Crosswalk at Main Street causes concern for some motorists by Bonnie MacKay Although Gov. Pat Quinn signed a new law six weeks ago requiring drivers to come to a complete stop for all pedestrians in crosswalks, there apparently are still some questions with crosswalks in the village—especially where the Prairie Path intersects Main Street.
Although the Prairie Path has signs posted requiring pedestrians/bicyclists to stop and yield to traffic, apparently that does not always happen.
So was the case for John Vinci on Monday, Aug. 30, when a bicyclist, towing a child behind her bike, apparently came dangerously close to being hit.
According to Vinci, vehicular traffic on Main Street was moderately heavy and the eastbound bicyclist reportedly did not initially stop when she approached Main Street. He reported that she did stop when she realized that there was traffic, but she was almost 2 feet into the southbound lanes at that point.
“I always approach the path slowly and with extreme caution,” Vinci said. “I had to swerve in order to miss hitting her front wheel. Fortunately, the other drivers around me were alert enough to avoid an accident.”
Vinci said a police officer happened along and reportedly observed what had taken place. Although he was able to discuss the matter with the officer, calls to the officer were not returned.
“When the intersection first went in, some of our officers observed some very dangerous situations,” Lombard Police Deputy Chief Dane Cuny said, adding that one of the dangers occurs when one vehicle stops and another vehicle in the adjoining lane does not stop.
Recognizing that this could be a hazard, Cuny said the signage was changed to remind pedestrians/bicyclists that they need to yield to motorists in the roadway. A pedestrian crosswalk also was added to try and make it better, the deputy chief related.
“Stopping in the middle, in and of itself, is not too bad,” Cuny said. “It allows you to look for breaks in traffic in two lanes, not all four lanes.”
According to a press release from Active Transportation Alliance, the new law, which was signed in July, requires drivers to come to a complete stop for pedestrians in all crosswalks—even those that are unmarked or do not have a stop sign or traffic light.
It further states that the new law clarifies the responsibility of drivers and makes it easier for police to enforce the law. Until now, Illinois law required drivers to yield and stop only when necessary.
“Our streets ought to be safe places for families, children and neighbors,” said Melody Geraci, interim director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “This law helps to ensure walkable and livable communities where we live, work and play.” Illinois Department of Transportation figures show that more than 6,000 pedestrians are hit by cars in Illinois each year. These crashes result in serious injury to more than 1,000 people and about 170 fatalities annually.
“We will take a look at the intersection and see what we can do to better alert pedestrians,” Cuny said on Monday, adding that he was going to ask John Johnson, public works technical service supervisor, to take a look at the signage on the Prairie Path and possibly make the warning more prevalent so people can see it. While Cuny said he sees dangers for pedestrians everywhere, he added, “If a road is busy, you need to be extra careful.”
Lombard police report on citizen survey results “Police responsiveness and accountability to citizens are essential to maintaining the respect and cooperation required for positive public relations and partnership between law enforcement and the community,” according to Bruce Longino, planning/analysis for the Lombard Police Department and manager of the accreditation process.
“One method the Lombard Police Department uses to evaluate its own performance is to receive feedback from the community via an opinion survey mailed to a random sample of people who have had contact with the department,” Longino added.
An examination of the survey results indicated that the Lombard Police Department continues to work toward preserving a safe and secure community while maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards. Results from the survey will be used to tailor training and program development for the department. Ninety-five percent of the respondents indicated that the concern, courtesy and professional conduct shown by the person they had contact with were “excellent” or “good” and 94 percent rated their competence, helpfulness and attitude as “excellent” or “good” as well.
Some 600 surveys were mailed to random residents with whom the police department has had contact. The police department had a 24 percent return rate, higher than the last time a survey was conducted in 2007, in which 14 percent were returned.
The Village of Lombard Police Department conducts a community survey triennially, to fulfill one of the standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement (CALEA).
The CALEA standard requires that the following criteria be addressed: •Overall agency performance •Overall competence of agency employees •Citizens’ perception of officers’ attitudes and behaviors •Community concern over safety and security within the agency’s service area •Citizens’ recommendations and suggestion for improvements. Complete results of the citizen survey may be found on the village Web site at www.villageoflombard.org.
‘We Remember’ ceremony Sept. 11 in Lombard The Village of Lombard Fire Department is planning several events to commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11.
Beginning at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 11, the fire department will host a bell ringing ceremony at Fire Station 2, located at 2020 South Highland Ave. The bell ringing ceremony will also include a moment of silence and officer comments. After the ceremony concludes, light refreshments will be served at the fire station. Fire Station 2 will then be open for visitors.
Residents, scout troops, church groups and businesses are invited to attend the remembrance planned for Sept. 11.
