Arlington Heights limits garage sales after sexual assault

2-4-2015 Illinois:

Arlington Heights is now limiting garage sales, months after neighbors blamed an out-of-control number of such events for a home invasion and sexual assault in the Cedar Glen area.

A policy limiting the number of garage sales to three per year on residential property was approved Monday by the village board, according to a recording of the meeting posted on the village website. Garage sales now must be held between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and last no more than three consecutive days.

The move is in direct response to the community outcry following a crime that happened in September. A woman reported that she was sexually assaulted when her home in the 2400 block of South Embers Lane was broken into. Neighbors claimed the area was becoming unsafe due to a regular flood of strangers attending garage sales.

Some residents pointed to two homes in the residential area south of the Township High School District 214 headquarters for reportedly hosting frequent events that sometimes last for days and occur several times a month.

In approving the new policy, the village board agreed that it was necessary but debated how the new code amendment would be enforced and whether it was overreaching or unproductive.

The rule does not create a permitting process that would require residents to seek permission to host what is for some a decluttering tradition. Instead, the village's new local law will be addressed on the basis of complaints.

Those thought to be breaking the law would be cited for violating the municipal code. A law enforcement official would document every complaint in support of a ticket.

A judge in Cook County housing court would then likely hear the case, with a fine of up to $750 possible, village officials said.

Trustee Joseph Farwell commented that he didn't want a "permit to wipe our nose every time we sneeze" but that he "wouldn't be surprised" if permits were needed in the future to curb ordinance "abusers."

The village manager said the policy is meant to warn would-be offenders before a citation is necessary, while also avoiding an "overly elaborate process" for law-abiding residents.

But Trustee John Scaletta, who is running for reelection in April, said he was concerned that a judge would throw the cases out in a "he said,she said" situation.

"I'm all for doing something but I just want to make sure what we do is productive," Scaletta said. ..Source.. by Sally Ho