Forest Park police summoned assistance from neighboring police departments Friday night to get reinforcements during the closing hours of Summer Fest at Beloit and Madison, Friday night. Police reported “huge crowds” of teenagers entered the festival around 10:30 p.m. and began to disrupt the festival. Signs posted near the music stages said no one was permitted under age 18 without a parent.
Police reports describe a “large group” of male teenagers who began to run westbound on Madison Street through the crowds, “pushing through the festival without regard for the safety of patrons, including children.” One 18-year-old from Maywood was seen sprinting through the crowd and was ordered to stop but refused. The officer performed an emergency takedown of the teenager, who then stopped and complied. Two teen girls from Bellwood were arrested for fighting. Officers also arrested two other teens, one from Maywood, the other address not given. The teens were given local ordinance tickets for reckless conduct and resisting or obstructing an officer.
One 21-year-old Forest Park man became belligerent when police were clearing out Madison Street around 12:18 a.m. Saturday and asking pedestrians to walk north or south on Desplaines Avenue. The man told police he lived on Harlem and wanted to walk directly home. He allegedly became belligerent as he was being arrested, then screamed, cursed and flailed, allegedly causing the officer to get his thumb caught and twisted in the handcuff chain, resulting in a laceration, swelling and bruising. He was charged with one count of obstructing a peace officer, resisting arrest and battery.
Police also arrested a 23-year-old Forest Park man for public intoxication and disorderly conduct at 11:10 p.m. for swearing and yelling at festival patrons.
