POLICE CHIEF LAUNCHES THREE NEW PROGRAMS            

After 16 months on the job, Glenview's police chief is launching three new programs.  The first – bike patrols – began Saturday.  Four officers will spend at least part of their time on Trek mountain bikes purchased with drug seizure money.  They'll keep an eye on Gallery Park at The Glen, the forest preserves, crowded public events and other locations difficult to access with a squad car.  "We'll be going back to the way it used to be – when officers walked the beat," says Chief William Fitzpatrick.

Glenview's force of 75 officers is highly visible, he says, patrolling the village in squad cars, "but there isn't enough person-to-person contact.  People like bike patrols.  It gives them a sense of contact with the police and a sense of security."

Also set to launch is a new traffic division.  There are already two officers assigned to accident investigation and enforcing the rules of the road, but Fitzpatrick says more attention is needed not only on Glenview's main streets but in its neighborhoods.  Some time this summer, a total of four officers will be assigned to enforcing speed limits and other traffic ordinances, stopping people who are driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and keeping an eye on the most dangerous intersections.

Finally, in the wake of 9/11, Fitzpatrick says the police department needs a special division to train officers in new techniques, the use of new equipment and improved communications. All three programs will be staffed with existing officers working some overtime.  If the new divisions prove valuable, Fitzpatrick says he'll be asking for more manpower next year.

TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT TROUBLES

Glenview is hardly a hotbed of criminal activity, but the chief sees some areas for special concern. Our drug problem is significant, with alcohol, synthetic drugs like ecstacy and heroin posing an on-going challenge for police.  Fitzpatrick blames the lack of a consistent federal drug policy.


"Is it lock them away for life or rehabilitate them?" he says.  "It'll never work until they decide whether it's punishment or rehabilitation.  Every time the political structure changes, then our view of drug use and the role of prisons changes. The police department's job is enforcement, but we're concerned that the public policy be right.  Otherwise, we're just going to be doing the same thing 15 years from now."

The chief also cites a growing problem with mental illness in our midst.  "People were let out of institutions, but the support services were not there for them," he says. "Most of the homeless people who turn up in Glenview are mentally ill, and for law enforcement this is a big issue."

Finally, he worries about an increase in financial crimes by con artists who target the elderly.

Editor's note: As Fitzpatrick calls for some measure of consistency in the nation's treatment of drug offenders, Glenview continues its dual approach to the problem with high school students, expelling them for a full year if they're caught with a small amount of marijuana on campus.  The same offense in a village park results in the equivalent of a parking ticket – a $75 fine and no criminal record.                                 

A NIGHT ON THE BEAT

Glenview's police are well equipped to fight the most serious crimes.  In April, officers were issued new 40-caliber handguns with a reputation for "great stopping power and capacity." The Beretta 96D fires a powerful shot and holds a dozen bullets. 

The department's information technology is also impressive. Squad cars are packed with computers and special cameras that record images and sound each time a patrolman leaves his vehicle.  Fortunately, these tools of the trade are rarely needed.  Fitzpatrick estimates more than 85 percent of calls are for service – people with problems not related to crime.  They may be locked out of their homes or cars, have someone parked in front of their driveway or be battling noisy neighbors.  Burglar alarms also take up a significant amount of time.  Sergeant Phil Perlini says in 99.8 percent of cases, there is no burglar.

As a result, much of a local policeman's time is devoted to deterrence – keeping an eye on the community.  Glenview Watch took a three-hour ride with Perlini one Friday night to get a better understanding of how our police department works.

Our first call involved a house in Glen Lake Estates.  A family had left for the day, apparently forgetting to close their garage door.  When concerned neighbors went to investigate, they set off the burglar alarm.

We cruised through the LaFontaine subdivision where Village President Larry Carlson and Plan Commission Chief Howard Silver live, in search of anything that "doesn't look right."  Perlini said burglaries are most likely to occur around that time – 8 p.m. on a Friday when many families are out for the evening.  He shook his head at the large number of homes left dark – a clear signal to burglars that no one is around.

He described the challenges of the job, recounting an apparent case of domestic abuse encountered earlier in the week.  The victim and her husband were Chinese and did not speak much English.  Fortunately, Perlini found a neighbor who spoke Chinese and could translate. 

He recalled a recent suicide in The Park – a teenager who shot himself.  Perlini, a father himself, said the boy's parents were devastated. Glenview has recently experienced a spate of suicides – perhaps six in the last three months. Officials can offer no explanation but speculate the economy and rotten spring weather may contribute to the misery some people feel.

