Submitted By
Shatonya Johnson, Chief of Police
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
Presentation on Proposed Tow Zones for the 1150 to 1200 Blocks of South Cuyler, Highland, and Harvey Avenues
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Overview
Overview
The Oak Park Police Department proposes an ordinance that establishes tow zones in the Village at the 1150-1200 blocks of South Cuyler, Highland, and Harvey Avenues from 10:00 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., seven days a week. The ordinance would allow residential-only parking during these times. The tow zone ordinance is in response to long-standing resident complaints regarding the unruly late-night behavior of patrons of Mike’s Place Sports Bar and Grill, located at 6319 W Roosevelt, Berwyn.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the ordinance establishing a parking in tow zones with limited exceptions. The Police Department would contract with the current towing company at no additional cost to tow all vehicles violating the parking restriction. Block residents would override the Tow Zone restriction by possessing an active Village Vehicle License. Block residents with an active Village Vehicle License could also obtain guest passes through the ParkOakPark application to override the Tow Zone restriction. No physical permits or passes would be issued and compliance would be enforced via the vehicle’s license plate number.
Background
The business at 6319 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn currently known as Mike’s Place Sports Bar and Grill has been the source of numerous late-night disturbances that have spilled over into Oak Park on the 1150 blocks of S. Cuyler, S. Harvey, and S. Highland Avenues. Over the years, the Police Department has implemented various strategies to address the quality of life calls for services, including public intoxication, fighting, littering, urinating, and other inappropriate behavior.
Initially, while maintaining regular communication with the residents, the Police Department made the following efforts:
1. Communicating with the owner of Mike’s Place;
2. Mike’s patrons were initially parking in the Dollar Tree’s parking lot located at 6226 Roosevelt Rd;
3. Implemented ‘Resident Only’ parking restrictions on the 1150 blocks of S. Cuyler Ave, S. Highland Ave, and S. Harvey;
4. Deployed the speed trailer and displayed “Resident Only Parking;”
5. Strictly enforced parking restrictions;
6. Met with residents from the 1150 block of Cuyler;
7. Met with Berwyn Police Department’s leadership;
8. Obtained advanced notice of special events from the management staff at Mike’s Place; and
9. Closely monitored the area on the night of special events.
These strategies were short-lived solutions to a problem that has been developing into more serious with the occurrence of violent incidents. In early February, the Police Department held a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the temporary solution that was instituted until a permanent plan could be implemented. Effective January 2023, the Police Department initiated an overtime detail designed to provide a consistent, sustained, and highly visible police presence on weekends near Mike’s Place. Three officers were assigned to stationary posts on the 1150 block of Cuyler, Highland, and Harvey from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The officers’ primary responsibilities were to advise patrons of the parking restriction and direct them to park elsewhere. While the feedback from both officers and residents has been positive, this practice is not sustainable and cost prohibitive.
Fiscal Impact
N/A
DEI Impact
The proposal is in response to multiple complaints from residents regarding patrons of a minority-owned business, Mike’s Place Sports Bar and Grill at 6319 West Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. The Department has identified an increased number of calls for service requiring police response associated with this business (disturbances, public urination, fights). In addition, there have been several high-profile incidents, including 2 shootings (one in May 2022 and one in November 2022). This is despite a previous effort to address these issues with a resident-only parking restriction that allowed Officers to cite (but not tow) vehicles parked on these blocks that were not registered to residents. The resident-only restriction is largely ignored, with only 36% of citations actually being paid (as of December 2022). The Department has engaged in outreach with impacted residents and the business owner as well. A widely attended community meeting was held in early February 2023. At this meeting, was not only concerned Oak Park residents, but the owner of Mike’s place as well. There will be continual engagement in every aspect of this process. This proposal also takes into consideration the environmental impacts of an increased tow truck presence in Oak Park.
Alternatives
Adopt the ordinance establishing a parking in tow zones with limited exceptions. The Police Department would contract with the current towing company at no additional cost to tow all non-residential vehicles violating the parking restriction. Block residents would override the Tow Zone restriction by possessing an active Village Vehicle License. Block residents with an active Village Vehicle License could also obtain guest passes through the ParkOakPark application to override the Tow Zone restriction. No physical permits or passes would be issued and compliance would be enforced via a vehicle’s license plate number.
Advantages:
(1) Relieve officers from the stationary post;
(2) Encourage the public to follow the parking restriction;
(3) Improve the quality of life for residents in the area;
(4) Reduce the calls for service.
Disadvantages:
(1) Patrons will return, find their vehicles have been towed, become upset, and may cause a disturbance.
Alternative A - “Parking in a Tow Zone,” No Exceptions
All vehicles parked between the restricted hours would be towed with no exceptions for residents’ guests.
Alternative ‘A’ - Advantages:
(1) The tow truck drivers would not have to verify if the vehicle owner is a guest.
Disadvantages:
(1) The residents’ guests are subject to the same restrictions.
Alternative ‘B’ - Continue with Stationary Post
Advantages:
(1) Restore peace in the area;
(2) Officer’s Presence in the area;
(3) Minimized parking violators.
Disadvantages:
(1) Not sustainable due to staffing restraints;
(2) cost prohibitive.
Alternative ‘C’ - Monitor the Area without Stationary Post
Advantages:
(1) Police Presence;
(2) no added cost.
Disadvantages:
(1) Increase calls for service;
(2) High probability of violent incidents;
(3) Increase parking violators. The Board could delay action and seek additional information.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
• Public Notice - Install signage
• Community Engagement - Notify the residents of the modified ordinance and the tow zones.
• Enhanced Enforcement - Police Presence during the initial implementation of the tow zones.
• Proactive Communication - Notify Mike’s Place and request they warn their patrons of the tow zone.
• Monitor and Evaluate - Staff will continue to monitor the area and evaluate the effectiveness of the tow zone.
• Speed Table -The installation of the speed table on the 1150 block of S. Cuyler Ave. is scheduled for summer 2023.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A