They continue to serve and protect...and probably laugh a little

So many reports, so little time.  Buffalo Grove police respond to calls involving lost animals, naked couples, missing stoves and more.  They serve and protect.  How they do it without laughing is amazing.

System failure? A resident called about a missing computer.  Police checked area.  The computer was found -- on a dark table in the room she had left it in.

Hello, Luca Brasi? Police were called to a grocery store about a customer who was talking loudly with profanities because he wanted to know who was in charge of the fish.

What’s love got to do with it? Police were called about a man pulling a woman's hair while in a car.  Police said the couple was in "good spirits" and that the man was touching the female in a "flirtatious manner" and that the person who called mistook their "playfulness" for dismay.  The end of the report noted “nothing further"

Be careful who you meet online.  Police were called about a suspicious person.  It turned out to be a man waiting outside because a girl he met online was inside changing and did not want the man to meet her parents.   She confirmed the story.

Cat on the loose.  Police responded to the call about a stray cat.  When officers brought it back to the police department, it fled.

But was the battery really dead?  Police had a complaint about a car blocking a lane of a street.  Owner said battery died and he was going to have it moved.   Upon investigation police noticed a box of condoms on the front seat and three "apparently used condoms" a short distance from the vehicle.

Beats a Fiddler on the Roof -- Police responded to a report of a naked male on a roof.  When they got there they did not see anyone.  Complainant insisted the man was there.  Police called for BGFD, which sent a ladder truck.  Upon further investigation, police and fire fighters found both the man --- and a woman -- both naked -- on the roof.  Police reports say once the couple was on the ground they admitted to making a "bad choice". 

Icy reception -- Resident said tree trimming crew waved an icicle in his face. They said he was complaining about the noise from their equipment and started using profanities.

Really?  Why?  Resident brought in 29 license plates to the police department to be destroyed.

Suspects narrowed down.  A resident reported a “viscous" fluid on her windshield.  Not sure if it was because her daughter attracts "the wrong element from Elgin" or if it was because she would not let a repair man use her outlet for repairs at a neighbor's house.

Rubbed the wrong way. Two masseuses call saying they were being held against their will.  Hired to give messages.  They and two customers had beer, massages lasted five minutes, not the full time promise.  Customers were mad and yelling.  Two masseuses said they were not prostitutes.

Shouldn’t he have done this ahead of time? Police received a report of a suspicious vehicle. It turned out to be a guy who had just purchased a Porche and was learning to drive stick shift.

There’s a shot and a... - Police were called by a resident after a window was broken.  Turned out   neighbors kid was playing hockey when his shot went wide, went flying and broke the neighbor's window.  So we lose a puck and gain and new window.

The keyword may be intelligence. Police received a report of a resident making noise. The resident told police he was excited about his new job with the CIA.

Sealed with a kiss?  A resident called police because he thinks the cost for seal coating his driveway was too high.  Hint – there’s a way to avoid this -- get an estimate ahead of time.

A dastardly situation.  Police were called because someone was playing soccer on the basketball court.

Is this ‘fare’? A cab driver called police to help him get passenger out of back seat where he feel asleep

Want to bet she is not in their rewards program.  A 26 year old palatine woman checked into a Buffalo Grove hotel.  She went to her room, but the hotel staff soon found out her credit card was declined.  The manager went to tell her, but to his dismay, no one answered.  The saga continues – the manager tried to use his pass key, only to find the door latched.  But wait, there’s more.  The manager detected the smell of cannibals. The manager called police who found the same thing. The difference was they cut the latch. The guest woke up claiming she did not hear the attempts (to no surprise).  She was advised of the situation and told to leave.  Which she did. 

Nice try.  Resident called police about a neighbor speeding. Neighbor told police the car was rented, and is so loud; it appears to be going faster than it is.  Really.

But was her wearing a helmet? A resident called police to report a man who was riding his bike and pulling up his shorts in a manner that "may have exposed his private parts".  The caller was concerned because of the man's proximity to a school.  He did not provide details about the private parts.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.  Resident just wanted this documented: He told police signed up on an online dating site.  Exchanged "questionable” photos with an apparent female.  She then said she was 16.  Next came a text from someone who said he was the girl’s father. Oh, he wanted $700.  Girls profile suddenly vanished.

Did they check Woodstock? A dog named Snoopy was reported missing.

Where’s the Maytag man when we need him?  A resident called police to report that over the past two years he has found laundry lint in his bushes and on her porch.

And he’s the only one? A resident called to complain about the large number of robo calls.