As we approached Waukegan Road,  Perlini told of the afternoon's excitement.  Three suspects were stopped during rush hour causing an immense traffic jam.  Officers thought they had stolen some equipment from a local business, but when the owner of that business was called, he said the men worked for him and had no desire to press charges.

At about 8:30, Perlini stopped in a parking lot behind one of the motels on Milwaukee Avenue.  Noting that the area sees its share of car burglaries, drug deals and prostitution, he got out of the squad to investigate a lone man sitting in the passenger seat of a car.  Pointing his flashlight at the startled tourist from Ohio, Perlini asked to see his driver's license, then radioed key information to headquarters.  Once he determined the man had no criminal record or outstanding warrants, he wished him a good night.  The guy was, by now, alarmed – wondering if it was safe to stay in Glenview.  The Sergeant assured him it was.

A few minutes later, Perlini was doing 70 on Central Road. His siren was on, his lights flashing after the department's dispatcher reported a fire at Springman School.  We were the first at the scene, and Perlini quickly retrieved a fire extinguisher from his trunk to put-out a small blaze in the grass.  Someone had thrown several Molotov cocktails at a wall. As other officers arrived, Perlini ordered them to search the area.  An evidence technician gathered pieces of the homemade explosive and took pictures.  A fire truck pulled into the parking lot, and several men got out to inspect the scene.  Janitors working in the building said they didn't see or hear anything.  No one was hurt, and no arrests were made.

Our final call of the night took us to one of Glenview's trailer parks where a neighbor reported kids had knocked down a construction fence and were wandering around a playground being built there.  We found the broken fence but no kids and headed back to the station on Glenview Road.  It had been, in Perlini's estimation, a pretty quiet night, confirming the old maxim about police work: "It's 7 hours and 59 minutes of boredom plus one minute of pure terror."  

Editor's note: The Glenview Police Department allows any citizen to ride along for a first-hand look at law enforcement.  For more information, call 847-729-5000, hit zero and ask for the commander on duty.

PLAN COMMISSION OKAYS HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING NEAR HEATHERFIELD

Despite continuing opposition from residents of neighboring Heatherfield, the plan commission has cleared the way for construction of 122 town homes, condos and single-family houses on about 20 acres near the corner of Willow and Waukegan roads.

The commissioners expressed some concern about the configuration and amount of  parking and storage space for condo residents, and they proposed that on-street parking be limited to one side, but most were happy with the plans submitted by Active Living of Illinois and sent them to the village board for review.

CHATTY JIMMY

Jim Patterson, the only commissioner to oppose the project known as Haverford, made a rambling effort to eliminate one floor from each of two 4-story buildings. "I wasn't around when Valley Lo Towers was approved," he said referring to high-rise apartments on Chestnut Road, "but they're pretty tall, and this is at a higher point in town than that, and I think if we were to find a way to take one story off of here, whether you took the top or the third off, which is a tremendous discount in number of units and is not what I said last time you were here, but I've had a number of people that I've talked to throughout the community that consistently feel that this is too many units, and the problem that we have with that is we only have one chance to do that, and that is now.  We really have to err on the side of reducing this because you can't take ‘em away after they're here." 

Patterson thought eliminating 24 units from the plan would solve any parking and storage problems. "I don't know that these people would ever condone this," he said, referring to angry neighbors from Heatherfield who wanted far fewer units built. "You're never going to get to the right number of units, but I think there's a happy medium somewhere in between here, but I'm looking at this project and looking at where these buildings are, and that's a, it's a, I think the buildings look nice, but I also think they're too tall, and they're higher based on where they're situated than the Heatherfield buildings.  So if you look at everything happening in this area, I'd like you to give serious consideration to taking one floor out of here, whether it's the third or the fourth, and the only reason I say that is if you took the third you'll have, y'know that, it'll come in like it does right now at the fourth level, but I think that, um, and I'm not looking for a response from the crowd, but I think you would get one."

Editor's note: Developers don't really care what response they get from the crowd.  They only care what response they get from the marketplace, but maybe Patterson was looking for a little support from the studio audience, and maybe he was thinking about all the votes Heatherfield might cast if he were to seek a seat on Glenview's village board this spring.  Oh dear. 


BREAKFAST FOR GLENVIEW – HOTCAKES AND A SIDE OF SPRAWL

Another staple of the suburban landscape is on its way to Glenview.  The International House of Pancakes plans to open one of its larger restaurants in the Target and Kohl's shopping center on Willow Road – right next to that other culinary pillar, Bennigan's.  Commissioner Joseph DiMattina, who seemed to be on a cranky streak during most of the meeting, complained about the blue roof.  He was told that was part of IHOP's national corporate identity.

