Cops stake out top of doughnut shop

It might not be a shock to see a couple of Fox Lake squad cars parked outside of Dunkin' Donuts in the morning.

But it is a bit weird to see the officers sitting on the building's roof and using a bullhorn to yell to customers as they head for a doughnut or a cup of coffee.

"It's all for a good cause," Police Chief Mike Behan said. "The bullhorn works the best. This really makes them run or donate. It's great."

Lt. Jeff Norris and Mayor Cindy Irwin joined Behan on the roof of the store at Route 12 and Grand Avenue as part of the Special Olympics/Dunkin' Donuts "Cop on a Rooftop" fundraiser.

Fox Lake joined 92 other departments across the state to raise funds for the charity from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. The statewide goal is $100,000, Norris said, while Fox Lake's goal was to raise $1,000.

"We achieved that at 8:30 a.m." he said. "We have a very giving community."

In all, they raised $2,500.

This was Fox Lake's first time participating in this fundraiser. It has been part of the Special Olympics Polar Plunge for the past two years.

Irwin said she joined Norris and Behan to show support for police and Special Olympics.

"I figured it was worth me being up here," she said. "The funny thing is some people offered to donate $500 if I stayed up here and never came down."

Other Lake County police departments that participated in the event include Deerfield, Mundelein, Round Lake Beach and Vernon Hills.