Each month, the Barrington Hills Police Department generates a report which includes both general statistics and specific narrative incident reports from our Village patrol officers. Apparently, prior to release of each monthly police report, they are provided to the Board of Trustees prior to their monthly meetings. An analysis of minutes from these meetings for all of 2011 indicates that there is no discussion of the contents of the reports, nor do they require a vote for approval. Clearly, Trustee review must focus on general police activities such as training, DUI arrests, alarms and house watch activity, since the December resident incidents report is not complete.
On December 26, 2011, The Observer published an account and photographic image that showed a perpetrator apparently committing an incident of vandalism to driveway gate entry lights at a residence off Otis Rd. (see Vandalism to the home of former Light Ordinance opponent). The incident occurred on December 23, 2011, and the homeowner reported the incident to our Village Police Department. A similar version of the incident report to that of The Observer’s was also published in the Barrington Courier-Review’s weekly Police Blotter column in their January 4, 2012, issue under the Barrington Hills subsection (see Police Blotter).
As well-publicized as this story may seem to have been, it was not documented in our Village’s December Monthly Report. Furthermore, an earlier reported incident of property damage to this same homeowner’s residence was not documented in any monthly police report either.
Perhaps an administrative oversight resulted in these omissions. However, the December 2011 police report does document lighting vandalism to multiple Village properties up to, and including, December 31, 2011. Why were the two incidents involving the same resident excluded from reporting? Furthermore, who determines which narrative incident reports should be included or excluded before submission to the Board? It’s highly doubtful the reporting officers do.
Hundreds of readers viewed The Observer’s account of this story, so clearly residents are interested and concerned about crimes in their neighborhoods and our Village. Obviously it is impossible to determine the percentage of completeness of the December or prior police reports, but the fact is that this report was incomplete, and this should not be acceptable to residents.
Nevertheless, future monthly police reports will be a continuing monthly feature on this site, and we will link to them once they are posted for residents to view on the Village FOIA website.
-The Observer
And that’s not the only reports that are ‘hidden’ – our dictator/punisher seems to think he can administer justice to whom ever……and shame on our Chief of Police for going along with it. There needs to be a clear defined distinction between administration and law enforcement. Has anyone asked the real reason the paychecks of our patrol officers are frozen? Do the residents even know this? Of course rank still has the luxury of payraises………. perhaps patrol officers do not like the fact that their real reports are missing or edited…………..perhaps they even complained.
And who is the most vindictive person in Barrinton Hills?
It’s more than jjust sad that good officers are being overriden by the “punisher” As a group, I think the Village Police want to do their job, This latest action is one more example of the many impediments Village employees face when trying to do their job. Village employees are “professioals”; the elected Vlliage officials have shown they’re far from being “professionalls” Documentation of these irregularities is much appreciated, and invaluable in building the case. Employees/Police face losing their jobs and pensions, a very big stick in the hands of a tyrant. So,, for the Nick and Noras, thanks for keeping us in the loop. We’ll support a reasonable plan to end this.
Drastic Change is Overdue!!
If the Pres and Trustees continue to harrass and threaten, it will only encourage people to disconnect from the Village. Residents no longer have the assurance of peaceful enjoyment of their property and privacy. Instead, they must now be looking over their shoulders.. Who would have guessed it would get this bad? Time for a recall.
Don’t blame the Chief. He is only following “orders”. (Wasn’t that Eichman’s defense in court?)
The Chief needs that regular paycheck to make his house payments and he (being the consumate politician that he is) dares not anger his party leader!
Is it Time for an “Occupy VBH” movement yet? Or do we need to wait a bit longer for warmer weather?