FEMA opens Disaster Aid Relief office in Westchester; office open daily The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened a Disaster Aid Relief office in the north campus of St. Joseph High School in Westchester. The office, located at 840 Mayfair Ave., is open every day.
According to FEMA representatives, the Westchester office is available to help residents of declared disaster areas with information regarding low-interest disaster loans.
Anyone requesting assistance may visit the office in person or may contact FEMA at 1-800-659-2922 for questions regarding the claim process or online at www.FEMA.gov.
Villa Park officers respond for disturbance; two injured by Bonnie MacKay Villa Park police officers responded to the area of Ardmore and Terrace last week after receiving a call for an apparent disturbance.
According to Villa Park Police Deputy Chief Robert Budig, officers were called to the area at about 10:13 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25.
Officers located two male subjects, who reportedly had been fighting, the deputy chief said, adding that one of the male subjects had “some type of lump on the back of his head and one had a slash wound to the back.”
Budig said the male subject with the lump on his head may have been hit with what police believe was a pipe or bat.
The other victim apparently was slashed with an unknown object, the deputy chief said.
Both subjects, Villa Park residents, were transported to area hospitals by Villa Park Fire Department paramedics, according to the deputy chief. The victim who sustained the slashing injury was treated and released, he added.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Villa Park investigators at 630-834-7447.
Forest preserve police make drug arrest Forest Preserve District of DuPage County police officers arrested Carl J. Solorio of the 7400 block of Richmond Avenue in Darien on Aug. 5. Solorio was charged with unlawful production of cannabis and possession of cannabis after an investigation initiated by a police officer who found a cannabis cultivation site on district property.
While on foot patrol at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien on May 29, Forest Preserve District Police Officer M. Ryan found seven cannabis plants growing in close proximity in a wooded area at the preserve.
The cannabis plants appeared to be an organized cultivation plot. District officers began surveillance of the area, including the installation of a hidden camera. The camera recorded three adult males tending to the cultivation plots. One of the three was later identified as Solorio.
On Aug. 5, Ryan arrested Solorio as he walked in the area of the cannabis plot allegedly carrying a partially concealed branch of cannabis. When confronted by Ryan, Solorio reportedly led the officer to the cannabis cultivation site and admitted his involvement in cultivating the site.
A district police officer, who is a state-certified evidence technician, processed the crime scene and noted six whole cannabis plants and one ground-level stem at the site. Officers reviewing footage from the surveillance camera observed a subject, who appeared to be Solorio, tending to the plants earlier that morning.
Due to the apparent organized nature of the cultivation site, Forest Preserve District Police contacted the DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Group (DuMEG). Based on information derived from their interview with Solorio, officers searched his vehicle, which was parked at the preserve. During the interview, Solorio reportedly admitted that he had additional cannabis plants at his residence in Darien.
Officers searched Solorio’s residence and found 16 more cannabis plants growing in his yard. Officers also found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of cannabis in a shed in Solorio’s yard.
Combined estimated street value of the cannabis plants found at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve and Solorio’s residence was $99,880. Investigative support from DuMEG included assistance during the search of the residence and in evidence processing. Darien Police Department detectives also assisted in the operation. Further investigation is pending.
Jury finds man guilty in 1981 road rage murder case DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced last week that a jury found 52-year–old Jesus Villarreal, formerly of Addison, guilty of first-degree murder in the 1981 shooting death of then 23-year-old John Spoors, also of Addison. The verdict was entered Aug. 27 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin, who presided over the trial.
At approximately 8 a.m. on Aug. 29, 1981, Spoors and a co-worker were on their way to work when their vehicle was involved in a “road rage” incident with a vehicle driven by Villarreal. After the initial incident, Spoors and his co-worker stopped at a local restaurant. Several minutes later however, armed with a hand gun, Villarreal returned to the parking lot of the restaurant and confronted Spoors and the co-worker.
Villarreal opened fire on the men, shooting Spoors in the back as he ran away. He then fled the scene in his vehicle. With the assistance of Spoors’ co-worker, Villarreal was quickly identified as the shooter and an arrest warrant was issued for him that day.
After the murder, Villarreal left the United States and settled in Mexico. On Jan. 8, 2008, acting on a tip and with the assistance of the FBI and Mexican authorities, Villarreal was apprehended in Zacatecas, Mexico. After a lengthy extradition process, Villarreal returned to Illinois in late 2008 to face the charges against him. “The defendant ran like a coward to Mexico where he lived all these years, free to work and raise a family,” commented Birkett. "Meanwhile, the Spoors family waited patiently, praying that one day justice would be served. Today is that day.”
The six-person jury deliberated approximately four hours before returning a verdict. Villarreal’s next scheduled court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 24, for return of the pre-sentencing report. Since the crime happened in 1981, Villarreal will be sentenced according to guidelines in place at that time. He faces up to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and must serve 50 percent of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
