50 years ago, business owners in the metro east griped about a ‘youth problem’
In the fall of 1973, store owners in the area were complaining about the “youth problem.” Noting that it was a big issue in Fairview Heights, the O’Fallon Progress went out to find out what O’Fallon merchants and leaders thought about the issue.
Here are the results as reported in the Oct. 11, 1973, edition of the O’Fallon Progress:
“During the past two weeks, merchants in Fairview Heights complained to the city’s police and administration that teenagers have ‘threatened and harassed’ their customers.
“Fairview businessmen, police and city officials have scheduled meetings in an attempt to find a solution to the problem.
“A check of businesses in O’Fallon that teenagers patronize showed some owners and managers of the businesses experience similar but less serious problems.
“‘The kids behave themselves around here,’ said Ken Been, manager of the Burger Chef. ‘We had a fight in the parking lot last week but most of the time the kids aren’t too bad.’
“Been said that the restaurant has signs in the parking lot which state that loitering is prohibited. Alcoholic beverages are also disallowed at the establishment.
“‘We made it a policy for the kids either to stay in their cars or in the building. If we have any problems, we ask them to leave,’ Been said.
“Carvil Clark, owner of Carvil’s Restaurant, said he has had some problems with the young people which patronize his place and has a little resentment at the ways parents let their children run.
“‘Although we want the kid’s business,’ Clark says, ‘we don’t want to end up being the babysitters for these kids.’
“Clark reported he has had his customers complain about broken aerials, rocks in their gas tanks and air leaked from their tires.
“‘We caught three young girls a while back who were trying to set a fire in the wash basin in the women’s restroom. We called the parents of the kids and two of the three sets of parents wouldn’t believe their kids did it,’ Clark said.
The glass in one door of the O’Fallon Sports Bowl, also owned by Clark, has been broken seven times this year Clark says.
“‘At $6.98 a time, that becomes expensive,’ Clark said.
“Clark believes area businessmen should take the same kind of action the Fairview merchants are taking to solve the problem.
“‘We (the merchants) will have to do something to show these kids that we want their business but we won’t be their babysitters and tolerate their vandalism,’ Clark said.
“Joe Keck, owner of Keck’s Supermarket, said he has had problems with the younger people especially with shoplifting.
“‘Many times on the weekends, we catch the teenagers trying to steal cigarettes. But you’re always going to have that 10 per cent or so who are “different”,’ Keck said.
“The Short Stop Market, leased by Dennis Seipp, would not comment on whether he has a problem with the teenagers patronizing his store.
“Rich Votrain of Burger Queen puts the problems with teenagers there as ‘occasional.’
“‘It’s not as bad as it used to be. They don’t hang around too much any more. The police helped us a lot,’ Votrain said.
“O’Fallon Chief of Police Darwin Lehmann believes that the teenagers of O’Fallon aren’t that much of a problem.
“‘If we only had to worry about the kids we’d be in great shape. Anytime some business has a problem with kids, they should give us a call,’ Lehmann said.
“Reverend Art Erb of Faith Lutheran Church is also unaware of a problem with the youth in the city. Rev. Erb, who has been involved in helping teenagers, says that more information is needed before any action is taken to solve the problem.
“‘We need to know who we’re dealing with and to what extent there is a problem,’ Rev. Erb said.
“The minister pointed out that programs are available throughout the area for kids to become involved in. Those pointed out by Rev. Erb were programs at the schools, scouts, and some church programs. Erb said however that most city-oriented type programs, such as a youth center, would have a difficult time gathering teenagers.
“‘Part of the problem could be family life. Helping families could possibly help them enjoy their family life more,’ Erb said.
“Instead of a youth center, Erb said, the city might consider a family service center. ‘We really need to get a clearer picture of what the problems are,’ said Erb. ‘A building doesn’t do much.’”
75 years ago, Oct. 14, 1948
Chief Elton Dressel and his fire-fighting crew commended on the manner in which automobile drivers cooperated with the department at Sunday’s alarm by giving the equipment a clear way to get to the fire in Thomas Park Gardens.
Autoists, who created a hazard in the past by chasing after the truck, were conspicuous by their absence.
Spectators also respected the recent warning by remaining a safe distance from the scene of the blaze so as not to hamper the firemen in their work.
“It’s a commendable attitude on the part of the O’Fallon people,” said the fire chief.
50 years ago, Oct. 11, 1973
More than 800 persons, many of them out-of-town officials, attended the Jim Tiley Appreciation Nite ceremonies held last Wednesday night at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Tiley, who served as Chief of Police in O’Fallon for 20 years and who retired last month, was honored that evening along with the presentation of a number of awards to him from various organizations.
A check for $6,000 was presented to Tiley by Russ Warma, master of ceremonies, for the night, which represented the total receipts from the sale of tickets for the appreciation night.
Tiley was also presented with the Old English ‘O’ from the O’Fallon Township High School Student Council, an award which has been presented to only a few persons.
The retired chief was also presented with plaques from the O’Fallon Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, the O’Fallon Grade School District 90 Board of Education, and the Fairview Heights Volunteer Police Department Unincorporated.
Members of the O’Fallon Police and Fire Departments attended the ceremonies along with members of the O’Fallon Board of Police and Fire Commissioners and other city officials.