Morton Grove org says some of its gay pride signs posted in planters were removed, vandalized
The signs read 'Morton Grove Has Pride' and were created and distributed by Morton Grove Pride, a community organization started last year to launch LGBTQ+ pride initiatives in the village for the first time, according to its co-leader Gia Schultz.
Morton Grove Village President Janine Witko mentioned the reported thefts at the June 10 Village Board meeting.
'We've been alerted that some signs have been taken out of planters around the village, and specifically pride signs,' Witko said. 'We just want to let everyone know that we take that seriously .. and we will take action.'
Schultz said Morton Grove Pride partnered with the village's public library and park district, as well as the Niles and Maine townships, in distributing and publicizing the signs and organizing other events celebrating pride month.
A total of 250 plastic,18×24-inch signs with trees the color of the rainbow along the top were created and they sell for $6 each, Schultz said. She explained that local residents have placed signs and decorated their homes to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the signs Schultz and some of her friends purchased and placed in 15 community planters on May 31 were damaged or removed in recent weeks, she said.
Schultz said she had not heard of any other pride signs or decorations being taken or damaged in the village, and speculated the signs believed to be stolen from the planters were just more accessible because they were on the sidewalk.
'Everything we have heard has been super positive, people have been thrilled that something is finally happening in Morton Grove,' she said, referring to the organization's pride month efforts.
Morton Grove police Commander Dominik Przekota told Pioneer Press that Schultz reported June 9 that 12 signs were stolen from planters at Dempster Street and Menard Avenue, Dempster and Ferris streets, Dempster Street and Fernald Avenue, and Waukegan and Beckwith roads.
Przekota said the signs were completely removed or left broken, and there was no damage to the planters. He said the investigation is ongoing, with police checking for surveillance cameras in the area.
'This is the only time anything like this has happened,' Przekota said.
Schultz said she filed an additional police report June 12 when the signs she had replaced in the planters were removed again. She even found some of the signs crumbled and stuffed in nearby garbage cans.
Authorities reportedly obtained surveillance video showing youth on bikes removing signs, and even a motorist pulling over to remove one, Schultz said she was told.
Przekota would not comment on specifics of the investigation.
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