The only thing more frightening for Burr Ridge residents than the recent rash of home robberies, garage and car thefts is not knowing what, if anything, is being done to stop them.
In my capacity as a Trustee, I have reached out to both Chief John Madden and Village Administrator Doug Pollock many times over the past two weeks for some answers. I have heard nothing.
As Chief, Madden’s number one responsibility is to ensure the safety of Village residents. By now, he should have unveiled a plan of action that will both comfort residents and let would-be criminals know that anything from the theft of tropical flowers to thousands in jewelry – both have happened in the past month – will not be tolerated. But all we get from the police is a generally worded message, posted on the Burr Ridge website, warning residents to be aware of pandemic scams. As Administrator, Pollock is legally bound to report to the Village’s Trustees. Both have failed in their responsibilities to residents.
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When I asked, at a board meeting in March, what is being done to stop the crime wave and encouraged my fellow Trustees to have a broader discussion about smarter policing solutions, Mayor Gary Grasso’s response was, “We have stuff. People come here to steal or destroy our stuff…so check your video equipment and make sure that if you have it, that it’s working.”
Apparently Grasso thinks residents, not police, are responsible to stop the crime.
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More transparency from Village officials about a plan of action would not only help reassure residents but end the speculation that organized crime, or even the police themselves, are behind some of the crimes.
It’s happened before. Back in the early 1980s, some members of the police department were caught running license plates of cars parked at local restaurants, and notifying their partners in crime of the home addresses of those dining.
Burr Ridge residents are scared, and they are letting me know. I will keep asking questions until I get them the answers they deserve.
