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'Sirens' TV Show Apologizes to Neighborhood, Offers Coffee Certificates

By Alisa Hauser | October 9, 2013 3:03pm | Updated on October 9, 2013 3:06pm
 Filming for TV Show "Sirens" woke up Wicker Park residents at 1:17 a.m. Monday, and residents received an apology and gift certificates for coffee from Wormhole Coffee Shop and Filter Cafe.
"Sirens" Apologizes
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WICKER PARK — Nothing says you're sorry for making someone lose sleep like a few cups of coffee.

That's exactly what residents, who suffered a 1:17 a.m. wake-up call by a police bullhorn on behalf of a TV show film crew earlier this week, received by way of apology for its "early morning disturbance."

Addressed "Dear Residents," and signed by "The Sirens Locations Department," the Oct. 8. letter included $15 gift certificates to Wormhole Coffee Shop and Filter Cafe.

Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) published the letter on Tumblr.

"The “Sirens” staff would like to send an apology for the inconvenience our filming caused in the early morning disturbance that occurred on October 7, 2013," the letter begins.

The company said it was "our sincerest desire to keep a balance of peace and good will among the communities where we film our productions" and that "we have worked diligently to prevent and avoid confusion."

The show promised to "put forth a greater effort to avoid future mishaps within the community," adding that "Our crew has enjoyed filming in Wicker Park, shopping at the local stores, and enjoying the amazing food."

The company offered gift certificates "in order to make amends."

"We hope you can find in your hearts to accept our heartfelt apology," the letter said.

The apology was prompted by fury from residents, who told DNAinfo.com Chicago early Monday that they'd been awakened by a police bullhorn and sirens, which caused one neighbor who lives in the 1500 block of North Elk Grove Avenue to say she "thought it was an air raid." 

The cause for the commotion was actually a new half-hour comedy series, "Sirens," which needed to use the block to park trucks to unload furniture and props from area homes that it had used for filming.

No-parking warnings had been affixed to trees on the block, a show spokesman said.

Reached by text message, Stuart Berberich, an assistant locations manager for "Sirens," said, "We are grateful for all the support from the community. We hope the residents enjoy the gift certificates to Wormhole and Filter."

One resident who lives in the 1500 block of Elk Grove Avenue said the apology "didn't make me feel better about what happened, but I appreciated the gesture."

The apology and letter were delivered by a worker who knocked on her door, the woman said.