Teen Behavior Improving in Downtown La Grange: Police Chief

There was a time about five years ago when La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub said he got hate mail every weekend from people upset about the kids hanging out in downtown La Grange.

Not so anymore.

This summer he said he’s only gotten one message from a resident who’s steamed about the clusters of teenagers.

“Yeah, (kids) are down there,” Holub said. “But they’re polite. They’re not foul-mouthed.”

Opinions were split among residents who commented on a column I ran a couple of weeks ago about the cliques around the fountain and in front of businesses such as DiNico’s.

“The people complaining probably don't have kids or have always put themselves above their kids,” Hester wrote. “I mean, really, these grown ups don't want their quiet evening disturbed by kids being kids.”

Ed had a different take.

“Downtown La Grange has become nothing more than the largest babysitting service in the western suburbs,” he wrote.

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For the most part, Holub said, kids are just peaceably enjoying time along La Grange Road, just like the adults. Ones who cause a disturbance will be warned, he said, and if they don’t knock it off they’ll be cited.

That extreme behavior happens much less frequently than it used to.

Back around 2008, many more residents grumbled about kids who intimidated them as they walked downtown. 

The village installed no skateboarding signs and sends out an annual message (summarized here) that warns kids what is and is not allowed—and Holub said those steps have made a difference.

“We’re happy with the kids we’ve seen this year,” he said. “They’re not 100 percent perfect, but we have not seen things that equated to criminality.”

What’s your take? How does the situation downtown La Grange compare to five years ago? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Earlier:

The Kids Are All Right in Downtown La Grange—Or are They?