I've always felt pretty safe in Woodridge, but lately that is more questionable. The neighborhoods feel safer but all of the apartment complexes bring such a mix of people, that is where most of the trouble seems to be. At least as reported lately. You need an "I'm not sure" button for the poll.

We've lived in Woodridge since 1978, that's 34 years, and have always felt safe. However things seem to be changing in Woodridge - along with the demographics - that is just the fact. Nothing more, and nothing less is to be inferred or insinuated in that, and we still feel safe in our area. Except certain concentrated areas of Woodridge appear to be the problem where these major crimes are now occurring. THERE, I would not feel as safe and 'would take steps accordingly' if we lived there. In effect I basically agree with what Gina said.

ps: I recall when our worst 'crime problem' was graffiti being sprayed on the underpass walkway walls between Lake Harriet and Lake Carlton. Unfortunately those days are long gone.

Do I feel safe and secure in my neigborhood or safe and secure in Woodridge. The survey question and the headline of the article are asking different questions. I would like to see a map pinpointing where felony type crimes are taking place, along with stats if these are residents or outside people. This might help clear up some of the nasty comments. As for me, I feel safe in my neighborhood for the most part, though I do lock my doors and put my cars in the garage at night. When I read about some of this more serious stuff going on, I've realized I need to get my head out of the sand.

I agree with Mike G. I feel safe in the confines of my street but have known for some time that the village has been changing. A close friend who is in law enforcement has too many stories for me to feel safe in this town anymore. All the section 8 housing is a huge issue and although Waterbury is supposed to be condos they were instead bought by a couple of investors who have only turned around and rented them out at low rates. If you were to look at the pinpoints as Heather mentions the concentration would no doubt be in Waterbury and Natural Falls.

So according to the article May was a busy month. O.k., so let's look at this. Meth lab found in an apartment (Topeka man). Car jacking at Kohl's (Coal City man). Shooting on Janes Ave. (Nothing in articles about offender). So two out of three are confirmed out of towners. Also, these people have been CAUGHT by the Police. I could understand people not feeling safe if these people got away. However, they didn't. So if people want to say they don't feel safe in Woodridge, then they need to analyze these isolated incidents more closely. The lab, could've happened anywhere, just so happened he picked Woodridge. The carjacking, possible crime of opportunity. Again, could have happened anywhere, but...he picked Woodridge. As for me, I feel very safe in Woodridge. When I look out my windows or when I'm on my front lawn, I see officer's driving around constantly. That alone makes me feel protected. Cudos to the men and women of the Woodridge Police Department. If it wasn't for them, who knows where that meth might have ended up (or who might have ingested it), who knows if this Coal City man would be carjacking other people in other parking lots in other towns. If it weren't for the dedication of these cops, I might not feel as safe. But I do!

Is woodridge police department reading village of woodrige people concerns because if village people don't feel safe they will move out and village will lost their revenue therefore, police department may loose some job because of less revenue. what I would like to know is what village is doing to prevent these crimes?

Yes, 2 of the 3 offenders may have been from out of towm, but the crimes happened in OUR town. TG we have our village police take care of the situations, but it doesn't change that they happened near many innocent families. Gun shots shot in the air blocks from my house justifies me feeling unsafe in parts of Woodridge. I have 2 young kids, I will not let them walk to school without me or play in the front yard without me or my husband. I live in a nice neighborhood, but there is a lot of traffic that comes through. As far as guns goes these days, you never know if you anger someone, if they will pull out a gun or whatever. Didn't Woodridge have to lay off police officers due to budget cuts? I too see police around and have called them for many various things and they are very thorough and promt, but they can't be every where all the time.
Sad to hear AB, agree with Steve (most truthful) and agre with all of the comments on the apartment/condo mix of people who unfortunately bring that name "Hoodridge" to the mix.

I think if they were to get rid of the basketball courts on Janes Avenue and do something about the Section 8 housing in Waterbury that would solve a lot of problems. The crime of late is becoming alarming.

So we have the meth lab issue, the heroin dealer shot and killed in his apartment in Emerald Courts, the strong armed robbery in Waterbury, the shooting at the basketball courts on Janes Avenue with gang members marching thru Emerald Courts apartment and parking their getaway car in Natural Falls, and now someone was held at knife point at Echo Point Park on the west side of Emerald Courts and Waterbury. That's a lot of happenings to cause one to feel unsafe. I think the Village and Parks & Recreation need to start by GETTING RID OF THE BASKETBALL COURTS. I am hoping people will start petitions. Secondly, something needs to be done about Waterbury - not sure what - increased security checks. If they want to have basketball courts in Woodridge for a recreational outlet ----- move it over by Village Hall and see how they like it.

For the meth lab was small portable lab, and it was removed the same day, when the owner went to police to report it, that his friend brought in to his home. and the persons were arrested. so get the story right.

What about the robberies... TFC Bank, Walgreens...? I have lived in Woodridge for 20+ years, and my parents before that, and their parents.
I rarely see the police cars in the "less desirable" apartment complex areas-yet there were 4-5 squads hanging out at 7-11 the other night. And I was threatened with a ticket for hopping out to grab a bottle of water at 7-11 and leaving my car running-because my 120lb dog was in it and I left the a/c on for him. I just think (just my opinion) that a heavier presence in certain areas would be helpful. But what do I know?

Read today's : Police Blotter: Purse Stolen from Target, Aggravated Battery, Drugs

Just some food for thought since it's come up a couple times regarding section 8 housing.... I've owned a few rental properties in the past and have accepted section 8 tenants. From the standpoint of a property owner, it's actually a fairly sound move because they recipients of section 8 assistance know that if I report them damaging property, dealing dope, causing problems with neighbors, etc... then they will lose their housing assistance and it takes a small miracle to get back in the program.

That being said, since most of this is taking place across the street off of the rental property, then there *MAY* still be a correlation between the increase in problems there and section 8. Although you have to realize that correlation and causation are rarely the same.

I also have to wonder if there really is that much of an increase in problems in that area or if it's just that more of this information is being disseminated to the public via the patch and other internet sources that could be accessed by any slob sitting in his boxers with a laptop in front of him. Judging by many of the comments I've seen posted throughout this site (not really this article) I would guess that few of those commenting are the newspaper-reading type.