Check references next time.  Police were called because an employee at a local restaurant was caught stealing during her first five days on the job.

Wonder if this ‘Bugs’ police?  Police were called to a residence because of a stray rabbit. Report says it may be someone's pet because it did not run away.  Rabbit was brought to the police station.  Seriously.

Forget Sweetest Day.   A resident met with police after he complained that his ex-girlfriend kept calling him.  Seems as though she wanted closure after their six-month relationship. It ended after he was arrested for domestic battery. 

Seriously? Police were called to a restaurant due to a fight caused by request for hash browns, 

Maybe the price was too high?  A woman called police because she was planning to show a condo for sale, but there appeared to be the odor of cannabis in the common hallway. 

Not home on the range -- Police are investigating a burglary in which a stove was removed.  The home was vacant at the time.  Police speculate the burglars came in through garage, backed a truck up and loaded stove.

And finally, this has to be a first.  A guy was accused of driving off without paying for his gas. When police contacted him he said it was a mistake and drove back from Woodridge to pay for the $45 worth of gas.

Civics: A hot topic that gets a cold reception

The recent passage of HB 4025, which mandates a civics education course for all high school students, has helped make civics education a hot topic in some circles.

                But not in Buffalo Grove where it’s old news.  Very old news.

                As evidenced by the recent civics forum, an annual event for high school students at Buffalo Grove and Stevenson High Schools, civics education is alive and well in the village.

                The forum, spearheaded by longtime Village Clerk Janet Sirabian, give students the opportunity to research and present both sides of an issue and present their case to the Village Board.

                This year’s topic addressed raising the legal age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21.  Students, as they have during past civics forum, demonstrated excellent research and presentation skills.  Several Village Board members even noted the performance, calling this year’s forum was among the best.

                And this is something which is both encouraging and important. That’s because, as Sirabian noted in her opening remarks, the Forum gives students a chance to experience the civic process, which can make a difference.

                Despite the uniqueness of the program and the opportunities it gives students from both schools, something was missing.

                It was not student energy.

                It was not the need.

                It was not the dedication of the village, especially Sirabian.

                It was overall interest.

                Apparently some residents and some area media outlets think the idea of area high school students engaging the civic process is either uninteresting or not on the list of things worth spending time on.  An online search yielded only one media reference to this year’s forum and maybe two for last year’s.

                But with reporters getting stretched to the limit and more and more media outlets going regional than local, it’s somewhat understandable.  Not acceptable, mind you, but understandable.

                That does not, however explain the pitiful turnout to see the students present the skills needed for an effective civic process. You would think that the Council Chambers would be packed with proud parents.

                You would think that would be the case, right?

                Think again.

                Hardly.  In fact, in checking with some folks who were at the Forum, they said there was only one parent present.

                So what does this tell you?

                It could tell you that the timing of the Civics Forum is just too inconvenient for parents. Unlikely.

                It could tell you that there just isn’t that much “glory” in a civics forum as there may be in, say, a soccer game or football game.

                Nearly 20 students participated in the Forum, so for the sake of argument, the potential was there for 40 parents to attend.  Granted, not all parents can attend, but still, only one parent was able to attend the Forum?

                Do parents think that the civic responsibility is just something high school students need to learn and not practice?  Too bad if they think that way because without fail, there will be some “pressing issue” that will impact them and they’ll want to storm the Bastille without a clue as to how the profess works.

                Granted, student presentations may not as exciting as a dominant defense, award-winning cheerleading formations; but it the challenges facing the student participants in the Civics Forum are no less taxing than those facing a football player, cheerleader, soccer leader, or thespian. That’s not to diminish the efforts of any student in any activity.

                But practicing civic responsibility carries with it something more than a lot of other student activities do. First of all, it requires use of cognitive skills. While it’s not quantifiable student achievement, like allegedly found in standardized tests, it’s an excellent demonstration of pedagogy. 

                Second, the Forum stimulated intergenerational interaction.  In addition to presenting the pros and cons of lowering the age for purchasing tobacco products, they fielded questions from members of the Village Board. This is a challenge for anyone, let alone high school students, most of whom, if not all, were attending their first Village Board meeting. Questions by Board Members were genuine and not gratuitous in an effort to make the students feel important, which is the way it should be because this is how the civics process works.

                The students understood that.

                Their teachers understood that.

                The Village Board and village staff understood that.

                But it seems as though most of the parents did not understand that.

                Maybe HB4025 came up short.  Maybe it should have done more than mandate a semester-long civics course for high school students.

                Maybe it should have mandated an adult education course.