'Gangbanger' Allegation In La Grange Park Disputed

LA GRANGE, IL — In July, a resident expressed fears during a La Grange Park Village Board meeting that a TikTok-inspired party at a local park was full of "gangbangers." But a local official this week said she saw it differently.

Over the summer, two basketball parties were held at La Grange Park's Memorial Park — one on July 17 and the other on Aug. 17.

The organizers did not get a permit beforehand in either case, although the park district had an organizer sign a permit at the beginning of the second one.

In early July, Cam Wilder, who has played basketball for Midland University in Nebraska, told his nearly 4 million TikTok followers about the July 17 event.

"All my Chicago hoopers, listen up, we're throwing a park takeover at Memorial Park in La Grange (Park) at 5 p.m. I know it's not in the city or the South Side, but I talked to all the videographers out there," Wilder said.

The events also have involved D'Vontay Friga and Derrick Echols, both college basketball players.

Echols, who has a friend from La Grange Park, has held events in town before, according to the park district.

About 200 people attended the first event, while "definitely" less than that number showed up the second time, said Jessica Cannaday, executive director of the Community Park District of La Grange Park.

The park district and the police prepared both times, she said.

"The kids were out before the park closed for the night at 10 p.m.," Cannaday said in an interview with Patch. "It was no worse than any other special event. They did a great job picking up after themselves."

She noted a couple of residents do not believe the park district took the proper precautions before the parties.

"We also have residents who have expressed support. They say these are amenities for people to play on," Cannaday said.

Before the July 17 event, text messages obtained through a public records request show Cannaday communicated with Police Chief Tim Contois about the parties.

"I have two staff checking in, but it is not a sanctioned event," she told the chief in July. "There is no rental on the books or anything. Hopefully, they play, clean up and leave. If they're a nuisance, they can be removed for organized play without a permit."

At the Village Board meeting on July 27, resident Mary Rita Ryan noted the party at Memorial Park.

"Did you hear about that one, with all the gangbangers?" she said.

Village President James Discipio said they were not gangbangers.

"I don't know where you get that they're gangbangers," he said.

She asked whether Discipio saw the event.

He said he did, saying the participants appeared happy to be playing basketball.

Ryan said the event started in the afternoon and that it was still going on when she went to the nearby Jewel store around 8:30 p.m.

"People were nose to nose, face to face," Ryan said. "There were three police officers by Panera watching what was going on, waiting for the thing to explode. They left that park a mess. There were plastic cups all over the place. Nobody ever cleaned it up."

Four days after the first party, Alexandria Zuck, a new park board member, emailed both Cannaday and the village president about the "escalations" on Facebook "surrounding recent events at our community parks."

"(T)here appear to be some deep concerns which are presenting themselves as upset and accusatory," Zuck said. "I believe that some of the discussions may leave community members feeling marginalized, and I believe all community members should feel welcome and safe in the use of our facilities."

She asked what local government bodies could do to address the issues, so they do not further "escalate."

In an email to the village president and other officials in July, Cannaday said Cam Wilder's mission was to provide kids of all backgrounds the opportunity to play high-quality basketball together.

"The whole 'Take Over' phrase is to generate competition and pride — as we saw at the event here in La Grange Park — Cam's team was beaten by his own local players, and he was unsuccessful in his own 'take over,'" Cannaday said.

As for Derrick Echols, Cannaday said, "Derrick is an incredibly inspiring and humble young man (he is 20 years old), and I would love to try to find an opportunity for him to speak in our community about what he does and why he does it."