Saturday Soapbox: Cook and Lake counties

Rolling Meadows on risky course

In barricading entrances to an apartment complex and setting up a police checkpoint, Rolling Meadows officials say they were responding to a high number of calls for service from the area and a survey that showed residents wanted more police action. But the image presented is reminiscent of photos from war zones or occupied countries and the barricades have sparked a lawsuit charging violation of civil rights. One wonders if less draconian measures, such as foot patrols or a satellite police office in the complex, wouldn't be as effective at less cost to the city's image.

Fun, until the house catches fire

As many Daily Herald readers have commented, probably all of us did stupid things at age 13, and many of us were just lucky we didn't burn down our houses in the process. A Hoffman Estates 13-year-old wasn't so lucky: The fireworks he set off Wednesday likely did cause a fire at his house, authorities said. Then again, he's lucky to be alive and lucky there wasn't more damage done to the house -- or anyone else's. So let's the hope the rest of us learn the lesson the easy way as the Fourth of July approaches: Fireworks, even the sparkler variety, can cause fires and injuries. Leave the explosives to the professionals! Those displays are so much better, anyway.

Heed the warnings

If you have the urge to go fishing, do so where the river isn't raging. Four men, including a 76-year-old Chicago man, on Monday rented a rowboat so they could fish near the Stratton Lock Dam near McHenry. Three men were rescued. The Chicago man was not. The Fox River is a fine place for fishing, but not when Wisconsin empties its waters into ours at an alarming rate. Unless you're sandbagging to keep your house dry, stay away from the water.

PADS in need

With prices for gasoline, food, utilities and other essentials going through the roof these days, it's easy to keep your wallet in your pocket when someone asks for a donation. But the tight economy has resulted in cuts in local, state and federal funding for social service agencies designed to help people who have fallen on tough times. PADS Crisis Services Inc., Lake County's homeless shelter, is one of those in need. The truth is PADS may be in demand more than ever because those skyrocketing costs of living, coupled with foreclosures and job cuts, have left many people without homes. During the past year, PADS has provided nearly 25,000 nights of emergency shelter, and more than 327,000 meals. State Sen. Susan Garrett of Lake Forest is leading an effort to raise $350,000 from public and private sources. We ask that you give when they come calling.

Triathlon déjà vu

After 11 years, the second-largest triathlon in Illinois is leaving Lake Zurich for neighboring Wauconda. The event's new organizers say they had no choice but to move after the Lake Zurich Property Owners Association increased participation fees six times over. Property owners say they had no choice but to increase the fees, since the village isn't subsidizing the event. Now, the property owners have organized their own triathlon, following the traditional route, on the same day as the Wauconda event. It's a shame the two sides couldn't find a way to compromise, but it's downright ridiculous to have two triathlons. It's a waste of time and money, and it makes the people of Lake Zurich look foolish. Yes, we know the cost of managing the lake has risen, and there's traffic and crowds to deal with. But the triathlon was a chance to showcase the community. The real losers here are the people of Lake Zurich.