eSkape to Wisconsin?

In a stunning announcement today, the U.S. Border patrol announced it is taking up positions along Lake-Cook, Buffalo Grove and Dundee roads to maintain sanctity in the Village of Buffalo Grove.

Of course they didn't. But if you follow the discussion at Monday's public meeting about a proposed "dance club" at eSkape in Town Center, you'd think the arrival of the border folks was imminent.

It's an interesting argument, one that has me, admittedly, on the proverbial fencepost.

I've never been in eSkape (I do see the signs, so I try to keep it in proper style) and couldn't tell you where the arena was, is, or will be. The last time I was in the building it was a grocery store.

The issue is whether the village will allow a dance club at eSkape. Opponents make it seem that such a facility will, to quote the late George Carlin, curve your spine, infect your mind and let the allies lose the war.

There are valid concerns on both sides of the argument.

The most prominent is that dance clubs, oops, let's make it teen dance clubs, attract gang members, drug dealers and other unsavory types. They might.

The unfortunate reality, however, is that any facility that caters to teens or young adults may do the same. As Robin Williams (quoting comedians must be a theme) once said in an episode of "Mork and Mindy" -- reality, what a concept.

Newsflash, young people, including those at Buffalo Grove and Stevenson high schools, are engaged in activities that would make 'yo mama cringe. And for the record, it's not unique to those schools -- the same could be true for Naperville Central, Deerfield, Lake Forest, New Trier, Glenbrook North etc. and so on.

Those towns don't have gangs? Yeah, right. Check with the Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG) and you'll find out differently.

Discussions at Monday's public hearing, which was part of the village board meeting (remember them?) was a lengthy (2-plus hours) dialogue from a wide segment of the community, including 20-plus students for BG and Stevenson High Schools who were in attendance as preparation for a civics program on Oct. 26.

Through it all, there did not to be a clear-cut persuasive argument. The pros include a place for kids to go (although the definition of kids was muddled), increased revenue for the village and a chance for a business eSkape (note the logo please), which has been around for seven years, to try an added venue to its facility.

The cons included the need for an increased, and ongoing, police presence, potential attraction of the aforementioned druggies, gang members and underage kiddies who crave an illegal drink.

Clearly, there are no answers here. The potential for drug dealing is valid -- but it's validity is not because of a dance club. Reality check, anywhere young people congregate is a spot where drugs may be available. The unfortunate reality is that there may be just as many opportunities for controlled substances to be purchased at any area high school as there could be at a dance club.

Looking at the socioeconomic make-up of the area, many of the folks are in denial -- the old not in my neighborhood and my child doesn't do that sort of thing. It's the old "the other side of the tracks" argument.

Yeah, right. It's always those types of people.

Buffalo Grove has a long history of guarding its image. Back in the 1980s I remember them drilling a corporate rep over the installation of a new sign for the now-defunct "Poppin' Fresh" restaurant.

Adding a dance club to eSkape is risky only because of the association of potential problems with young people who go clubbing. Yes, other clubs have experienced problems. I am willing to bet (oops, sorry, another sore subject in BG) that statistically, there may not be any additional problems at eSkape than there are other venues where alcohol is served.

There was some discussion about the report presented by the police department. The statistics are far from impressive. There was a shooting at a now-closed club in Schaumburg. if my memory serves me correct, there was a murder at the office complex at Lake-Cook Road and Milwaukee Ave. Does that mean the village should restrict office development? Of course not.

Other clubs have thrived. In fact, Zero Gravity has launched a marketing effort to attract students in nearby high schools by running half-page ads in school newspapers.

No doubt, there are inherent risks that are associated with any new venture. Discussion surrounding the longevity of eSkape's operation for the past seven years indicate that things have gone well.

I do, however, surround myself with young people -- high school teachers generally do. As was obvious by the 20-plus students at the Oct. 19 board meeting, some kids have their act together. Others, breaking news here folks, don't. That's life.

Would a village board turn down a license for a day care facility out of fear it would attract pedophiles? Probably not.

With a new venture looking at them square in the face, perhaps the Village Board needs to develop, and this was alluded to at the meeting, a checks-and-balances system to see, if the give the OK to the dance club, how things work out.

Drug convictions, traffic problems and other problems can be quantifiable. It's a gamble for both the village and eSkape.

But what isn't these days? Managing partner Bill Feldgreber vowed that if he does get the OK and there are problems, he would close the dance club before the village could order him to take that action.

Yes, some unsavory characters may show up at the club. They may also show up at the Jewel, or Shell station.

Then what?