Police Enjoy Sweet Success Getting Donations at Dunkin Donuts

Officer Tony Scipione manned his post at 4 a.m. Friday, but it wasn't the usual Niles squad car.

It was the Dunkin Donuts at 7235 N. Caldwell in Niles, where Scipione collected donations for Special Olympics Illinois for the next 10 hours as part of the charitable drive. 

"It was a steady stream of people at Dunkin Donuts until about 9, and then the Shell customers donated after that," Scipione said.

The Dunkin Donuts leases space from the Shell gas station. Because Dunkin Donuts doesn't own its own building, Scipione wasn't allowed to go up on the roof, as police at most other locations did to heighten interest--and boost donations-- from people driving by. 

Even without that, Niles police collected $5,200 for Special Olympics at the three Dunkin Donuts locations where they stationed officers. That included the locations at 7039 W. Dempster and 7525 N. Harlem in addition to the Caldwell donut shop. 

"Some people were very generous," said Ron Neukirch, a member of the CERTS (Citizens Emergency Response Team), and also a CERTS instructor, who also participated in the Cop on a Rooftop event. "People were throwing in fives and tens, and even some twenties."