Numerous incidents of vandalism in a Wilmette neighborhood caught the attention of police

A wave of petty vandalism washed over a neighborhood in Wilmette this summer, resulting in several stolen Pride flags, missing yard signs and damaged property.

The string of incidents prompted police intervention and action. Citations for theft recently were administered to two teenagers, but neighbors are still asking questions.

Of the 30 or so incidents tracked by residents of the 600 block of Central Avenue over June and July, Wilmette police were called to respond to 11 reports of vandalism and theft, according to police information. Five of the incidents involved LGBTQ+ Pride flags and the other six were for “Unfence Gillson” signs. Police cited two 18-year-olds with theft under a village ordinance but believe several juveniles have been involved.  

Wilmette Deputy Chief Mike Clark said the department has not established a motive for the vandalism and does not have evidence to support the targeting of Pride flags. He said that the incidents were “nothing more than a juvenile nuisance issue.”

For one impacted family, the Axelrods, this recent spike in nuisance is a continuation of their recent experience in East Wilmette. Jeff Axelrod said their home has been victimized by vandalism since 2020, including an incident last year when the Axelrods’ Pride flag was damaged and stolen, as reported by The Record.

In one instance, among many during June, which is Pride Month, the Axelrods put out a glass jar containing small Pride flags for passersby. They woke up one morning to find the glass shattered, and their Unfence Gillson sign run over, likely by a bicycle.

“It’s more of the drip drip drip of frustration,” said Cheryl Axelrod about the repeated vandalism in and around her block. “I didn’t feel unsafe, but it didn’t allow us to feel restful or relaxed.”

A homeowner in east Wilmette, who asked to stay anonymous for privacy reasons, also had a Pride flag ripped from their porch in June. They contacted police but said they never felt unsafe or harassed further. 

After noticing the increase in vandalism, Jeff Axelrod began to collect information from his neighbors to better monitor the issue. While Wilmette police responded to 11 cases, Jeff Axelrod said he recorded more than 30 incidents over the same month-long stretch — though in a larger area, from 3rd to 12th Street, including Lake, Central and Greenleaf avenues.

Only a handful of the reports Jeff Axelrod received were related to Pride flags, and a vast majority involved removal of and damage to Unfence Gillson signs. 

The Unfence Gillson movement was born from the recent security measures, including fencing, installed at the southern portion of Gillson Beach. The Axelrods are advocates for the removal of the measures and supply their neighbors with yard signs that read “Unfence Gillson” and a QR code that directs people to their website. 

One of their neighbors, Noelle Bufton, lives on the 700 block of Greenleaf Avenue and said she had her Unfence Gillson yard signs stolen three times. 

Just a few blocks down from Bufton, in the 1000 block of Greenleaf Avenue, Beth Gomberg-Hirsch said she lost two yard signs to thieves. The first time both her and her neighbor’s signs were stolen, but the second time just hers. She has since started displaying her signs in her window. 

Bufton and Gomberg-Hirsch agreed that the vandalism never caused too much distress. Gomberg-Hirsch shared that she does find it important that the community supports and respects each other.

Wilmette police are continuing to investigate the vandalism. They ask that any additional reports or information be directed to the case’s assigned detective, Jon Sokolnik. 

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