Naperville cops cite 14 for public urination

Naperville police say they cited 14 people over the weekend for urinating in public.

The offenses occurred in the downtown area, mostly near the Chicago Avenue parking garage, police said. The violators ranged in age from 22 to 36. Only one was from Naperville, the rest came from as far away as Springfield, Arlington Heights and Chicago.

"This was a concerted effort by the patrol tactical team and they were able to issue a number of citations," Cmdr. Dave Hoffman said.

Those caught urinating in public are subject to a $100 fine and must make a mandatory court appearance.

Hoffman said public urination is a problem that "crops up from time to time" in the city's downtown bustling with restaurants and bars.

"Many people are leaving at closing hour and either they choose not to use facilities or there are people in line and so forth," Hoffman said.

Police will continue to be on the lookout for violators.

Serious concerns about the issue were raised in 2006 and 2007 and the city council discussed the possibility of adding more public restrooms to the downtown area. The project never got off the ground, however, because of concerns with safety, maintenance and the cost.

There is currently a portable toilet near the Chicago Avenue parking garage.

People "just need to exercise common sense and plan their needs accordingly so they are not urinating in a public place," Hoffman said.