Vandalism – A resident in the 100 block of Willow Parkway told police that a window was shattered, apparently by a BB-gun. He told police that he was sitting in his living room when he heard a loud bang near his rear glass sliding door. Upon investigation, police also found a second window that had a hole in it, apparently from a BB.
Vehicle damaged – Police report that someone smashed a front passenger side window on his vehicle while it was parked near the Big Blue Swim School, 101 McHenry Road.
Graffiti – A person contacted police to report three individuals were spraying graffiti on the overpass wall on Lake Cook Road east of Hastings. Police confirmed that the overpass had been tagged.
Retail theft – Officials at Woodman's Market contacted police after they observed three teenagers taking three laundry hampers and leaving the store without paying. Officers located the three who said they put laundry hampers on their heads and left the store without paying. They returned to baskets to the store and were issued trespass warnings.
Criminal Damage to Property – An employee at Villa Verde said he placed a windshield barnacle on a vehicle for improper parking, but the owner of the vehicle removed and damaged the item, valued at $410.
Motor Vehicle Theft – A resident in the 1500 block of Johnson Drive told police that his vehicle was apparently stolen from the parking lot adjoining his home. The vehicle was described as a 2014 JEEP Grand Cherokee. The vehicle was later recovered in Waukegan.
Residential Burglary -- A resident in the 1700 block of Johnson Drive reported that someone entered their residence on March 12. Police did not report what was taken or the value of missing items.
False report – A Buffalo Grove man was cited for felony disorderly conduct after he allegedly reported a six-year-old child seen swimming in the water at Green Lake Park. Reports say he told 9-1-1 dispatchers that he saw the child swimming in a lake as he was “driving by” the location. First responders did not find anyone. The follow-up investigation led to the man’s arrest.
Methamphetamine possession -- A Vernon Hills woman was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing a Police Officer, driving with expired registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after police stopped her near Lake Cook and McHenry roads. While talking with the driver, police noticed she was showing signs of impairment. She was arrested and processed at the police station.
Book burning -- Officers responded to 225 McHenry Rd. on report of an “unauthorized fire”. When they arrived, police found a textbook burning on the east side of the building. No apparent damage was observed to the surroundings. The fire department extinguished the fire without incident. Reports did not indicate the subject of the book.
In Other Community News
Trash, recycle rates set to climb?
An increase in garbage and recycling collection rates may become reality when the Village Boad meets tonight, Monday, March 18. Trustees are expected to vote on increases that would total .91 cents a month in the first year with .92-cents and .97-cent monthly increases in the second and third year respectively.
Monthly collection for residents who have single-family detached homes without a landscape cart would increase 4.83 percent (.82 cents) in the first year with a 4.72 percent (.84 cents) in the second year and 4.76 percent (.89 cents) in the third year. The “At Your Door” service would increase 6.43 percent (.09 cents) in year one, 5.37 percent (.08 cents) in year two and 5.1 percent (.08 cents) in the third year.
Village officials say an estimated 6,000 residents used the “At Your Door” service during the current agreement and claim it has more than a 90 percent satisfaction rate.
One change, according to village officials, is that “starting April 1, residents will be able to comingle their food scraps with yard waste, as it all goes to the same facility. They can use their landscape toter (if they have one). There will be some limitations and we are currently working with WM on details that will be shared with residents very soon.”
License plate readers on BGPD’s radar
Buffalo Grove police may have a new tool in their crime-fighting arsenal if the Village Board approves a $230,100 proposal for an Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) program. The proposal, which cannot exceed $253,110, would provide the village with 14 units that would be located around the village.
In a memo to the Board, Police Chief Brian Budds said that most of Buffalo Grove’s neighboring communities have ALPR units in place. He noted that Vernon Hills has 27 devices, Wheeling nine, Deerfield four, and Riverwoods two. Arlington Heights also uses ALPR, however Budds says, “their deployment is focused on areas which do not border Buffalo Grove. Buffalo Grove chose the specific locations with the knowledge of existing devices in other jurisdictions, traffic flow and borders. Unincorporated areas of Lake County are surrounded by municipalities, which utilized LPR, an effort was made to establish a robust network without redundancy. The number of cameras was reduced because of the existence of LPRs (License Plate Readers) in neighboring jurisdictions.”
The units are manufactured by Atlanta-based Flock Safety Technology which, Budds noted in his memo, and “helps lower crime rates for neighborhoods, businesses, and police departments in 1,200 cities with more than 5000 cameras operational across the nation.“ Budds says this is possible “By virtue of identifying and arresting people responsible for committing criminal acts prohibiting those same alleged offenders from continuing to victimize others, resulting in a reduction in overall crime.
“Education may also be a factor, just as speed enforcement helps reduce traffic violations, the knowledge of LPR cameras is expected to have a similar impact.”
Some groups, however, have raised questions about their use. A 2020 report by the non-profit Brennan Center for Justice questioned the constitutionality of ALPR use, saying “…with the growing use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), police can now receive alerts about a car’s movements in real time and review past movements at the touch of a button. ALPRs could prove valuable in police investigations and for non–law enforcement uses like helping government agencies to reduce traffic and curb environmental pollution. But legal and policy developments have failed to adequately address the risks posed by this highly invasive technology.” The full report can be found here.
If the proposal is approved, Budds indicated that “staff expects the permitting process to begin during the second quarter of this year, and installation of the new devices to be completed during the end of the third quarter or beginning of the fourth (quarter).”
The cost of the project is part of the 2024 capital improvement budget.
Arlington Heights Road construction set to begin
Much as the swallows return to Capistrano and buzzards return to Hinckley, road construction begins. A major project in the village is the rebuilding of a 1.9-mile section of Arlington Heights Road from Ill. Rt. 83 to Lake-Cook Road.
While some work, specifically removal of trees from the median, has begun, the project should kick into high gear in the near future. According to reporting in the Daily Herald, “About 26,000 vehicles per day use the five-lane road, which has two travel lanes in each direction. The new surface will provide a smoother, quieter ride, according to LCDOT.” The report is here.
Free spring break activities
The Raupp Museum will be open and hosting special walk-in crafts every afternoon from 1 - 3:30 p.m. during spring break, March 25 – 29. Students do not need to register and just stop by to learn something new, try something fun, and get hands-on with history. Children must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. For more information, contact Debbie Fandrei at 847-850-2148.
The Raupp Museum is located at 901 Dunham Ln.
Rohrman razed
Library collecting formal wear
The Vernon Area Public Library is accepting donations of lightly worn formal dresses and dress shoes through March 24 to support the Mothers Trust Foundation Pop Up Prom Shop. Additional information is available here.
Top cop picked
Buffalo Grove police Investigator Crystal Dibble has been named the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove’s Officer of the Year Award.
According to the Daily Herald, The annual honor is awarded to an officer who has displayed a strong work ethic, integrity and commitment to the residents of the village. Full details are here.
Student voices
A “Band-tastic Night”
Musicians from Stevenson and Mundelein High School teamed up for two days of outstanding music? How good was it? Stevenson Statesman staff reporter, Siya Patel, has this report in the Statesman about the combined concert.
Need a Reason to Celebrate?
March 18
March 19
National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20
March 21
March 22
Talk Like William Shakespeare Day
March 23
March 24
National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day
March 25
March 26
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And so you know…
Buffalo Grove News and Info, is independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. Buffalo Grove News and Information is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club.
