Showing posts with label Buffalo Grove Police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buffalo Grove Police. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Lights, cameras and common sense may help curtail burglaries

 

Well, it’s been a while. Time to dust off the keyboard.

            A couple of weeks ago a resident called me asking for more information about a burglary in his neighborhood after reading it in my news blog, B.G.N.I. Items from police reports are a regular part of the blog.

            That week seemed to be particularly difficult for homeowners as there were reports of three residential burglaries.

            In weeks since then, there have been several other residential burglaries. Investigators are often at a loss as to what leads to a rash of burglaries, but the crime prevention folks say that homeowners can take some steps in an effort to help decrease the possibility of a home break-in.

            The PD has a list of 16 tips to help prevent residential burglaries.

            Some are obvious. For example, make sure your doors and windows are locked. While it seems amazingly basic, it’s not unusual to see reports for home burglaries where the homeowner was only gone for a couple of hours. While reports don’t go into intricate detail as burglaries are generally tagged as being under investigation, there’s a good chance a homeowner may have thought that since they were making a “quick trip,” there was no need to lock all of the doors.

            It’s also a good idea to keep your garage door closed and locked. And while we’re talking about the garage, make sure, if you have an attached garage, that the door leading into the house from the garage is also locked.

            Yes, you want to lock your windows and close the curtain, shades, blinds or whatever you have in your windows. It’s sort of an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach.

            You may also want to take a cue from Genesis: Let there be lights. A lot of them. The installation of lamp timers in various rooms help give your home a “lived-in” look. I have a friend who scoffs at this and never leaves lights on when he and his family travel. Think burglars don’t case out neighborhoods? Think again. Don’t forget to install outside lights that can be activated by timers or motion detectors. It’s a simple step that may help deter a crime.

            You may want to consider installing security cameras inside and outside your house. Crime prevention officers say video cameras can play a key role in not only investigating home burglaries, but preventing them.

            In addition to offering “at-home” prevention tips, the BGPD also has tips to protect your home while you are traveling.

            Some are obvious – for example, stop delivery of your newspapers (if you still get them), stop the mail and make sure the grass is cut while you’re gone, or if you are traveling during the winter, make sure you have a snow removal service.

            There are some others that may make you laugh.

            For example, don’t (and as columnist Dave Barry would write -- “and I am not making this up”) leave a note that you are out of town and that deliveries can be left with a neighbor. Seriously. Do people really think the only people who will notice the note are wonderful, law-abiding souls?

            But the best tip is one that makes a lot of sense, or at least it should. Don’t post photos on social media while you’re on vacation. Nothing screams “hey look, we’re not home” as a photo of you having a great time drinking foo-foo drinks in Fiji.

            Breaking news – burglars scour social media.

            Not all burglars break in – some are let into a home.  In last week’s police reports a home was burgled when a man posing as a ComEd employee convinced the homeowner to check things outside. You know what happened, right?  When the resident went outside, at least one other person went in and ransacked the house. Employees for reputable companies like ComEd, NICOR, Comcast, have official and verifiable identification cards. A good rule of thumb may be “When in doubt, keep them out.”

            Want more prevention tips? Contact the Crime Prevention Unit at the Police Department by calling (847) 459-2560.

            In the meantime, as Sgt. Esterhaus would say, “Let’s be careful out there.”

Thursday, July 18, 2019

No more 'phoney' excuses -- just keep your hands off


As June morphed into July, much of the talk and banter on social media has focused on new laws, new taxes and, of course, Chance the Clapper.

