Tonight I overheard this - "Some folks from Chicago were in town and went to the Square on Saturday evening. They didn't stay long - they didn't feel safe."
Wow! Right here in little ol' Woodstock.
Well, folks; here's what I say: "The Square is our Square. You should be able to go there at any time of day or night and feel safe. Safe from the punks and the gangs. Safe from skateboarders and loiterers. Safe from unruly people and foul language. Safe from people relieving themselves in the Square itself."
Let's "Take Back the Square." If you are a target or are harassed or in any way made to feel uncomfortable, they'd I'd say that you have reason to feel "alarmed or disturbed" and that your peace has been breached.
Get on your cell phone and call the Woodstock Police Department. Tell the telecommunicator what is going on and request a police officer to meet you there. Point out the people who are bothering you and tell the cop that you want them arrested. Be willing to go to court and testify as to what happened that alarmed or disturbed you and breached your peace.
Start going to the Square regularly and sitting on a bench to enjoy it. And take this number with you: 815-338-2131. Program it into your cell phone right now!
"Woodstock City Code Section 4.6.1: DISORDERLY CONDUCT:
"No person shall commit disorderly conduct. As stated in 720 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/26-1, a person commits disorderly conduct when he or she knowingly:
A. Does any act in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another and to provoke a breach of the peace."
© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT
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