"We're more interested in you conforming to our sight than the sight conforming to you," DiMattina warned.  "I have a real issue with the blue roof.  I would prefer to have it tie in with [Bennigan's] copper roof."

The architect for IHOP said he would keep that in mind.

AMERITECH REMAINS ON HOLD

Ameritech has unveiled its latest plan for a second-story addition to its building west of the post office downtown, telling the plan commission it has tried to reflect the architecture of neighboring buildings – the park district headquarters on Prairie and Glenview's downtown train station.

Commissioner Joseph DiMattina was candid in telling the utility that its presence at the current site does nothing for the future of downtown.  "Buildings such as yours cause us a great deal of heartache," he said.  "It's a black hole – doesn't do anything to bring people downtown."

DiMattina argued that in time the phone company would need a bigger building and tried, for more than 15 minutes, to persuade planners that they should relocate now rather than later.  A spokesman for SBC/Ameritech said relocating all of Glenview's telephone lines would take 3-5 years, and the current building could be used for at least 15-20 years more.  Another company official thought the Prairie Street building, which is more than 50 years old, might still be serving the community 40 years from now.

Under those circumstances, several commissioners agreed that the whole building should be upgraded, with the cost of more expensive architecture and building materials paid off over the 40-year period.  They also urged the phone company to beautify all four sides of the building and to scale back on parking.  Since only five people work at the facility on a daily basis, Commissioner Gary Wendt suggested some of the paved area be converted to green space. Ameritech did not object, saying it had already terminated an agreement allowing the post office to park trucks on its property.

Early in the discussion, DiMattina had asked about a mechanical feature of the building that did not appear in architectural drawings.  The architect apologized, saying that was a mistake.  At the end of the evening, DiMattina warned: "In this whole process we've brought Ameritech kicking and screaming.  Everything has to be a battle.  We have to question everything.  I'm gonna' give you guys the benefit of the doubt and say that for your next submission you have all your I's dotted and T's crossed.  I'm not an architect.  Y'know I sell food, okay.  That's what I do, okay, but if I have to keep on pulling this stuff out – asking pointed questions – that's a problem for me."

MORE "GORGEOUS" TOWN HOMES FOR GLENVIEW

The Glenview Village Board will discuss  Tuesday what to do about a developer who wants to build at 110 Washington Street near Springman Middle School in unincorporated Glenview.  If  Marek Barton were building in the village, his project would violate several of Glenview's zoning requirements, including how much building and pavement he can put on a lot, how far back from the curb and rear boundaries of the property he can build.  In a letter to Village President Carlson, Barton says he intends to create "ten gorgeous upscale town homes on the property." Glenview may try to persuade the county not to let Barton proceed.

GLENVIEW GOES GOLLYWOOD

The director responsible for such cinematic classics as Little Giants and Snow Day is headed for Glenview, making a family film with producer David James of Wilmette. The movie, entitled Uncle Nino, may be shot in one of our newer developments on the west side of town for one to three weeks.  A copy of  the script has been given to Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade, but there's no word yet on which celebrities may be seen around town.

USHER QUITS DISTRICT 34 BOARD

Anastasia Usher, the most senior member of the School District 34 board, has resigned.  Citing personal reasons, Usher said she could not give the time and energy needed.  Board members have recently discussed their growing workload as the district faces serious financial problems and plans to open a new middle school this fall.  The board will meet Wednesday morning to discuss filling the position and has 30 days to choose a replacement. Usher's term expires late next year.

In other school news, the board has awarded raises averaging about 4 percent to its administrators, saying the increases were needed to remain competitive with other districts in the area.  District 34 teachers will see a pay hike of 3.58 percent next year.

And the First in the World Coalition is calling it quits.  The consortium of north suburban school districts formed seven years ago and spent nearly a million dollars trying to find better ways of teaching science and math.  The program concluded that spending less time reviewing lessons, assigning kids less homework and keeping them from doing that work during the school day improved student performance.  The consortium generated lots of information about how students learn, but some superintendents say they'll have to form a new group to analyze all that data. 
           
PARK DISTRICT PAVES AND FENCES PARADISE

Glenview's Park District is gearing up to build a parking lot across from Wagner Farm on land provided by St. Peter and Paul's Church. Under a special agreement, the congregation will use that lot during Sunday services and special events.  Patrons of Wagner Farm will be allowed to park there when it's not being used by the church.

