

Let’s get this straight – A driver escaped parking ticket because if conflicting no parking signs along Ivy Hall Lane. The driver told police that one sign said no parking on School Days from 2 to 4 p.m., while another says no parking on school days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The sign has been replaced.

Don’t take a deep breath –Police were summoned to check for a vehicle with “heavy exhaust.” Police had a license plate number and were able to locate the vehicle’s owner. Exhale.

So, who’s getting the benefits? -- A man told police he was contacted by Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) that they were processing his benefits. Thing is, the man never filed for unemployment insurance. Police gave the man information about ID theft prevention, but no job offers.

Takes guts – A village employee said she was contacting PayPal about opening up an account for the village, but was told one had been opened six days before. No one at the village was aware of this and contacted the Fraud Department at PayPal.

Excuse of the week

A subject told police he was not wearing a seatbelt because he was recovering from surgery after being bit in the groin by a pit bull.

Community News

Former trustee dies

John Marienthal, who was the longest serving village board member died Sept. 21. Marienthal was on the board from 1975 through 2002.

Patching set for BG Road

The Cook County Highway Department (CCHD) will begin patching work on Monday, Sept. 30 on portions of Buffalo Grove Road between St. Mary's Road to south of Dundee Road - including some turning lanes. One lane in either direction will be closed for approximately six weeks for the duration of this patching project.

Pedal up

National Walk or Bike to School Day is Wednesday, Oct. 2. Buffalo Grove Police officers will be at Meridian Middle School welcoming students with a healthy treat and giveaways. School Resource Officers and others will also be available before school, greeting students. Motorists are reminded to be aware of the increased number of pedestrians and to use caution in school zones.

Coffee with a cop is Wednesday

Buffalo Grove Police will be at the Dunkin' Donuts at 245 N. McHenry Road for the 4th Annual National Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, October 2nd from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Officers will be available to chat and answer questions from members of the public in a casual and friendly environment.

Rotary sponsoring exchange students

The Buffalo Grove Rotary is sponsoring foreign exchange students for the 2020-2021 school year. Students must be between 15 ½ and 18 ½ years of age.

State law targets law enforcement suicides

Illinois Gov. Jay Pritzker has signed into law a measure that allows police, firefighters and other first responders to seek mental health care confidentially. Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Casstevens has been active in this effort.

Student Voices

Here are links to the student newspapers at Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools.

Buffalo Grove High School Charger

Stevenson High School Statesman

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Sep 20, 2019

Driver keeps on truckin' during payroll dispute

Representatives of a truck leasing company contacted Buffalo Grove police about a truck and trailer they believed to be in Georgia. They said the electronic logging device indicated the truck and trailer were at a grocery store in Georgia. Police say the driver made the delivery and left the area. Police traced the man’s credit card to the Atlanta area where he allegedly cashed two pay checks. He was dispatched to pick up another load, but never made the pick-up.

Police were able to contact the driver who, reports say, “became argumentative” and told police he had “amnesia and didn’t recall where he left the truck and trailer.” He told police if he received what he called “proper pay checks” he could probably remember where the truck and trailer were. He said the truck was at the location of his last delivery and that he was demanding payment for three weeks of employment.

Police advised the driver that keeping and hiding the truck was a criminal matter. The company owner asked police to enter the truck and trailer as stolen and that he was not going to give into the driver’s demands.

Probably a good idea – A Long Grove man was charged with two counts of DUI and one count of speeding Sept. 17. During the traffic stop the man told police “he should have stayed home.” His BAC was 0.11

Burglary from car – An Arlington Heights man told police his car was broken into while he was attending mass at St. Mary’s Church. The man told police “he believed” he left the car unlocked. He noticed a money clip with $200 in cash and his wallet that contained credit cards and his drivers license was taken.

Possession of controlled substance – A Niles man faces one charge of possession of a controlled substance, one charge for possession of cannabis. Police reports say they found the substances when they went to arrest the man for violating an order of protection. Police say they found pills. That were Alprazolam and a bottle containing cocaine. The man also had $2,500 hidden in his pants. The report did not say how they found the cash.

Something fishy here -- An employee of Sushi Grove called police to say three customers left without paying their $73 bill. Police tried to trace the customers do0own through a license plate number taken by an employee at the restaurant, but were unable to locate anyone.

Community News

More than 240 traffic stops made during Labor Day enforcement

Buffalo Grove police report that during the Labor Day traffic campaign, which ran from Aug. 16 until Sept. 3, a total of 242 motorists were stopped for committing various traffic violations, though not all were ticketed.

The Department made one impaired driving arrest and wrote 165 citations to drivers for not being buckled up. In addition, 22 speeding citations were written, and 20 motorists received citations for using a mobile device while driving.

Zero tolerance was shown by Buffalo Grove Police when it came to intoxicated driving.

The Buffalo Grove Police Department joined forces with law enforcement throughout the State of Illinois. The Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with federal dollars managed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

New chair for Police-Fire Commission named

The new chair of the village’s Police and Fire Commission may have some challenges ahead of her – and they may not be with the police or fire departments. According to reporting in the Daily Herald, Jane Dibbern, who has been on the panel for 10 years, spends four months living in Arizona. She has, the Herald reports, agreed to fly in for Police and Fire Commission meetings. In addition to regular Commission meetings, expectations are that Dibbern will need to attend other meetings the Commission may have related to Police and Fire department matters.

Grass tax approved

Residents who think taxes are too high may rethink this tax. It’s one that people will pay to get high. The Village Board approved a tax on recreational marijuana when the casual pot law goes into effect Jan. 1. Approval of the tax does not guarantee that recreation marijuana will be available in the village, but provides a taxing provision.

League effort targets young voters

When it comes to civic engagement, voting is not only the best, but easiest way to get involved. That’s one of the messages the League of Woman Voters is sending to high school students who are turning 18 this year as part of its drive to get them registered.

Cops to become baristas behind the badge Oct. 2

The Buffalo Grove Police Department is inviting residents to join them for a cup of coffee and conversation at the annual “Coffee with a Cop” on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Dunkin’ Donuts, located at 245 McHenry Road, in Buffalo Grove.

Various members from the Police Department will be on hand to informally meet with Buffalo Grove residents.

The agency is hoping individuals with questions, comments, compliments or concerns will stop by and get to know police officers who serve Buffalo Grove.

“There can be an air of mystery surrounding police work, and our officers are more than happy to share information about how and why things are done,” said Police Chief Steven Casstevens. “If residents have ever had a question about policing, now is the time to come and ask.”

RV restrictions kick in Oct. 1

In keeping with Village regulations, residents have until Sept. 30 to store or park recreational vehicles (RVs) on residential driveways. Starting Oct. 1, RVs may only be parked in driveways for 15 days cumulatively, but can be stored in interior side yards or rear yards, if certain standards are met. The 15-day limit is in effect through May 14.

From May 15 through Sept. 30, there is no limit on the number of days RVs can be parked on residential driveways.

Click here to learn more about these and other regulations, or contact Rati Akash in the Community Development Department at 847-459-5592.

Drag story time set at VAPL

Drag Storytime will be at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Rd, Lincolnshire, from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 28 for children ages 2-8 with adult chaperone. Additional siblings are also invited to attend. invited. Persons interested in attending should register at the Library.