            Of particular interest, especially in Buffalo Grove-themed groups on social media, has been the enforcement by the Buffalo Grove Police Department of the change in the Illinois law that make using wireless devices while driving a moving violation.
            At issue, as much as there can be issues on social media, was the level of enforcement. However, the reality, however, is the law hasn’t changed, just the consequences.
            And with any change comes a plethora of interpretations, mostly by drivers who take seemingly take offense on social media to enforcement by the Buffalo Grove police.
            The law, and now the enhanced enforcement, are pretty clear as to what drivers can – and cannot – do with their wireless devices while driving.
            Rather than rely on social media posts, I checked with Sgt. Michelle Kondrat, who coordinates the Traffic Unit for the Buffalo Grove Police Department because, my guess was, that she would probably have more accurate information than some folks on social media. Again, it was just a hunch.
            According to Kondrat, the key is that a wireless device should not be in your hand.
            Period.
And this, Kondrat says, applies to when you are stopped at a stoplight as well.
Not in your hand.
No en tu mano.
не в твоих руках.
Aapake haath mein nahin.
Bùzài nǐ shǒuzhōng.


            But as sure as the sparrows come back to Capistrano and the buzzards to Hinckley, someone will try and find a loophole best known as an excuse.
            There aren’t any.
            What do exist are a few exceptions.  For example, if you are at a railroad crossing waiting for a train for an extended period of time, you can manipulate your device. However, according to Kondrat, your vehicle needs to be in park or neutral.  The same holds true where traffic is stopped for an extended period of time due to construction. Slow traffic in a construction zone is not a time to grab your cell phone.
            It is acceptable, although many people may not think advisable, to make adjustments to equipment that Kondrat says “integrated into the vehicle” or even in a windshield or dashboard mount.
            So, what results in a motorist getting pulled over? “Most of the contacts are the result of the vehicle moving with phone in driver’s hand,” Kondrat says.
            Still not sure?  Check out the  law as approved by the state legislature.
            It’s not a new law, just new penalties.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Thefts from vehicles continue to plague village


Buffalo Grove Police are investigating eight thefts from vehicles which, according to police reports, occurred in the past week.

According to reports, in each case vehicles were left unlocked and valuables, including car keys, wallets and cash, were left in the vehicle.  In one case, the vehicle was stolen, but was located in the  8800 block of south Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

In a statement issued through a village news release, Police Chief Steven Casstevens urged residents to be proactive in preventing thefts from vehicles. "We cannot stress enough, the importance of simply locking your vehicle," Casstevens said." Locking your doors is the most effective deterrent. Police are also investigating thefts from garages that were left open and unattended.

Police have arrested and charged a Waukegan man with four counts of criminal trespass to a vehicle Sept. 1 after a he allegedly stole items, mostly loose change, from unlocked cars.  The 43-year-old man, told police he was homeless and was merely looking for loose change. He is scheduled to appear in Cook County Court in Rolling Meadows Oct. 12.

Village Board meets Monday


The Buffalo Grove Village Board meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday for its regular monthly meeting. A complete agenda and agenda packet can be found at Sept. 17 Village Board meeting information.

SWANCC electronics, document shredding event this Saturday


The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC) is hosting a one-day Electronics Recycling and Document Destruction event on Saturday, September 15, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. until noon in the Banner Plumbing parking lot, 151 Hastings Road in Buffalo Grove. Residents who live in any SWANCC member community can drop off items to be recycled. IDs will be checked for verification of residency. For more information about the event and items accepted, Click here

Aptakisic Road closed Sept. 21 - 28


Aptakisic Road will be closed between Weiland Road and Bond Street from Sept. 21 through Friday, Sept. 28 for work on the CN/Wisconsin Central railroad crossing. The work includes repairs of the railroad crossing and will include a future sidewalk crossing on the south side of Aptakisic Road - to be completed with the upcoming Weiland Road Project.

Fire Department open house Sept. 22


The 23rd annual Buffalo Grove Fire Department Open House is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Fire Department Headquarters Station, 1051 Highland Grove Drive.

This family-friendly event will include vehicle extrication, side-by-side sprinkler burn unit demonstrations, hands-on fire extinguisher training, a junior firefighter challenge including a fire pole, equipment displays, puppet show, an appearance by the Flight for Life helicopter and more. Free hot dogs and chips will be served. For more information view the Fire Department Open House flyer or contact the Fire Department Public Education Division at 847-777-6110.

