Waukegan bans security screens over perception worries

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) - Council members in Waukegan have voted to ban and restrict certain types of security screens on businesses, saying they give the city north of Chicago a negative perception.

Mayor Wayne Motley said roll down metal screen security gates "provide an extremely negative image" and "give a grim perspective of the neighborhood." Motley is a former Waukegan police officer.

The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/1QSpgDG ) that the Waukegan City Council voted unanimously last week to ban one type of security screen and restrict use of another. Waukegan's law bans solid, roll down screens and restricts open-air roll down grills to the inside of windows and doors.

Gary Bennett owns Chicago-based National Shutter Systems. He says there has been a push to make shutters more aesthetically pleasing but argues nothing is more effective than a physical barrier.

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Information from: Lake County News-Sun, http://newssun.chicagotribune.com/