Crime & Safety

Police Chief: No Need to Panic Over Gun-Toting Robber

Following the robbery at gun-point of a young couple in Oak Forest Sunday night, Chief Greg Anderson talks about Oak Forest's crime rates, the robbery itself and what residents can do to protect themselves and their neighborhood.

"We're not in Oak Forest anymore, Toto"—or are we?

Following the robbery of a young couple at gunpoint at Gene Leonard Park, residents and readers are on-edge about crime in the Oak Forest community. Many reacted with their concerns on the Oak Forest Patch Facebook page, while others aired their frustrations on Oak Forest Patch. Some think the crime rate has picked up, while others think it's been steady—but there all along. 

  • Corinne McCleish: this is the park right on 149th across from the school right? That is close to my my parents' house. Creepy! I have been hearing of a lot of crimes in oak fo lately! :/
  • Scott Slonski: So many kids there all day and evening...this deserves an increased police presence for the summertime. I hope the school puts some pressure on the city for assistance.
  • Jenna Rush Zubrzycki: Nice...this is where the Kerkstra kids go out & play at recess...
  • Amanda Aggen: I know we don't live in the safest of neighborhoods, but seriously? This is not far from where I live. I hope these guys get caught... sounded like a sloppy escape.
  • Dave: Crime happens everywhere. No community is safe from it. Maybe less susceptible to certain crimes, but no place is 100% safe. ... The community needs to support its members. We are all stakeholders in Oak Forest and have a responsibility to keep it safe as possible, save for isolated unpredictable incidents. Even with this incident, I believe Oak Forest is one of the safer subdivisions in the area and this only serves as a reminder to stay aware of your surroundings. 

THE CHIEF'S TAKE

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Patch put a call in to  Chief Greg Anderson to discuss the crime, and what citizens can do to protect themselves and their community.

"Since I've been here, that area has been a historically low crime area," Anderson said of the robbery. "There have been no other crimes like that. Again, the area is very good. At this time, I certainly wouldn't tell anybody there's any need to panic, one way or the other."

Find out what's happening in Oak Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Anderson said that first and foremost, the incident was isolated and doesn't appear to be part of any pattern, but it could be a start. February's police call statistics listed 12 instances of burglary, zero robberies and zero home invasions. In a crime index of Oak Forest and surrounding areas, one data website ranks Oak Forest at a "very low" crime index of 128—lower than that of Midlothian (239.1), Crestwood (250.7) and Country Club Hills (298.2). 

"I hate to say this, and I don't want to jinx us, but there always has to be one starting somewhere," he said. "But, again, this is so atypical of Oak Forest that we just don't have these types of crimes generally."

Anderson went on to explain that the police are currently working with other departments in the area to apprehend the perpetrators, but that no arrests is forthcoming, yet.

"It's premature for me to say, at this point, that we've got any leads or that an arrest is imminent, or anything like that," he said. “That would be way premature for me to say something like that."

WHAT YOU CAN DO

To combat the possibility of similar crimes occurring in the area, Anderson said residents should report any unusual or suspicious people they see. He said calls will be investigated and although most of the time it's nothing, it doesn't hurt to be too safe.

"Even if you're not seeing them do anything wrong, your gut is telling you something and you should call us at that point," he said.

Chief Anderson added that most crimes in Oak Forest happen along 159th Street, as criminals are drawn to the numerous businesses. He went on to say that within neighborhoods, crime can happen throughout Oak Forest and not just in one particular area.

"Crime in Oak Forest is very well-dispersed," he said. "I will say this, no neighborhood is immune to crime and none susceptible to crime. They're all about the same."


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