Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident alleges police kicked a homeless man; council took no formal action
Summary
During public comment, Christian Olsen said he witnessed police officers kick a homeless man beneath a bench near Madison and Des Plaines and noted recent anti-homeless bench modifications. The council acknowledged the comment but did not record a response or action.
During the public-comment period at the May 12 Village Council meeting, resident Christian Olsen described witnessing what he said was police misconduct on the morning of the meeting.
Olsen said he observed the incident at about 9:45 a.m. at Madison and Des Plaines and described finding a homeless man lying under a bench. He told the council, "police responded to him by waking up by kicking him, which I thought was inappropriate." Olsen also raised concern about recent changes to benches that include bars intended to prevent people from lying down, calling that an increase in "anti-homeless architecture." He said he observed the incident from Municipal Lot 6 and wanted the matter brought to public attention.
The council acknowledged Olsen’s comment with a brief thank-you; no council member recorded a follow-up action or a formal response in the meeting transcript. The public-comment period then closed and the meeting proceeded with the agenda.
Olsen’s remarks were the only public comment recorded in the transcript for the evening. The council did not announce any investigation, referral to police oversight, or staff follow-up during the meeting record.
