Harvey police shut down gun range
HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- Harvey police shut down a gun range after more than five years of complaints from neighbors, who said they frequently find bullet casings in their yards.
Mayor Eric Kellogg posted a cease and desist order outside the south suburban city's gun range before leading a team of inspectors inside.
"First of all, I need to do an assessment to see if, in fact, the berm is secure," Kellogg said. "According to our code there has to be a steel and concrete barrier to ensure that the facility is safe."
The Harvey Park District, which owns the property and leases it to the operator, disagrees.
"There's absolutely no problems," Harvey Park District General Counsel Rick Hammond said. "If there were problems I think it would be reflected by the law enforcement agents that are using this."
The gun range operator was cited for not complying with city rules related to public safety.
Several residents who live in the area said they only want their families to be safe. They worry a child playing in the area could be hurt or killed.
"They're shooting seven days a week over here at the shooting range. Seven days a week is a lot. Not even a day on a Sunday they don't have no peace," homeowner Robert Aguilar said. "Two times already the bullet has hit my trailer."
The gun range has been used by dozens of police departments since the 1990s to train officers.
Under an executive order from Kellogg, the range will remain closed until a public hearing on June 6 at 6:30 p.m.
