good maybe we can get the cops to go back on working with the citizens instead of screwing them

James,

Although I can't say for sure, maybe the aggressive approach was designed to advance a career more than anything. Prosecutors often step all over people, seeking a finding of guilt, regardless of the merit, in order to advance their own careers. I am not sure if this is true in our community but I have watched our once friendly looking police vehicles that were white and beige morph into very aggressive looking white and black and somewhat paramilitary appearance I hope Elmhurst is able to promote from within, as we have some very good talent and it would add to the morale but ultimately I hope the very best candidate is placed, one that the officers can truly respect and who will elevate our department in every way possible. Crime is on the rise and we need to really focus on this. Priorities seem to have sometimes shifted to adding numbers and picking the "low hanging fruit".

Tinley Park is blessed with much retail business which adds to the tax base. I hope this might not suggest or be an indicator of economic distress that Elmhurst might be facing and thus a career move as a result. Perhaps I speculate too much.

Jim, I had the same impression about the change in the police cars. You can look at the city budget summary for the past few years and the dramatic increase in tickets issued is there in black and white.

Judging how many D.U.I's are issued at 2 in the morning no wonder we have a rash of break-ins during daylight hours. Most of the police are home sleeping while these burglars troll our neighborhoods. Also, I would be interested in what the Chief will be making in Tinley Park, he's clearly near the end of his career and I wonder what kind of bump his pension will be getting and how much Elmhurst will be on the hook for?

It also occurs to me that all of the possible training provided to the Police Chief provided by the Elmhurst budget and taxpayers, will be for what? The pension issue is also a possible loss for the community.

Is there any possibility that the pending trial concerning the residents arrested on St. Patty's Day will bring unfavorable publicity?

Perhaps I should drink less coffee.

"The Elmhurst Police Department has long had an excellent record and interaction with citizens, businesses and other organizations," according to a press release received at 4 p.m. Friday.
Who was responsible for this press release? They should be easy to find if what happened to Pinocchio was true.

If I were a leader of an organization, city, state, or Federal Government, I would take a deep look at every level of what I was leading and seek constant improvement. I would never accept the status quo or go along to get along, which seems so prevalent. I would foster teamwork and pride in members of the organization and I would do what was in the best interest of those we serve. Instead self interest seems to driving force behind many "leaders". I tend to blame the public because we get the leaders we deserve. A true statesman, who according to Plato (actually a philosopher is what he said) would never get elected in our modern age. We have become shallow and superficial. Give us our bread and circuses, grant us our entitlements, and we will do as you wish. We are a nation adrift. I think the greatest recruiting tool that we could ever provide for terrorists is daytime television. Sorry for going off on a tangent. The coffee was good.

A Police force is spposed to "protect and serve" . but in recent years (under Neubauer) the force in Elmhurst has seemed more interested in making arrests whenever possible. They don't seem to care whether or not an arrest is truely warranted, but just whether or not they have grounds to make the arrest. This has caused a considerable divide to develop between many members of the community and the Police force. It's unfortunate that Neubauer ever had the opportunity to take the position as Chief of police, as the force certainly reflects the manner in which he wanted the force run. A more community friendly Chief is needed. One who is more concerned with patrolling neighborhoods to prevent burglaries and helping citizens, rather than just trying to make as many arrests (warrated or not) as possible. The incident at the Spring Inn mentioned above, is just one of many that has soured me on the Elmhurst Police force. Major changes need to be made and a kinder, friendlier force should be developed. Kids should see Police officers as their friend and someone to turn to. In Elmhurst, too often kids see them as jerks that hassle them for no good reason. Don't get me wrong, there are some kids that need to be kept in line, but most kids in Elmhurst are good kids and yet they hate the cops. When an officer is investigating a crime, how helpful is someone going to be if they view the Police officers in that town with disdain? Neaubauer...good riddens.

GOOD RIDDENCE!

I truly hope that the City Manager and the Mayor do their best to pick a true leader who wants to serve and protect the community and do what is in the best interest of the community. I detest criminal behavior and do not have a problem with aggressive pursuit of these type of activities. Excessive ticketing for trivial issues undermines police credibility. Internet stings that entrap people into coming into Elmhurst are a waste of time and do nothing to protecting the public. It drives statistics and creates unneeded overtime. I as a citizen want to work with the police to truly prevent crime. This will maintain our property values and enhance our reputation as a community.

