Police say they have received reports from businesses and visitors in downtown Crystal Lake that students have been creating disturbances after school on early release days.
The Crystal Lake Police Department issued a community alert Monday afternoon on social media about the issue.
“As a community safety effort, we feel the need to share awareness regarding early release school days,” the department said in a statement.
Police said they received reports and concerns from downtown Crystal Lake businesses, visitors and residents about District 47 middle school students.
The students are reportedly creating disturbances, which include vandalism, stealing and foul language, in downtown Crystal Lake.
The disturbances primarily occur on early release days, police said.
The police department said they work closely with the Crystal Lake Downtown Association and Crystal Lake Elementary School District 47.
Crystal Lake businesses welcome District 47 students after school but they are expected to be respectful and responsible, authorities said.
The police department asked parents to talk with their children if they go downtown with friends in order to stress the importance of respecting local businesses, their customers and the community.
An early release day will happen on Wednesday. Grades 6-8 are released at 1 p.m. that day.
Police did not say whether they have cited or charged any of the juveniles involved in the disturbances.