Members of Glenview's Plan Commission and the public have questioned park district officials about using environmentally-friendly materials – porous stone pavers that allow tiny plants to grow up through the lot while allowing storm water to drain easily into the land below.  The park district's director of leisure services, Bob Quill, isn't sure there's time to evaluate such alternatives.  Bids for the lot went out last week, and vendors have 10 days to respond. Quill will be back before the plan commission on June 11 and will ask for village board approval to build on June 18.

Meanwhile, some members of the public are criticizing the park district's decision to install a black chain-link fence between its new facility on Willow Road at Heatherfield and the Chicago River.  The area has been cited as one of Glenview's natural treasures, and the fence does not enhance the view, but Superintendent of Park Services Fred Gullin says the land slopes steeply from the playground and fields to the water, posing a risk that small children and soccer balls could end up in the river.

SECURITY PROBLEMS FOR THE PARKS

– Nearly $9,000 in revenues collected by the Glenview Park District have disappeared over the past six months.  Glenview Police are investigating the theft of deposit envelopes from Park Center, and the district has hired an outside auditor to help with the probe.  Already, Executive Director Tom Richardson says several changes have been made in accounting methods.

– While the park district has complied with local ordinance in surrounding its construction sites with security fencing, kids were easily able to topple a fence near the trailer park adjacent to Heatherfield, and on Thursday evening the West Fork construction site along Willow Road was wide open, giving the public full access to six large pieces of earth-moving equipment.

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS

– Red Seal homes is scaling back plans for high-density housing on Shermer Road in Northbrook.  The developer had originally asked to build 272 units in an industrial section of the village but is now proposing 235 town houses and condos.  Northbrook officials are concerned that the development could further erode its industrial base, and local factory and warehouse owners have expressed fears that new residents in the area will complain about the noise, traffic and smells associated with their businesses.

– Unwilling to wait for money from the county or state, Northbrook has decided to use its own funds to build turn lanes at Waukegan and Walters roads.  Officials say the intersection is dangerous, putting kids en route to nearby schools at risk.

– Northbrook is debating whether to put batting cages at the Annetsberger site where it will construct a new park.  Staffers note that cages could generate a fair amount of revenue for the district, but some planners say the community hasn't asked for such facilities.

VILLAGE TO SHRED DOCUMENTS

The Watch notes with dismay a bill to the village in this week's packet of papers for the trustees.  They're being asked to pay $60 to a company called Accurate Document Destruction for "shredded document bins."

READERS WRITE:

Nancy Chadwick liked what she read in last week's Watch: "I couldn't agree more with Mr. Witzling (our consultant for the comprehensive plan for downtown Glenview).  His ideas and suggestions for changing an ailing Glenview corridor into a thriving district would bring to some Glenview residents, including myself, exactly what we're looking for.  However, as a newer resident of Glenview, I hope my views are not in the minority. I get the impression that most Glenview residents resist change of any kind.  Yes, the downtown will still be here in 20 years and sadly, it may look as it does today!  The five-block stretch has incredible potential for revitalization, but unless we make a change, The Glen will be our downtown."

Former Glenview resident Larry Eugene sends advice from Lincolnshire: "I would be very leery of that downtown consultant. Who wants to make all those changes in favor of retail stores? His suggestions make me squirm. Leave it as it is with minor improvements. We've had that happen here in Lincolnshire.  Even the trustees I have supported for village board seem to get entranced by new developments. Take it slow and easy, people. What you've got is being targeted by greedy commercial interests!"

Dan Barrett is dismayed by the failure of animal control to provide weekend service: "I live in Countryside, an unincorporated area of Glenview bounded by Milwaukee Ave, Central, Glenview and Greenwood roads. For a while now we have had stray cats in the neighborhood, and last week one was hit by a car. It seemed to suffer extensive damage to its front legs but could still get around. On Saturday we called Glenview police and were told to call Cook County Animal Control. We called there and were told that if the situation is not an emergency, no one would come out. When we asked what we should do with the cat, which was hiding under our deck, the person said to catch it, take it to a veterinary hospital and pay to have it euthanized.

"Now I'm sorry, but this appalled me, and I'm not even a cat lover. Why do we pay taxes for animal control if they're telling us to do their job? And by the way, the cat might consider this to be an emergency, wouldn't you think?"

