Chuck E. Cheese: Oak Lawn’s Violent Mouse Problem

OAK LAWN, IL — Chuck E. Cheese might be a giant mouse, but adults are the biggest pests at the Oak Lawn franchise, which is dangerously close to having its business license yanked if recurring security problems are not solved.

The Oak Lawn Village Board is looking to CEC Entertainment — the corporation that runs 577 Chuck E. Cheese franchises around the nation — to address recurring security concerns at the popular children’s venue located at 4031 W. 95th St.

From a gang-related shooting in the parking lot to brawls inside and outside the restaurant during children’s parties, Oak Lawn’s Chuck E. Cheese continues to be hectored by security problems. One such altercation in 2014 that started at the salad bar and then spilled outside into the parking lot was captured on video.

The most recent incident — an Oak Lawn police officer working security at Chuck E. Cheese allegedly got assaulted while responding to a domestic disturbance — brought CEC’s corporate executives to Oak Lawn for a front-and-center meeting with the mayor, police chief and village manager.

Warning: Graphic language

Since taking office in 2013, Dist. 4 trustee Terry Vorderer told fellow village trustees at their Sept. 27 meeting that he’s met four times with company representatives to discuss ongoing safety issues at the kids’ fun emporium.

“We are moving and not turning a blind eye to this issue. This is a responsible company who’s made every attempt to address [safety issues],” Vorderer said. “While I agree that the ultimate authority of this board is to revoke that [business] license, I ask that we give them every opportunity to address our concerns. If these conditions are not addressed, then I stand with you and the mayor in revoking that license.”

At the village’s insistence, CEC has spent $300,000 on improving security at the Oak Lawn franchise, paying off-duty Oak Lawn police officers to provide security, reducing occupancy, and adding more security cameras an signage encouraging adults to not behave like children. Chuck E. Cheese has also joined the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, where it has committed to more sponsorships and taken a higher local visibility.

A security consultant for CEC Entertainment produced a report following the cop battering. In 2015, Oak Lawn police fielded approximately 40 Chuck E. Cheese-related 911 calls; 40 calls for service have been received to date this year. Not all of the calls involved physical altercations or warranted police reports, the consultant claimed.

“We want to make sure [CEC Entertainment] has due process,” Mayor Sandra Bury said. “They have not been irresponsible. They’ve done everything our police department has asked them to do. My primary concern is that if nothing is done, someone will get hurt and it will be a kid. We want to be fair, but we don’t want any exposure to the taxpayers.”

Since the first Chuck E. Cheese opened in San Jose, California, in 1977, the franchise has garnered a reputation for adult fights, with Oak Lawn contributing to the subgenre of Chuck E. Cheese police reports. Here are a few of the incidents gathered from the Patch archives:

Chuck E. Cheese Ejectee Afraid of Non-Existent Warrant Gives Cops Fake Name: Police -- A man who had been ejected for causing a disturbance allegedly gave police a fake name thinking there was a warrant out for his arrest. There was no warrant, and police charged him with obstructing justice. (Feb. 9, 2016)

Four Charged In Chuck E. Cheese Salad Bar Fight -- An adult fracas that broke up the fun at a children’s party spilled into the parking lot where a large, unruly crowd was captured on video screaming profanities at each other. Four men were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in an altercation that started in the salad bar. While alcohol was determined not to have played a role in the dust-up, CEC Entertainment voluntarily gave up its liquor license. (May 20, 2014)

Flash Mob Disrupts Chuck E. Cheese -- In a pre-planned flash mob arranged over Facebook, 40 teens gathered at the Oak Lawn location. According to an employee, the teens were being loud, flashing gang signs at each other, and bothering other customers. The manager didn’t want the teens arrested, but he did ask police to escort them off the premises, after which, the teens disrupted traffic on 95th Street. (Feb. 13, 2013)

3 Adults Charged in Disturbance at Chuck E. Cheese's -- A private security officer radioed that he was being beaten by two Chicago men, who were each charged with battery. A woman was also arrested when she followed officers aside and screamed profanities at them. (Feb. 25, 2013)

Oak Lawn Police Investigate Chuck E. Cheese Shooting -- A self-admitted Gangster Disciple narrowly escaped being whacked in the Chuck E. Cheese parking lot. After he put his child’s leftover birthday cake on the back seat of his car, two gunmen approached the the vehicle and began opening fire. The father told Patch he wedged himself beneath the steering wheel as bullets pierced the front seat. He told police he believed he was targeted by rival gang members. Oak Lawn police said the man had a gang history. (Dec. 22, 2012)

Mom Starts Scuffle at Chuck E. Cheese -- Unhappy when other moms criticized her child’s behavior at a children’s birthday party, witnesses told police the mother angrily swung her clenched fists at other parents. Police said in a report, “clearly some type of incident happened.” (Oct. 24, 2012)

Children Knocked Over in Chuck E. Cheese Brawl -- Responding to a fight a in progress, Oak Lawn police learned that several uninvolved patrons, including children, had been pushed to the side by two brawling factions. Some of the kids were knocked to the floor. Both sides blamed the other for starting the fight. Unable to find a reliable witness to finger the aggressor, police charged seven women and one man with disorderly conduct. (Feb, 16, 2012)

Chicago Man Urinates in Front of Chuck E. Cheese -- A South Side man was issued a village citation when he urinated in the parking lot in front of the Oak Lawn Chuck E. Cheese. (Feb. 11, 2011)