Upcoming Wireless Emergency Alert Nationwide Test


The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will be conducting the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) test alert to all cell phone users at 1:18 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20.

The WEA system is used to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other critical situations through alerts sent to cell phones. The WEA test message will have a header that reads "Presidential Alert" and a text that says: "THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed." The national test will use the same special tone and vibration as with all WEA messages (e.g. tornado warning, AMBER alerts). Users cannot opt out of the test or system.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Park District accepting applications for board post



The Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners is
accepting applications from residents of the Park District to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Jack Schmerer. The individual selected will serve as Park District Commissioner until the middle of the term at the annual meeting in May 2019. The remaining two years of the term will be open during the April 2019 consolidated election. Residents interested in applying, should contact Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger at (847) 850-2122. Applications are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14. Applications can be found on the Board of Commissioners page of the Park District website, www.bgpark.org

Partial Old McHenry Road closure begins Monday

The Lake County Division of Transportation will partially close Old McHenry Road in Long Grove for roadwork starting Monday, Sept. 10, . Old McHenry Road is scheduled to reopen to all traffic in November . Commuters are encouraged to use the following detour route: Route 22 to Route 83 to Route 53. Additional route information can be found on the detour map at this site: Detour map

Special Olympics plane pull  Sept. 22 at O'Hare Airport

Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Casstevens was recently interviewed on Fox 32 Chicago about the annual Plane Pull fundraiser which benefits the Special Olympics of Illinois. The Police Department will take part in the Plane Pull event. For those who would like to participate in the Plane Pull, there are 20 people per team, and it will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at O'Hare Airport.  For more information and to register, click here

Garden Club to feature Mike Nowak

The Buffalo Grove Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive in Buffalo Grove. On Tuesday, Sept. 11, guest speaker Mike Nowak will present, "That Ain't No Way to Treat a Tree." Nowak is a master gardener and Openlands TreeKeeper, and has shared his expertise about gardening, the environment and green living on radio, TV and in Chicagoland Gardening Magazine. The horticulture talk will be about Daffodils 1, 2 and 3. The Flower Guild will collect gently used books (birth - grade 6) for Bernie's Book Bank in Lake Bluff. Click this link for more information about the Buffalo Grove Garden Club and upcoming events, go to this link: Buffalo Grove Garden Club.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

