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Resident Focuses Video Camera on Lawn Signs

A Glen Ellyn resident is frustrated that signs declaring opposition to the plan to install lights at Memorial Field are being stolen. Over the weekend, some signs were replaced by "poop bags," according to residents.

As the debate over lights at Memorial Field continues, many homeowners who oppose lights are fed up with the increasing thefts and vandalism occurring on their properties. 

After numerous signs declaring opposition to the planned installation of lights were taken from a Glen Ellyn yard, one resident decided to install an extra set of eyes outside his home—a video camera—hoping to catch the perpetrators in action. 

"I'm not going to stand out in the bushes all day and all night," said a resident, who turned over numerous surveillance tapes to the police. 

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The resident requested to remain anonymous because he said the debate is so contentious that the theft of signs is now escalating to vandalism, and he doesn't want his home to be targeted.

According to a recent police report, one resident's flower pot was damaged and a sign opposing the installation of lights at Memorial Field, was taken.

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

Kirk Burger, president of the group opposing the lights, Our Field Our Town, said a rash of sign thefts occurred over the holiday weekend near his home and the neighborhood surrounding . In addition to those thefts, Burger said there are now incidents of "poop bags" being left on his lawn and others in the place of the missing yard signs.

"My real concern is that it's going to escalate and get out of hand," Burger said.

That's why the surveillance videos were handed over to authorities. The group is hoping the videos will put an end to the thefts and will make people think twice before nabbing the signs from private property.

In one video, a young female is seen walking onto a homeowner's property and taking the sign at 2:10 a.m. June 28. Another video, time dated 11:03 p.m. June 25, shows a young male wearing a backpack walking to the yard with two other males and taking the sign.

One of the more recent videos, from 11 p.m. July 1, shows what appears to be a minivan drive up and stop at the residence. Someone  then darts from the passenger side of the car, grabs the sign and runs back to the vehicle.

Even though there are quite a few yard signs missing, Deputy Chief Bill Holmer said there are few "additional incidents with the missing yard signs," meaning other acts of vandalism. Holmer did say the Glen Ellyn Police Department is reviewing the tapes, and will take "appropriate action."   


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