Restaurant Owner Launches Campaign To Help Secure Seniors' Homes After Home Invasion

Caption: 1) Kwikset 663 single-cylinder, single-sided deadbolt 2) Design House 2-⅜ in. backset single-sided deadbolt with turn button interior 3) Honeywell single-sided, satin nickel deadbolt Model # 8111309 4) Sandi DiGangi, owner of Big Pappa’s Gyros

Last week’s vicious attack on an elderly resident in her home has struck at the heart of Oak Lawn. It has been the main topic of conversation on neighborhood Facebook groups, shops, taverns and restaurants throughout the village.

An Oak Lawn restaurant owner is leading a drive to collect and install deadbolt locks for seniors who are living on their own to help them feel more secure in their homes.

Sandi DiGangi, who prepares thousands of turkey dinners and distributes toys to financially disadvantaged families every Christmas, is accepting donations of new, single-cylinder deadbolt locks and/or monetary donations to purchase locks at her restaurant, Big Pappa’s Gyros located at 10806 S. Cicero Ave.

“We need to stick together as a community and be there for one another,” DiGangi said. “This horrible crime affects all of us.”

DiGangi is also working with local churches and senior organizations to identify seniors or disabled persons who can use some added security in their homes.

Individuals and couples age 65+ who are living alone and would like deadbolt locks installed in their front and back doors can call DiGangi at 708-741-4014.

Seniors must live in Oak Lawn, and have no family living within a 25-mile radius.

Big Pappa’s is looking to install single-cylinder, deadbolt locks with a turn button that seniors can easily lock into place or open in case of an emergency. Locks can be two-sided (with a key to open the exterior side of the door) or one-sided (locked from the inside only).

The following products are suggested, which retail from $10 to $20. These deadbolt locks can be purchased locally at stores such as Home Depot, Menards, Lowes, Walmart, Kmart or Ace Hardware:

• Kwikset 663 single-cylinder, single-sided deadbolt
• Design House 2-⅜ in. backset single-sided deadbolt with turn button interior
• Honeywell single-sided, satin nickel deadbolt Model # 8111309
• or similar products (please refer to the photos with this story)

Several Chicago police officers have already stepped forward to assist in the installation of the deadbolt locks. To protect the safety and privacy of Oak Lawn seniors, any police officer or firefighter who’d like to help in their off-duty hours can also contact DiGangi.

“I’m not interested in publicity, I just want to get the word out and help Oak Lawn’s seniors,” she said.

DiGangi would like to start the installation this week, if possible, because “this isn’t something to be sat on.”

For more information or to request deadbolt lock installation for yourself, an elderly neighbor or a loved one, contact Sandi DiGangi at 708-741-4014, or drop off locks or monetary donations at Big Pappa’s Gyros, 10806 S. Cicero Ave.

Home invasion investigation continues

Oak Lawn police continue to investigate the home invasion that took place around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 19, where an 86-year-old woman was physically assaulted by a male offender.

Detectives have remained close-mouthed about the investigation, and have offered no further physical description of the suspect to the public.

Seniors who live alone are advised to contact family members to aid them in taking proper precautions for their security.

• Residents are advised to keep phones near their bed to assist in contact first responders when needed.
• Use deadbolts on doors and motion sensor lighting whenever possible to deter offenders.
• Residents who observe suspicious individuals or vehicles around their home or neighbor’s home, should call 911 immediately.

Oak Lawn police are asking anyone with information about this incident or who witnessed suspicious activity or vehicles in the area at the time of the attack to call detectives at 708-422-8292.