Residents criticize delay in police communications about July incident; chief says investigators protected victims and the probe

Residents raised concerns during the village’s public-comment period about the timing and content of police communications after an incident in July involving two local residents. Several speakers said the community felt "kept in the dark" and asked why a public notification took months.

"I wanna know why did that take so long," Kathleen Martz told the board. She and other speakers said the delay left victims and some community members feeling betrayed and described unhelpful social-media speculation.

Police Chief (last name Dolan, referred to as chief) responded that investigators identified the alleged offenders early and "we felt we had put a stop to it," but that gathering evidence — particularly electronic data and court-ordered materials — required months. "It was a multi-month process," the chief said. He said the investigation involved the department’s detectives and coordinated work with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, juvenile division and adult felony review unit. He also confirmed the unit treated the matter as a hate-crime investigation while examining motive, but said investigators ultimately "did not believe the [sexual] orientation was the motive" and that the matter will continue to be resolved through the courts.

The chief explained the department’s communications choices: releasing partial or premature information can jeopardize investigations and can retraumatize victims, so the department limited detail in public statements while investigators worked with victims and prosecutors to gather and preserve evidence. He said detectives had contact with the people involved within days and worked with parents of juveniles where applicable. "We treated this from day 1 as a hate crime. We examined it as such. At the end of the day, we do not believe the sexual orientation was the motive," the chief said, adding he could not disclose other investigatory details that could affect court proceedings.

The mayor and the chief both acknowledged the community’s concern and stressed the department’s caution in balancing transparency with investigative needs. Martz said she remained concerned about whether similar activity had occurred in neighboring communities and whether earlier advisory notices could have reduced social-media harm; the chief reiterated the department’s caution when an active investigation is underway.

The board did not take action on the matter during the meeting; the chief said investigators remain engaged with victims and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.