Fighting Crime Before It Becomes a Problem
Emotions were running high last month during an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting in which the trustees voted 4-2 to eliminate three positions from the fire department.
The four-hour meeting included a little bit of everything as fire department personnel pleaded their case before the board. Only trustees Jerry Hurckes (1st) and Steve Rosenbaum (4th) voted against the firings.
The bottom line, according to Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann, is that budget restraints have made this necessary, although no one wanted to see this option.
But Heilmann then made the case that although the fire department does an admirable job, he and other members of the board have to look toward the future. If fires were breaking out repeatedly and were becoming a major problem in Oak Lawn, the board would have come to another conclusion before announcing the dismissals.
The mayor then offered another thought on the situation. Heilmann related that after finishing a meal with his family at a popular local restaurant, he noticed something that unnerved him. He said that he saw a group of males gathering in a nearby area who were flashing gang signs. The mayor said he was stunned at what he saw and became immediately concerned.
He informed residents who jammed the village board meeting that this could be a problem in the near future. A rash of bank robberies last year cannot be denied, and Heilmann has a point. The mayor’s point is that he needs to look at what is necessary to keep Oak Lawn a prosperous and safe village that families want to remain in.
That is why, with respect to the Oak Lawn Fire Department, an increase in police department personnel is more of a priority.
Is crime becoming more of a problem in Oak Lawn? From our standpoint, we can’t see that much difference over the years. However, the rash of bank robberies is alarming. But this is a trend that is occurring in other suburban communities and Chicago.
The Oak Lawn Village Board is adamant in focusing on preventing crime. The topic of crime has been discussed at previous village board meetings and what has to be done. Reports of an increase of disturbances at a local bowling alley has been looked into.
In this edition of the News-Herald, a story will focus on the D-Lux Motel, 4811 Columbus Drive, which village board members would like to see shuttered. The village points to what they say is a series of disturbances at the motel, including a case of a 14-year-old minor being abused by an adult. The village has also said the motel is guilty of fire code violations and has a series of drug arrests.
The owners of the motel deny the accusations and are fighting to remain open. But the current board appears serious about curbing any areas where crime could fester.
The owners of the D-Lux Motel should have their say. It is up to the village board to make their case. However, regardless of the outcome on this matter, we would prefer that the board take a proactive approach to thwarting possible crime, unless it infringes on someone’s rights.
Heilmann, a longtime resident of Oak Lawn, had a moment that shook him. Crime does not happen overnight, but it can sneak up on us like an unwelcome visitor. The message here is that Oak Lawn can’t afford to look away.