Can we have John Millner back? Elmhurst used to be a resident friendly town.

Adam,
'
I could agree with you on that but I am talking about prostitution stings that ask individuals to travel from distant locations and to meet at a local hotel. It hurts the hotel, gives the wrong impression of the town and therefore potentially impacts property values. It eats up man hours, creates overtime for Court appearances and negatively impacts our budget. Who benefits? The legal system and the police.

Batman (Adam West), how is Robin doing, ?

Why don't you complainers sign up for the Citizens Police Academy. It would allow you to be WEll informed about what police do.

Ralph,

It is not complaining, it is an observation. I am sure that the academy gives you are perspective about what police are supposed to do. Excluding Elmhurst, do you think that no policeman ever does wrong? Todays paper talks about Chicago Police taking money to protect gang members. Throughout the nation there are incident after incident of bad behaviors by police. Of course this is also true of politicians, priests, CEO's, coaches, teachers, etc. Only a very authoritarian personality would never question the fact that those in authority do bad things. It may be only a small minority but as they say. "One bad apple spoils the barrel" or that " A chain is only as strong as its weakest link". We have many good police officers but the direction of the police department has its share of detractors. Some of it must be valid. I am sure that our better officers want to work and be respected, as they should. There is nothing wrong with the concept of continued improvement. I know I sure could use improvement. I am not perfect. Pretty good, but definitely not perfect.

I for one am very proud of the Elmhurst police force and Chief Neubauer in particular and am sorry to see him leave and i intend to thank him personally for his years of dedicated service.. Over the last several years i have had several opportunities to interact with Chief Neubauer and have always found him to be pleasant to deal with and a true professional in every respect. Elmhurst has been fortunate blessed to have had a person of his caliber as its Police Chief.for the last several years. Ralph O'Connell is spot on with his comments. i have had the opportunity to attend the Citizens Police Academy and would encourage others to do so as well. THe Academy gives one a much better understanding of, and appreciation of the role of the police department. Good luck Chieh Neubauer. You have many friends in Elmhurst.
Richard Inskeep

Another public servant trying to enrich his pension. Let him go, the police here do seem aggressive and often rude, this guy must preach that.............

These comments really speak for themselves. They show what the ordinary citizen thinks of police, which in my humble opinion have failed to uphold justice, and only have continued to enforce unconstitutional or tyrannical laws, I do not like civil servants typically, they are more often than not, 30 lb blood sucking ticks, feeding off a 50 lb dog... (the tax payers)

Every day I seem to read about arrests that takeplace that in my opinion were cruel. Arresting a couple of guys in their 20's for drinking beer in a parked vehicle (the car was not running and keys were nowhere near the ignition) because they just wanted to have a cold beer and relax, without paying 4 dollars for a single beer at a bar. Yeah, they CAN be arrested, but should they? Rather thn having them face an arrest, court dates, a fine and a criminal record, why not instruct them to pour out the remaining beer from the opened cans and warn them about the laws pertaining to public consumption of alcohol? That way of handling the problem is gonna result in a more harmonious relationship between the citizen and the police force. No....this town prefers to arrest everyone it can. I'm sure their daily activity sheets are nice and full, but the community in large part is unhappy with their methoids and tactics. Neubauer has been an awful Chief of police, presiding over a change in the manner in which officers conduct themselves and treat the citizens. it's time to get back to a friendlier attitude and priorities of protecting the people,homes and businesses better and worrying about how many tickets/arrests can be made a lot less.

Well we need a cop that leads and is not afraid to go public and speak to the people of Elmhurst, a cop that cares about the citizens and is willing to work with the community for the best interest of the citizens, not to justify their jobs.
We need a chief that is accessible in the community so we can trust him.
Trust is the most important issue today

Who is using Wisconsin plates? I know it is not me.

good riddance to to the chief, who needs him. Let's hope the new guy or woman has some fresh ideas and actions, we do not need the old guy.