They serve, protect..and probably laugh at times

Can you hear it now? Most traffic stops don’t grab my attention, but when someone is going 40 miles over the limit, you notice. A 23-year-old man from Crystal Lake fits the bill. When police ask him if knew why he was stopped, he responded, “because you heard my motor”  When you’re going 89 in a 40 zone, that calls attention to you. Along with 2.9 grams of cannabis.
            We serve and protect -- but not negotiate.  A resident called police about the cost of his moving bill and wanted police to negotiate a lower price.  At least he didn’t ask them to help him unpack.
            Shattered glass…A woman called police to report a mirror in the lobby of a condo building had fallen and shattered. It was estimated that the mirror, and three others like it, have (or in this case had) been in the walls for around 40 years and may need to be checked for stability.
            Animal stories – According to police, some skunks were removed by a "less lethal" shot gun. Police were alerted to  a piece of playground equipment damaged by a dog chewing on it
            Well, they looked the same. Police were contacted by a resident who found between 15 and 20 printers in the dumpster behind his business. Police checked, using serial numbers, and did not find any reports of them being stolen.  Police speculate they were intended for the recycling firm -- which is across the street.
            What's wrong with computer dating -- a woman contacted police to file a report for "informational purposes."  The woman told police she had recently signed up with “OKCupid" -- an online dating service, ad that she received a message from a man and after a few days of exchanging messages, he told her he was stationed in Afghanistan, had injured his leg and that his captain had been killed a few days before. He also stated, police reports say, that he found a suitcase with $100 million  and he wanted to send it to her by way of private carrier.  He requested her phone, address and DOB.  She thought it was odd and asked her two college-age daughters, who agreed, calling the situation "Unbelievable". But wait, there’s more.  It was determined to be the beginning of a scam.  The woman was going to delete her account with OKCupid and let them know. Sounds like a good idea.
            Something fishy.  Resident reported a plastic dolphin was pried off his mailbox. The Mailbox was cracked.  No report about the Dolphin.
            Animal stories, Part deux: Two baby foxes were found in window well. Police speculate the mother escaped. Were they outfoxed?
            Rosemary Woods, we hardly knew ye – Police were summoned to meeting because of alleged eavesdropping.
            According to police reports, a man called police because during a meeting he noticed a “suspect” recording the meeting on his smart phone. The man said the other did not have permission to record the meeting, left the room and called police. The suspect said he was recording it because his wife could not attend the meeting. Officers explained the eavesdropping law and both parties left the meeting without incident.
            Try LinkedIn – Police were called to a local business because of a man who had stopped by three to four times over the last few weeks, yelling in Russian and demanding a job.  The man eventually stopped by the police department to file a complaint against the business and that he was going to write negative reviews about the company on Facebook. Officials at the company said they had never done work for him.
            Wait, seriously? – A man related that a girl, he knows only as Amy, broke his porcelain butter dish lid by throwing it on the floor for no apparent reason. The man only wanted this incident documented and did not want to sign a complaint or have the police department follow up.  Amy left before police arrived.  No word on how Amy got in the house or why.
            Better call Maaco – A man complained to police that someone tried to pry the Infinity emblem from the rear trunk lid of his vehicle.
            Just what was she expecting? A woman called police to complain that an attendant at a local gas station short-changed her husband who bought four gallons of gas and chips and paid with a $50 bill.  The clerk reportedly gave man $34 in change, but he came back with $11 in change. She claims it was because her husband was intoxicated. But wait, was he driving?
            Better call Maaco, Part deux– A resident reported to Police that the emblem of his Toyota Prius was pried off.
            And the BG police are to do what? A man complained to police because an employee for his trucking company dropped off a load in Alabama and requested a couple of days off before returning. The truck’s GPS located the truck in Brundidge, Alabama.  Buffalo Grove Police told the man that the employee has not done anything criminal at this point.
            Game. Set. Mismatch?  Police were summoned to a local park about a heated dispute.  Turns out, according to police reports, that the discussion was about proper tennis court etiquette for players waiting to us the court next. It’s called racking up. But let’s not go there.
            Line of the week:  The resident laid on the horn and the SUV’s passenger presented her with a middle finger multiple times.  Translation:  She flipped her off.
            Rightfully So.  An 18-year-old Buffalo Grove man told police he was “scared” during a traffic stop.  Org9inally stopped for doing  63 in a  45-mph zone, police officers, with the aid of the BGPD’s canine unit, found  82.3 grams of cannabis, which was located in various places in the car. The man was charged with possession of cannabis (30-100 grams) intent deliver cannabis (30-500 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and speeding.
            Missing A resident reported that her Italian decorative ceramic watering can was missing. She suspects the landscaping firm.
            No Bull  Police were summoned to a business on Milwaukee Avenue as six cans of Red Bull were reported missing.
            New scam  -- Police were contacted  by a resident who said they received a call from someone who said they were from Comcast and that there were problems with the resident’s computer as there appeared to be illegal files being uploaded. The resident gave access to the caller who then showed the resident pornographic files which had allegedly been uploaded. The caller demanded $500 in gift cards and also locked the resident’s computer.
            Holy fire – Police were contacted by the dispatch service about a call made by a Mongolian to English language translator.  The translator stated his friend lives on Satinwood Terrace and believes he left a candle burning in his residence. Police were given the access code to the garage and entered the residence where they “…located a shrine type display that had real candles that had been extinguished and battery-operated candles that were illuminated. The responding officer kept the electric ones on and checked for any burning candles. None were found.
And finally…
This One Defies logic:  Two delivery personnel stopped by the police department to discuss a rather unusual delivery. The two men said they were called to a customer in Buffalo Grove to fix an issue he was having with his mattress.  The two said the fixed the issue the proceeded to follow the customer to a different room for an issue with another mattress. The customer reportedly told the two delivery men to stay in that room.  The customer came back and stood in the doorway in red underwear with an “adult item” sticking out. The customer touched one of the delivery men on the shoulder and stated, “it’s like an eclipse, I’ve done this to other people before, [its] name is Mr. Happy.”  The delivery men said they were shocked at what happened.  They exited the house and were followed by the customer to their truck. No report if the customer was wearing only wearing his underwear.
But wait, there’s more.
Police went to the customer’s house and spoke with him.  Prior to answering the door police report they observed the customer take off his shirt and shorts.  He answered the door wearing red underwear.  The customer moved away from the doorway and put on shorts and a shirt after his greeting.  He asked if his neighbors called on him again. I related that we were called by the mattress company regarding his odd behavior during the service call. He denied any issues during the service call but did confirm that the sleep number employees were at his house earlier to fix his bed’s cooling system.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

