Oak Park Police prepare for a safe Halloween weekend 

Last year, the “Teen Takeover” of Downtown Oak Park on Halloween evening shook the village and other surrounding communities, with lasting impacts still being discussed today. Hundreds of teens gathered on Lake Street. They were later dispersed by officers from Oak Park and multiple other police agencies. This year, police say they are prepared to keep the community safe and get ahead of any disruptions. At this time, there have not been any threats of a similar event, according to the police department. However, they are “aware of concerns” for a potential large gathering and community activities. In a statement, the department wrote that police officers will “maintain a visible presence throughout the community and will respond to incidents that threaten public safety.”  The police department is also encouraging parents and guardians to speak with their teens ahead of the holiday weekend about “making good decisions, respecting others, and understanding that disruptive or