Thefts keep cops busy in August
Buffalo Grove Police reported 135 incidents during August. During that time, police report 10 thefts, three reports of disorderly conduct, six DUIs, two reports of criminal damage to property, and 99 incidents classified as “local code” which included three dog bites, one report of a missing license plate, three reports of missing articles, three complaints of stray dogs and one report of neighborhood trouble.
Recent activity according to the Department’s online weekly blotter includes
** Armed robbery -- Seven masked/gloved subjects entered the Ricky Rockets gas station, 700 E. Lake-Cook Rd., just after 4:00 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18 with sledgehammers and smashed several gaming machines, successfully taking the money box from one. The employees were left unharmed. The investigation is ongoing.
** Major theft -- A theft of more than $4,000 of “300 cosmetics and other items” taken from the Walgreens at 1225 W. Dundee Rd.
** Refrigeration disconnected -- The disconnection of the propane tanks and generator used to power refrigeration units at a facility in the 900 block of McHenry Road. The action resulted in $280 worth of food spoiling.
** Business burgled -- A burglary at a business in the 1200 block of McHenry Rd. Police declined to list what was taken and the value of the stolen merchandise.
** Bike swiped -- A motorized bicycle valued at $550 was taken from a facility in the 900 block of McHenry Road.
** That’s a crock -- The theft of a package containing a slow cooker with a value of $144. It was reportedly taken from the lobby of a building in the Villa Verde condominium complex.
** What was she thinking? A 23-year-old Lincolnshire woman was charged with Criminal Damage to Property after a 4 a.m. visit to 46 Raupp Blvd. , which probably wasn’t a good idea. 46 Raupp Blvd. is the Buffalo Grove Police Department.
In Other Community News
Vandalism plagues Park District
The Buffalo Grove Park District is continuing to offer a $1,000 cash reward for the arrest and conviction of individuals who vandalize Park District property.
The program was announced Aug. 14 according to Mike Terson, superintendent of Communications and Marketing.
According to the Park District, the vandalism has resulted in damage to basketball, pickleball, and tennis court surfaces caused by e-bikes in multiple parks.
The latest incident, according to reporting in the Daily Herald occurred Sept. 16 when a swastika was found in Reiner Park, 1101 Green Knolls Dr. The Herald’s report says the symbol was apparently done by a spinning e-bike.
A Park District ordinance prohibits any e-bikes and e-scooters on any park playground or amenity. Class 1 e-bikes and e-scooters are only allowed on pathways, and Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are completely prohibited.
Terson says the Park District is “exploring the possibility and costs of adding cameras in parks. We are also going to be doing a postcard mailing to the community to increase awareness of the issue.”
Persons observing vandalism are urged to contact Buffalo Grove Police by calling 911.
Annual Civics Forum Monday night
The village will host its annual Civics Forum at 7 p.m. Monday at Village Hall, 50 Raupp Blvd. Students from Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High Schools will assume the roles of village staff and Village Board and will review proposals from various departments.
Students will approve a proposal.
The Forum began in the early 1990s under the coordination of Village Clerk Jan Sirabian.
In a related piece, Buffalo Grove Report editor and coordinator Stan Zoller shares some thoughts about civic engagement. It can be found here.
New village hall, cop shop a step closer
Citing an aging facility that’s in need of repairs, Buffalo Grove trustees during a special meeting Sept. 14 voiced strong support for a new village hall, police station complex at 1100 Lake-Cook Rd.
The project, announced in December of 2025, would entail the purchase of the 8.3-acre site for the property and the 96,731-square-foot building. Details of the project are available on the village’s web site at this link.
The cost does not include renovations to the building that is estimated at $52 million.
The board heard details about the plans for the building by consultants Marc Rogers of CCS International Inc. and Jason Estes of FGM Architects who told the Board that the extensive due diligence review found the building to be in good shape.
In addition to village offices and the police department, tentative plans call for two 10,000-square-foot spaces; one for public meeting space which would include Council chambers and another that would be space for the Indian Trails Public Library. Details about how that space would be used were speculative as there is not a formal agreement between the village and the Library District.
The consensus of the Board is the current Village Hall, built in 1970, is “woefully inadequate” and costs to renovate it are prohibitive.
Trustee David Weidenfeld remains the lone objector to the project, not because of need, but because of the timing of the expenditure.
He was joined in his objections by two residents who said the village has not been transparent in revealing the plans for the project.
Resident Craig Horowitz said the building is “just wrong” and is unneeded. He said he only learned about the project from an article in the village’s newsletter sent by mail to residents. He also questioned the reasoning behind a 5 p.m. meeting about the project on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
While no date for approval has been determined, speculation is it could come in the next month or two.
Coverage by the Daily Herald is available here.
New fire station in operation
Buffalo Grove’s Fire Station No. 25 is back in service. The 50-year-old station was gutted and replaced with what the Daily Herald says “isn’t your father’s or your grandfather’s fire station.” Their coverage details the new state-of-the-art fire station at this site.
Bragg extended
The Village will be under the direction of Village Manager Dane Bragg for five more years. The Village Board extended Bragg’s contract at the Sept. 14 meeting. The Daily Herald filed details in this report.
Holiday enforcement nets 74
The Buffalo Grove Police Department successfully conducted an impaired driving enforcement effort over Labor Day weekend, resulting in 43 seat belt citations being issued, with 11 occurring during nighttime hours. Other traffic violations resulted in the issuance of 31 citations.
The effort was funded by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Sukkah social Sept. 28
The Chabads of Northbrook, Wheeling and Buffalo Grove are sponsoring a “Sukkah Social” for young Jewish professionals at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheeling Town Center. Details are here.
View Point
Engagement or enragement?
Public comments at Board Meetings, posting on social media and the upcoming Civics Forum have a commonality. The need for effective civic engagement. Buffalo Grove Report editor and coordinator has some thoughts in his Gaggin’ in the Grove blog, found here.
Looking for a Reason to Celebrate?
** It’s Ontario Garlic Week
** It’s Migraine Awareness Week
** Sept. 26 is National Bunny Day
** Sept. 27 is National Chocolate Milk Day
** Sept. 28 is Ask a Stupid Question Day
** Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day
** Sept. 30 is National Love People Day
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· If you didn’t know -- The Buffalo Grove Report (Buffalo Grove News and Info), is locally and 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. The Buffalo Grove Report is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club.
