Ugly Chicago: The Art of Squatting

 

Squatting is defined as to occupy illegally an empty, abandoned, or condemned house, building, apartment, etc. It is now a dangerous fad in Chicago and especially on the South and West side that has to stop. It has caused death of those who are squatters and those whose serve and protect. It was the report of squatters that sent Firefighters Edward Stringer and Corey Ankum inside a firey open vacant warehouse that ended their lives. Numerous fires,injuries and other crimes have been caused by squatters. The illegal utility connections, open fires harboring animals and no running water create unsafe situations While I understand the economic hardships a number of individuals have suffered, the hijacking of property cannot and should not be tolerated. The property pictured 66 E. 95th Street has been a problem plagued eyesore in the West Chesterfield community for sometime. The city of Chicago has boarded up this property numerous times and the Chicago Police Department has been called out numerous times to empty the property as well as break up fights between the squatters. Community residents have asked for the property to be demolished but the City of Chicago process prolongs what appears to be necessary. Both the former and current Alderman have asked the Chicago Police Department to place this property on special attention. My friends at The Sixth Ward Blog have been following this property for quite a while and it seems to get worse than better.


  Now it appears some unscrupulous individual has decided to rent the property to a family. They stated that they were going to fix the property up but all I saw was an abandon van with Wisconsin license plate #301-SCE parked in the back yard. Per public records the property has not changed hands so the statement is questionable at best. So hopefully, we do not have to walk or drive down 95th and see this eyesore because the City of Chicago will do what is necessary.