In River Forest, Illinois, a business owner has come forward with allegations of racial harassment and property damage, accusing the owner of a neighboring business of repeatedly targeting her and her daughter with racial slurs over the course of more than a year. The situation has escalated to the point where law enforcement has intervened, charging the accused with misdemeanor criminal damage to property.
Allegations of Racial Harassment
The allegations center on Glenda Harris, the owner of Epic Signature Suites, a black-owned business specializing in braiding hair, weaving, and eyelashes. According to Harris, the harassment began more than a year ago and has persisted despite attempts to resolve the issue. Harris claims that the owner of Diamond in the Ruff, a dog grooming business located in the same strip mall, has repeatedly directed racial slurs at her and her daughter, questioning their presence in the area. Harris reports that the individual has made comments suggesting that they should not be conducting business in the strip mall because they are black.
Harris’s daughter, Erica Robinson, who works as a beautician’s assistant at her mother’s salon, also claims to have been targeted. Robinson recounted an incident in which she was confronted by the owner of Diamond in the Ruff as she parked her car near his business. Robinson stated that before she could exit her vehicle, the individual approached her and began shouting, telling her to leave. She recorded the incident, during which the accused allegedly taunted her about her hair and used a racial slur.
Property Damage Incident Caught on Camera
The situation escalated on a Wednesday in late August when the accused, identified as Robert Palomo, was caught on camera damaging property belonging to Epic Signature Suites. Security footage shows Palomo approaching the entrance of the salon with a hammer and removing a security camera installed at the front door. The entire incident was captured on multiple cameras, both outside and inside the business.
Harris expressed concern that Palomo may have been attempting to locate her in order to harm her with the hammer. Following the incident, Harris contacted the River Forest Police Department, who took Palomo into custody the following day. Palomo has been charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property, but Harris has been informed that if she can provide receipts proving that her surveillance system cost more than $500, the charge could be upgraded to a felony.
Police Response and Community Reactions
The response from the River Forest Police Department has raised concerns for Harris and her family. Harris claims that she had previously reported instances of harassment to the police, including a confrontation on July 16th when she parked her car near Palomo’s business. Despite her complaints, Harris says that the police did not file a report at the time and advised her to avoid parking near Palomo’s business. This lack of action has led Harris to feel that her concerns were not taken seriously by local law enforcement.
Moreover, questions have been raised about why the racial slurs captured on video have not led to hate crime charges. River Forest Police have not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding the absence of hate crime charges or the lack of police reports following the earlier incidents.
Statements from Both Parties
In response to the allegations, Palomo has denied the claims of harassment, stating that the situation began due to a dispute over parking spaces. Palomo claims that employees of Epic Signature Suites were occupying multiple parking spaces in the lot, which he said was inconvenient for his customers who needed to park close to his business for the safety of their dogs. Palomo admitted that his frustration over the parking issue may have led to the escalation of tensions between the two businesses.
Harris, however, refutes Palomo’s explanation, asserting that the first encounter she had with him involved him making a derogatory comment about her race and stating that she should not be allowed to rent space in the strip mall because she is black. Harris has consistently denied that parking was ever an issue and maintains that the harassment she and her daughter have experienced is racially motivated.
Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation continues, the case has garnered attention within the River Forest community and beyond. Harris and her daughter are seeking justice and are hopeful that the legal system will hold Palomo accountable for his actions. They are also advocating for stronger protections against racial harassment for business owners and residents in the area.
The situation in River Forest highlights the broader issues of racial tension and discrimination that persist in communities across the country. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of this case may serve as a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future.