News you can use....



Buffalo Grove Park District Hosts Flag Day Ceremony June 14


                      The Buffalo Grove Park District will celebrate Flag Day on Thursday, at Veterans Park, located at 1300 N. Weiland Road in Buffalo Grove.

                        The Buffalo Grove Fire Department's Honor Guard will present the Colors; and the speaker will be Officer Matthew Mills from the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

                        Music performed by the 85th Army Band's Woodwind Quintet and changing the flags will also be part of this program.

                        There will be free hot dogs beginning at 4:45 p.m, with the program beginning at 5:30 p.m. There is no rain date for this event.

                        Please visit the Buffalo Grove Park District website here for additional information.

Cops have a holiday suggestion: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 

            Buffalo Grove police are taking part in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign during the upcoming holiday period, between June 25-July 8, as part of an enhanced enforcement of Illinois drunken driving laws

   "It’s essential that our community members understand the safety and financial risks they take when they drink and drive,” said Buffalo Grove Police Department Sergeant Michelle Kondrat. “Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after you’ve been drinking. This endangers you, and everyone on the road with you.”

                        With holiday festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more cars will be on the roads. Nighttime is especially dangerous; the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes is more than three times higher at night than it is during the day. 

                        “This July 4th holiday period commit to only driving 100-percent sober. Don’t lose your independence on Independence Day, and don’t be a deadly risk to yourself and other innocent people on our roadways,” Kondrat said.

                        Drinking and driving is dangerous, even if you’re “just buzzed.” When you drive impaired, you risk your life and safety, and the lives and safety of those riding with you and around you. Does mortality not get your attention? Maybe the financial costs will: A DUI arrest could cost you up to $10,000, not to mention the loss of your vehicle and driver’s license. You could face jail time, higher insurance rates, and hefty expenses from attorney fees, fines, car towing, repairs, and lost time at work. Imagine trying to explain that to your family, friends, or employer.

            During the 2016 holiday period 188 people were killed in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. This is a 28-percent increase from 2015, when 146 people were killed during the same period.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Cops bowl 'em over...





Members of the Buffalo Grove Police Department joined more than a hundred children and their parents at the annual “Bowl with a Cop” event at a packed Bowlero on Wednesday.

Police Chief Steve Casstevens challenges
officer Mike Martin
The two-hour community service event gave police officers and police volunteers a chance to meet residents and to offer bowling assistance.

Bowlero provided many lanes and shoe rentals to ensure the event's success. Bowlero also offered discounts on hot dogs and soft drinks.



Chief Steve Casstevens and fire fighter Mark Anderson chat
with a young bowler.



Officer Scott Eisenmeyer with some of the kids who 
participated in "Bowl with a Cop"
Officer Mike Martin takes time between frames to chat with
some residents.
Officer Scott Eisenmeyer demonstrates his 
bowling form.





It wasn't all bowling.  Steve Casstevens 
holdsyoung Eli Hansen.  Eli's mom is 
officer Meghan Hansen.