Rogers Park Residents Urge Police to Crack Down on Gang and Drug Houses
Everytime Luana McIntosh relocates to a new residence to get away from gangs in her Rogers Park neighborhood, she finds the same turf wars , the same issues of violence at her new home. “It’s still the same nonsense,” said McIntosh, who is 62. McIntosh is among the residents in this North Chicago neighborhood who […]
Across the Country, Neighborhoods Gather, Celebrate National Night Out
In theory, National Night Out sounds a little strange — encourage thousands of residents, in cities nationwide to throw block parties and barbecues that will be attended by city law enforcement. In practice, National Night Out is a city-sanctioned, nationwide, one-night event to encourage residents to get to know their neighbors and reclaim their streets, […]
Family still mourns 23-year-old who took bullet for cousin
Elizabeth Ramirez’s face shines as she looks at all her son’s sports trophies hanging on the wall in her North Side basement. She has gathered eight family members and friends on a Monday evening earlier this spring to watch videos of her son, Harry Rodriguez. He was killed Oct. 23, 2011 – a week before […]
New play confronts violence in Chicago
Three months into 2013, Chicago has endured over 60 murders. Chicago citizens have voiced their anger over the city’s violence with campaigns, and President Barack Obama visited the city’s South Side to speak to civilians about gun control. A Chicago theater group is taking a different approach to speak out about the violence that is […]
Austin Residents Look For Hope, Encourage Unity To Revive Community
Austin looks for a solution – area leaders and advocates say – that doesn’t just depend on increased police presence, but relies on community organizing for equitable distribution of resources; better schools and adult education and workforce preparation; changes in juvenile justice; community centers and youth programs and creating an environment that can give residents hope.
With A New Alderman, Uptown Still Struggles with Gang Violence and Crime
It was a late afternoon in Uptown. As commuters started to make their way home from work on Dec. 5, a police SWAT team, a helicopter and about two dozen police cars surrounded a building in the 4600 block of North Broadway Street, where, after an arrest was made, three other men barricaded themselves as […]
Some Thoughts on the “Under the Gun” Series — Chicago Justice Project
Listen to “Under the Gun” Tracy Siska, writing for Chicago Justice Project, commends Rob Wildeboer of Chicago Public Radio on his series ”Under the gun: Murder in Chicago and Toronto” on WBEZ. Listen to the series if you missed it when it ran live, and read Tracy’s critique. This issue is a problem in Chicago now, […]
Wicker Park Residents Voice Concerns Over Homeless And Graffiti
Wicker Park residents told police last month that they are tired of being harassed by the homeless on sidewalks, especially outside of convenient stores. The police met with residents during a Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy meeting for beat 1424 at the Wicker Park Field House, where they said there were already plans in motion to […]
Spotlight: Back of the Yards
Chicago Transit Authority bus driver Ronnie McGhee says he once witnessed a gunfight “in broad daylight” while driving his route on West 57th Street. McGhee, 48, said earlier this month in a street survey in the Back of the Yards neighborhood that gang activity is prevalent in the area. “It’s not as open as it […]
Gang Activity on the Rise in Portage Park
We may be far removed from the days of Al Capone, but the Chicago of today is still known for an abundance of gang activity. The city’s South and West Sides generally see the most gang violence, but that doesn’t mean the Northwest Side doesn’t have its problems. Portage Park, one of the safer neighborhoods […]
Healing the Hood draws 2000 in Third Year
by Maureen Kelleher of New Communities Program Little Village‘s annual “Healing the Hood” community celebration – established three years ago in an effort to stem gang violence – drew its biggest crowd ever earlier this summer. More than 2,000 people enjoyed the music, children’s games, basketball and lotería (bingo) at 28th Street and Ridgeway Avenue. […]
