Police Chief Ken Gross and village staff met last week with local business owners at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon at village hall to talk about rising concerns along Madison Street with people who may be unhoused, dealing with addiction or mental health concerns, or are somehow disruptive.
It was a typically direct and honest conversation for Forest Park. Gross spelled out a range of issues that contribute to the complicated challenges – the Blue Line terminus, access to resources, and a reluctance by business owners to bring charges after an arrest. Village Administrator Rachell Entler was frank in acknowledging the village’s lack of social services for unhoused people and its efforts to gain support from existing nonprofits. Village Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, who serves on the Housing Forward board, credited Forest Park police for their compassionate care of people who they encounter on Madison Street.
A good conversation. A complicated problem that will only get worse as federal resources are starved out of our communities.