The Watch replies: The director of Cook County's animal control operation is sorry for what happened, but Dr. Dan Palmer, DVM, explains that his department is short on staff.  Just three people handle calls from all over the county, and on weekends they take turns covering emergencies – heading out only if someone has been bitten or if an animal has been hit and is lying in the public right of way. Given the manpower crunch, one might accept that answer, but Dr. Palmer also tells us his annual budget is $2 million! About $300,000 of that goes for spaying and neutering.  The county provides pet owners with $40 each time they have an animal sterilized, and Palmer says 7,300 procedures were done last year.  Then there is the $250,000 the county spends on research.  Research?  Palmer says our tax dollars go to scientists at Loyola University, Brookfield Zoo and the McGaw Wildlife Center.  We took this information to Glenview's County Commissioner Gregg Goslin who said he was not even aware that Cook County provided animal control services.  We trust he will now take a close look at the operation.  In the mean time, if you live in the village of Glenview, call 847-729-5000 for assistance with an animal problem.  Those in unincorporated areas can call the county at 708-974-6140.  

FM is concerned about some feathered friends who may have flown the coop.  She asks: "What has happened to the six little goslings at Flick Park?  For a week or so I enjoyed watching the little ones follow their mother and dad around the park, often evading the two young boys who were throwing stones at them.  Now I don't see them anymore.  Where have they gone?  Not with Bart the Bull, I hope!"

The Watch replies: Fred Gullin, superintendent of park services, says there are no nests at Flick, but a number of goose families frequent the area, moving from the park's lake to detention ponds nearby.  Goose parents are normally very protective of their young, and if kids were harassing the goslings, Gullin says their parents have probably found a safer spot to nest, waddle and swim.

JHH thought we were petty to disclose Village President Carlson's purchase from Abt in Morton Grove, one day before the store moved to Glenview: "I enjoy very much hearing the different opinions and information presented in the Glenview Watch, but don't you think last week's Editor's Note about Larry Carlson making a purchase at Abt in Morton Grove was petty and uncalled for? Name a person in Glenview who hasn't purchased something from Abt in Morton Grove over the years, shopped at Old Orchard or in other towns. Cut Carlson a little slack. It's his own money. Abt had big sales that day and geez don't we all like to save a little money, even if we all try to hug the bear?"

The Watch replies:  It didn't occur to us that Village President Carlson was taking advantage of a going-out-of-business sale in Morton Grove. Still, we think he could have set a better example by waiting a day and making the purchase here. In so doing, he would have assured that some of his sales tax dollars would come back to Glenview, and he would have shown support for a new local business.  Whenever possible we believe in supporting local merchants, even if it means paying a little more.  By the way, Bob Abt makes a public promise to comply with any reasonable request, so he might very well have extended the Morton Grove price to Carlson here.

JG favors widening Lake Avenue: "I wonder if the people who complain about widening Lake Avenue drive.  I drive Lake every day during morning and evening rush.  I can't wait for it to be widened and to have turning lanes.  As I see it, Lake Avenue is a serious safety hazard.  On several occasions I have been run off the road because a car was making a left turn and the car behind it cut into the outside lane without looking (usually while talking on the phone and/or drinking coffee).  On Friday, I was headed west on Lake.  There was a Suburban headed east but stopped to make a left  turn.  The Suburban was so wide that our mirrors would have hit if I hadn't moved over. (I also drive a large SUV) Whether we like it or not, larger vehicles are here to stay, and many of those who drive on Lake wanted the perks that development brings.  It seems that they forgot or chose to ignore any of the negative side effects of development.  Increased traffic is just one of them.  Now it's time to pay the piper." 

The Watch replies: We're not so sure large vehicles are here to stay.  At some point, gasoline will start costing more, and then we'll see how much Americans love their SUV's.  We also wonder when American companies will get with the program and allow flex-time for more of their employees.  It's nutty that everyone has to be at work by 9 a.m.  People who work early or late shifts find Lake Avenue is a piece of cake.  For them, it makes no sense to pave even more land, adding our little bit to the problem of  global warming and making local flooding worse. There are also studies showing wider lanes cause people to drive faster, which means accidents could be more serious, and some traffic experts would argue that a wider Lake Avenue will attract more drivers now using Willow or Golf.

That said, the prospects for keeping Lake Avenue lanes at 10.5 feet do not look good.  Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin has joined with Highways Superintendent Wally Kos in pointing out that 12 feet is not only a state standard for new lane widths but a national norm.  Goslin says he will do his best to make sure driveways along the construction route are nicely restored and that no homeowner is injured financially. 

YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to support The Watch. Non-deductible checks should be payable to Glenview Watch. Thanks for your support and for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors.

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