Downers Dad Charged After Son's Party Rattles Neighborhood: Police Blotter

A 41-year-old father was charged with disorderly conduct after a going-away party he allowed for his son grew out of hand and damaged a neighbor's property, according to Downers Grove police.

There were less than 10 people at about 9 p.m. May 29 in David Shafer's backyard for his son's party. That number grew to about 50 people by the time police were dispatched at 11:04 p.m. to the loud event, which took place on the 4700 block of Puffer Road.

After police arrived, partygoers dashed east through a neighbor's yard on the 4700 block of Belmont, cursing at the resident and damaging her chain-link fence. The neighbor saw several people run across Belmont Avenue, causing traffic to stop, according to a police report.

Police told Shafer he was ultimately responsible for the party, said a second report for the incident.

"Although Shafer had been extremely cooperative and appeared sincere, the disturbance to the neighborhood was extreme," the report said. "Further, the noise and large number of minors in attendance was also excessive. I decided that Shafer would be charged."

Officers found about 40 to 50 people dancing to "extremely loud music," a large bonfire and hundreds of beer cans scattered in Shafer's backyard, according to the report.

Shafer said that his teen son had joined the Army and was leaving in a few weeks, so he authorized a small party for him and a dozen friends. He said he left his son with a small group outside and went inside to fall asleep by 9:30 p.m. He was still asleep when police arrived, the report said.

At that point the neighbor said dozens of people ran through her yard. When she confronted them, they cursed and swore at her. She noted about $100 of damage to her chain-link fence in two separate places after several people appeared to climb the fence. An officer also saw some of the guests run across Belmont and hide in bushes.

Shafer was taken to the Downers Grove Police Department. He was charged with disorderly conduct-keeping a disorderly place and released on an I-bond. Police noted a second time in the report that Shafer was cooperative and understanding. He assured police there would be no more parties at his house.

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Police Blotter information is provided by local law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.