Lawsuit filed against Rolling Meadows over barricades

According to a lawsuit, the Rolling Meadows Police Department has violated the civil rights of about 2,000 residents every day since June 9 by barricading entrances to their apartment complex and checking everyone who leaves and enters.

"People are walled in and treated like they live in a prison without regard for their constitutional rights," said Chicago civil rights lawyer Blake Horwitz at a news conference on Tuesday that he hosted with another lawyer, Elliot Richardson.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Michael Sparks, the owner of the complex. Today, Horwitz will ask a judge to order that the 13 barricades be removed at 12 Oaks at Woodfield apartments, which is located on a 34-acre parcel southwest of Route 53 and Algonquin Road.

Sparks was out of town and not at the news conference.

More Coverage Links Checkpoints could stick around [6/11/08]Project can't happen without financing, developer says [6/11/08] Police set up checkpoint at Rolling Meadows apartment complex [6/10/08]

The lawsuit names Rolling Meadows City Manager Tom Melena, Police Chief Steven Williams, unknown Rolling Meadows police officers and the city of Rolling Meadows.

Melena, Mayor Ken Nelson and Williams also were out of town on Tuesday.

Rolling Meadows Deputy Chief Dave Scanlan declined to comment on the lawsuit because he hadn't seen a copy of it on Tuesday.

Scanlan did say that Sparks underestimates the level of crime at his complex.

"If Mr. Sparks was concerned about crime, you'd think he'd be in here talking to us and not in federal court," Scanlan said. "He doesn't think there is a problem, but we do. People who live there are mad and upset and want us to do something."

Domestic violence, theft and noise complaints are common at 12 Oaks, he said.

Last week, police blocked off the entrances with concrete barriers and construction horses and ran a checkpoint in front of the only open driveway. Every driver who entered was stopped.

Williams has said police are passing out pamphlets on crime prevention and social services but not asking for identification.

Horwitz and Richardson disagree.

"We know of several people who were asked for identification," Richardson said. "Some people were asked where they were going, who they were going to see and how long they were going to be there. That can be very intimidating."

Scanlan denied that claim and said officers are given a script on what to say.

"We are videotaping and reviewing every contact our officers have with residents to make sure they aren't asking for identification," he said. "If that does come into question, we have some backing."

There have been no citations or arrests at 12 Oaks since the checkpoints started, he added.

Miguel Arceo, the general manager of 12 Oaks, said at the news conference there is no major crime there and that police refuse to hand over specific crime statistics.

"Residents are frustrated," Arceo said. "They are treated like they live in a prison."

Pine Tree Commercial Realty of Northbrook has an option to buy the complex to build department stores, office towers, senior housing and at least one hotel. Two strip malls and a car wash also would be demolished.

Replacing 12 Oaks, formerly known as Woodfield Gardens, is something city planners have had on their wish list for some time. Its location near the Schaumburg convention center and a train stop along the proposed Suburban Transit Access Route, or STAR line, fueled redevelopment plans.

Crime at 12 Oaks

The rate of auto thefts and burglaries at 12 Oaks at Woodfield so far this year was about three times the average for suburban Cook County based on crime statistics compiled by the Illinois State Police for 2006.

Police say they responded to the following calls between Jan. 1 and April 23:

bull; 43 noise complaints

bull; 32 domestic disputes

bull; 11 criminal damage to vehicles reports

bull; 5 motor vehicle thefts

bull; 11 burglaries

Source: Rolling Meadows police