Neighbors have recently expressed concern that young offenders have been committing acts of vandalism to homes and parks, and how to protect their property without facing a local ordinance charge for fighting or a more serious charge of Battery at Cook County Circuit Court Rolling Meadows. Several criminal images showing acts of harassment, trespassing or vandalism have been discovered on social media, apparently posted as bragging or entertainment by the offenders. Additionally, some images posted by the victims showing the offenders have been censored or removed by social media companies. Alternatively, a network of images have been shared privately showing offenders committing acts of harassment, trespassing and vandalism.
Criminal Damage to Property was reported around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, July 16, 2023 in the block of 600 West Park Street near Ridge Avenue just east of Pioneer Park in Arlington Heights. The victim of property damage reported a group of juveniles pounded on her garage door and caused damage. A damage estimate was not available, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
Street racing was reported about 11:00 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2023 on Fernandez Avenue near Heritage Park, 506 West Victoria Lane in Arlington Heights. The streets racers met in a group at the Heritage Park pool parking lot. One vehicle was described as a white SUV and another vehicle was described as a silver Mercedes. The same subjects are suspected of setting off high-powered fireworks which destroyed the Porta Potty at the Heritage Park location. Firefighters were dispatched at 11:05 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2023 to extinguish a fire that was apparently started by the fireworks. Police were on scene reporting a small fire.
Criminal Damage to Property was reported just before 9:00 p.m. Saturday, July 22, 2023 in the block of 500 North Dunton Avenue at a residence near the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. The victim to property damage reported a group of unknown subjects damaged the storm door, front door and door frame by repeatedly kicking at about 8:47 p.m. Saturday. The cost to repair the damage was unknown at the time of the police report, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
There have also been reports of victims of harassment, including banging on doors or ringing doorbells for no reason at other addresses in Arlington Heights. Fireworks have also been ignited on some front yards of private property. Some victims have been repeatedly harassed, and at least one victim with no known connection to offenders has been harassed for about two years. The incidents are not isolated to Arlington Heights, but have been common recently in Arlington Heights.
Interaction with offenders that elevate the interaction to physical fighting can cause residents in the act of protecting their property to be charged with a local ordinance violation for fighting, including fines. The ordinance is in Municipal Code Article V under “Other Offenses Relating to Public Peace and Welfare” Section 8-505 … “It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any assault or battery or to fighting in any public place in the Village.” In some cases parents defending their alleged vandal or trespassing children have demanded police upgrade the homeowner’s charges to Battery, which would demand an appearance in the Cook County Circuit Court in Rolling Meadows instead of an adjudication hearing at Village Hall.
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