Journal & Topics Media Group

Mystery ‘Booms’ Worry Prospect Heights Residents


Loud “boom” noises have been heard in Prospect Heights and residents are drawing up concerns as to what the mystery sounds are.

During the Prospect Heights City Council workshop meeting Monday night (Sept. 9), Ald. Patrick Ludvigsen (4th) raised the topic to Chief of Police Jim Zawlocki after hearing the noises himself and being made aware of growing concern from some residents of the city.

The loud “boom” noises were originally thought by Ludvigsen to be linked with the start of John Hersey High School’s football season, but no connection was made.

“That Friday night, when I first went outside, I thought it was Hersey fireworks and there was probably three or four of them over a two-minute period. After I realized it wasn’t the fireworks, I thought it was a house blowing it. It was loud, it was really loud,” said Ludvigsen. Hersey’s campus, located in Arlington Heights, is located a short distance from Prospect Heights.

According to Zawlocki, the Prospect Heights Police Department has not received any emergency calls regarding the mystery noises, but he has been in communication with a concerned citizen, who resides near Maple Avenue and Elmhurst Road, through email correspondence.

“It would help if we get a more pinpoint area and then call 911 so our officers and police go and try to narrow down the time and sit in the area when they hear them — but they have no idea where they are coming from,” said Zawlocki.

Residents are advised to call 911 if they hear the noise.

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