District 1 - dangerous for campaign workers

Got a call at 6:13PM about two political campaign workers in District 1 who were assaulted tonight.

When they went to a door on the east side of the Fox River and about seven blocks south of Algonquin Road and rang the bell, they were greeted ("greeted" must not be the right word) by the homeowner, who smelled of beer. He assaulted the man and then hit the campaign worker's wife. They left the property quickly. (Maybe the ringing doorbell interrupted Wheel of Fortune or something.)

They dialed 9-1-1, and an Algonquin Police officer showed up. But he was uncertain of the jurisdiction and whether the address in question was actually in the Village of Algonquin or in McHenry County, and he refused to go to the door of the man who committed the assaults. The officer parked down the street and apparently told his dispatcher to notify the Sheriff's Department.

No deputy had yet arrived, and I suggested that the person contacting me call the Sheriff's Department directly and get an ETA of the deputy. And, if it was going to be very long, to request the dispatcher to seek assistance from Algonquin and have the Algonquin officer return. A deputy finally showed up about 7:00PM.

Be careful going to doors, even if you are in your own neighborhood. And, if you are assaulted or threatened, go immediately to a safe place and dial 9-1-1.

The elderly couple are at Sherman Emergency Care and being treated at this time. Hopefully, the deputy is back at the residence where it happened and taking the perp into custody.