Latest news with #RickKrakow
Chicago Tribune
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Afternoon Briefing: Latest Naperville ‘teen takeover' results in multiple arrests
Good afternoon, Chicago. After Naperville police allegedly found a 14-year-old carrying a loaded, semiautomatic pistol at a downtown 'teen takeover' event last weekend, authorities are urging safety and, again, stressed they have zero tolerance for illicit behavior. 'While we encourage everyone to exercise their first amendment right and we encourage everyone to enjoy what the downtown provides, we need everyone to do that lawfully,' Naperville police Cmdr. Rick Krakow said. 'There's going to be zero tolerance for any sort of criminal behavior, from trespassing to disorderly conduct to fighting.' Since May 1, there have been seven planned teen takeover events in Naperville, each with varying degrees of participation, Krakow said. The latest, held Saturday, resulted in five arrests, including that of the 14-year-old, who was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, authorities said. Charges in other arrests included disorderly conduct and battery. Here's what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration never undertook a formalized national search for a new CTA president despite the mayor saying last month that his office had in fact done so, according to responses to public records requests made by the Tribune. Read more here. More top news stories: After two years of rain-soaked July Fourth weekend events, could the NASCAR Chicago Street Race be heading west to eternally sunny San Diego? Chicago is set to host the third annual street race July 5-6 on a pop-up course in and around Grant Park, completing an inaugural three-year agreement with NASCAR. The deal, struck during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration, includes a two-year renewal option. Read more here. More top business stories: The Chicago Sky lead the league in turnovers per game (18.7) and opponent points off turnovers (20.5). A staggering 23.4% of the Sky's offensive possessions result in a turnover. This weakness ballooned into a full-on crisis against the Mystics as the Sky hemorrhaged points, giving up 40 on 22 turnovers — 1.8 points per. Read more here. More top sports stories: Watching MJ Lenderman at the Salt Shed yesterday was to be reminded of the curious power of exhaustion. It's a beautiful, humid, rickety sound. You can hear in it why the sighs of Neil Young became inextricable from Watergate-era malaise, and how Lenderman, 50 years later, sounds like both a throwback to strung-out singer-songwriters of the '70s and very much of his own time. Read more here. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations, but became more widely observed after former President Joe Biden designated it a federal holiday in 2021. It is recognized at least as an observance in every state, and nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C., have designated it as a permanent paid or legal holiday through legislation or executive action. Read more here. More top stories from around the world:
Chicago Tribune
13 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
‘Teen takeover' event in downtown Naperville Saturday attracted 150 people, resulted in 5 arrests, police say
After Naperville police allegedly found a 14-year-old carrying a loaded, semiautomatic pistol at a downtown 'teen takeover' event last weekend, authorities are urging safety and, again, stressed they have zero tolerance for illicit behavior. 'While we encourage everyone to exercise their first amendment right and we encourage everyone to enjoy what the downtown provides, we need everyone to do that lawfully,' Naperville police Cmdr. Rick Krakow said. 'There's going to be zero tolerance for any sort of criminal behavior, from trespassing to disorderly conduct to fighting.' Since May 1, there have been seven planned teen takeover events in Naperville, each with varying degrees of participation, Krakow said. The latest, held Saturday, resulted in five arrests, including that of the 14-year-old, who was charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon, authorities said. Charges in other arrests included disorderly conduct and battery, Krakow said, adding that he had no reports of injuries from the incidents. Police estimated about 150 people were involved with Saturday's takeover. Asked when the gathering took place, Krakow couldn't give an exact time but said that 'when the sun starts to go down, the activity tends to ramp up.' Police were aware of the gathering ahead of time as it had been advertised on social media and assigned eight to 10 officers to be there, he said. There also were a few school resource officers patrolling the downtown as part of their normal assignment when schools aren't in session, Krakow said. Even prior to the takeover, downtown Naperville was abuzz with activity. At the Naperville Municipal Center, a few thousand demonstrators gathered for a 'No Kings' rally while Naperville's fourth annual Juneteenth celebration took place over at Rotary Hill. And along Jackson Avenue, there was a classic car show. Despite the activity, staffing the events 'was not an issue,' Krakow said. 'Staffing those events, especially all in one day, can be difficult,' he said. 'But the men and women of the Naperville Police Department are dedicated and committed to the safety of everyone downtown or any area where there's going to be large gatherings.' In the wake of Saturday's takeover, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the 14-year-old's arrest on firearm-related charges was a 'wake-up call' and 'reminder that safety isn't something that we can take for granted.' 'Our kids need us,' he wrote. 'They need mentors, guidance, support, and, sometimes, someone to step in before things go too far. We can't afford to look the other way. If you see a young person struggling, reach out. If something feels wrong, report it.' Speaking to the incident, Krakow addressed parents and guardians, urging them to 'know where and what your teenager is participating in.' Naperville police previously emphasized zero tolerance for unlawfulness after two takeover events took place the weekend of May 17-18, leading to the issuance of numerous citations and two arrests. There were similar incidents in 2023, including one in which police had to be dispatched downtown to break up a group of about 150. Such gatherings are not unique to Naperville. Takeovers have become commonplace in Chicago's downtown neighborhoods over the past few years.
