Rolling Meadows takes down controversial barriers

All the barricades blocking entrances to a big Rolling Meadows apartment complex will be removed by noon today, city officials said.

"Our attorney said why not take them down early and show a little good faith effort to the court," Rolling Meadows City Manager Tom Melena said. "We still think it was the right thing to do."

On June 9, Rolling Meadows police blocked off 13 of the entrances to 12 Oaks at Woodfield with concrete barriers and ran a checkpoint every day in front of the only open driveway. Every driver who entered during the day was stopped.

More Coverage Links Lawsuit filed against Rolling Meadows over barricades [6/17/08] Rolling Meadows apartment checkpoints could last the summer [6/11/08] Police set up checkpoint at Rolling Meadows apartment complex [6/10/08]

Police passed out pamphlets on crime prevention and social services. They didn't ask for identification or driver's licenses, Melena said.

But the operators of the complex complained that the barricades were making apartments unrentable and violating tenants' rights.

Miguel Arceo, the general manager of 12 Oaks, said he is "very relieved" the barricades are coming down.

"We saw police starting to remove them on Monday," he said. "We asked them what was going on, but they said they couldn't tell us."

Domestic violence, theft and noise complaints are common at the complex, which houses about 2,000 people, Police Chief Steven Williams has said. The checkpoint and having two uniformed officers at the complex every day will reduce those crimes, he said.

Police took down the chains around some apartment entrances on Monday, Melena said. On Tuesday, they started removing the barricades. All barricades should be removed by this afternoon -- a day before city officials have a court appearance, Melena said Tuesday.

Last week, Michael Sparks, the owner of 12 Oaks, filed a lawsuit asking a judge to order that the barricades be removed. The complex is on a 34-acre parcel immediately southwest of Route 53 and Algonquin Road.

According to the lawsuit, the Rolling Meadows police department violated the civil rights of the residents with the barricades. The lawsuit names Melena, Williams, unidentified Rolling Meadows police officers and the city of Rolling Meadows.

Despite the lawsuit, Rolling Meadows officials still believe the barricades accomplished their goal -- to make 12 Oaks residents feel safer.

"I know some people will sit back and say what we did was too forceful," Melena said. "But we knew we were right all along."

Police passed out a letter to residents on Monday, thanking them for their patience during the checkpoints and barricades.

"We expect that together we can reduce the potential for criminal behavior and eliminate the intimidation and fear caused by outside influences in your neighborhood," the letter states.

The letter said police will patrol the complex on foot and bicycles. And on Saturday, police will conduct voluntary inspections in front of the apartments to help people be sure car seats are installed correctly.

The lawsuit filed by Sparks will continue to make its way through the court system.

Melena said he is confident the city will win.

"It's going to be fun," he said. "I think we're going to make case law as a valid way to do community policing and protect the area."