Highwood council hears staff overview of four recent shootings; officials stress legal limits on disclosures

Council members and city officials spent the largest portion of Tuesday’s meeting addressing a string of firearm incidents that have unsettled Highwood residents and neighboring communities. City staff outlined four incidents between June 7 and July 20— including a June 7 bar-related shooting at Santee’s, reported shots on June 22 and July 17 near Highwood Avenue and Grove, and a July 20 shooting on Walker Avenue in adjacent Highland Park — and described arrests or charges where they have been filed.

The city attorney told the meeting the municipality is constrained in what it can disclose when juveniles may be involved: “the city is severely limited as to what kind of substantive updates and specifics they can give” about ongoing criminal investigations (Attorney, SEG 253–264). City staff said some incidents resulted in charges and warrants; staff identified 334 Prairie Avenue and an accessory dwelling near Highwood Avenue and Grove in their summary, and said one housing unit tied to incidents is now vacant and red-tagged (City Manager, SEG 335–406).

Residents pressed city leaders for more proactive measures. Rick Tender, a local resident, told the council: “If we think this is normal, we’re crazy,” and urged coordinated prevention efforts that would include police, schools, business groups and community organizations (Rick Tender, SEG 627, 765–773). Several speakers also urged a stronger landlord-accountability program and the city’s rental inspection work to be applied more aggressively.

City staff described interjurisdictional coordination after the Walker Avenue incident and said Highwood officers performed life-saving measures while working closely with Highland Park investigators: “Highland Park has been sending out updates on their investigation, but we can’t do anything to potentially mess up their investigation. We’re just in constant communication with them,” staff said (Police official / City Manager, SEG 439–446). Staff also noted that because the city must verify details with the investigating agency, it may take time—often up to about 30 minutes depending on the hour—to publish a verified alert to residents (City Manager, SEG 965–989).

Council did not adopt any new enforcement ordinance at the meeting. Instead, officials said they would continue criminal investigations, pursue landlord engagement and explore prevention and communication steps. Public comment closed and the meeting moved on to other agenda items.