Peace in Cole Park August 17 & 18

You might have seen this in a e-mail blast from 6th Ward Ald. Roderick Sawyer earlier this summer. Peace in the Park - After Dark: Overnight Camping Experience. To take place in Cole Park - 361 E. 85th Street from 2:00 PM on August 17, 2018 to 8:00 PM on August 18, 2018.

You may have seen some blurbs on this blog about such an event overtime on this blog.

Was your garbage unemptied last week?

I live the area between State and King, 83rd to 79th.  Our scheduled garbage pick-up is Wednesday, and Recyclables had recently been changed to Thursday.

However, the garbage was NOT picked up on Wednesday (Christmas Eve). I understand our recyclables not being picked up on Thursday due to Christmas. But since they hadn't been picked up the week before, I would have expected it to be done on Friday, Saturday at the latest.

Of ALL the weeks to NOT have service, this would be the worst. Due to boxes and wrapping paper, this would be the "ideal" time for recyclable pick up. And of course, garbage would increase, due to meals, preparation, and the like.

Is the garbage here still privately managed? If so, it's time for a new service!

And what will happen since a SECOND holiday is happening exactly a week later? Will they skip us again, or come today?

Please let us know if you have not had your garbage picked up, or if it was, did they come on time?

GCA July Meeting with 6th District Commander Fred L. Waller

Fred L. Waller

We got this e-mail recently from the Greater Chatham Alliance

• Okay, Greater Chatham Alliance Members, Chatham and other 6th Ward Neighbors:
  
  This is the meeting you can't afford to miss on Saturday, July 19th! Here’s YOUR chance to meet 1-on-1 with 6th District, Police Commander Fred L. Waller.
  
  That’s right! A private, 1-on-1 meeting for three (3) minutes with our Commander!
  
  This is not a gripe session!
  
  This is an opportunity for residents to give intel on:
  
  
  1. Suspected, or known drug houses.  
  2. Suspicious-acting, neighborhood teens.
  3. Troubled Buildings–-including vacant, or suspected CHA homes/apartment buildings with abusive residents.
  4. Notorious, daily, drug-dealing corners, alleys or streets.
  5. Resourceful suggestions and ideas show we are trying to help too!
  
  It’s for YOU to give anonymous information, concise information, and vital information to safeguard our community and stop the predators COLD!
  
  Be proactive and print, or type your info on paper with all details (specific addresses, descriptions).
  
  The police want us to work with them! GCA says let’s get busy and show we mean business!
  
  Please don't squander the Commander's time complaining about garage break-ins, car thefts, or petty crimes. This is the event to tackle bigger problems!
  
  Please note, we are at a different, larger church for this July meeting.
  
  Saturday, July 19th
  11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  St. Mark United Methodist Church
  8414 S. St. Lawrence
  Parking lot available!

Don't Let Thieves Ruin Your Holidays

As we come closer to Christmas day, many are out shopping in stores or online and are purchasing large gifts such as appliances, gaming systems, televisions, etc. While you are bringing these items in your home, those with bad intentions are shopping by perusing the alleys looking at the trash you put out. A few tips that you can use to ensure that you have a happy and safe holiday

• Invest in a utility knife from Home Depot or Lowes ($1-$2) and a permanent marker from Staples ($1-$2).
• Remove all identifying labels from boxes or mark out information with marker.
• Untape all boxes and break down so they can fit in recycling can. For larger boxes cut boxes up so they can fit in recycling can
• Consider taking heavier cardboard boxes to City of Chicago recycling centers or place out the night before recycling pickup.

For those who have gently used items that you are going to replace items, consider donating those items to some local non profits and if you do no know of any, organizations such as Zealous Good can find organizations that can use those items.

Community Alert: Postal Employee Robbed

Yesterday, the United States Postal Service(USPS) delivered the following flyer

Please be alert throughout this holiday season. Also, here are tips they were previously posted.

As we come closer to the actually holidays, the season has officially begun. While the season puts most of us in a good mood, it also makes some of us careless and brings out those who do not have good intentions.

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the holiday season

1. Use a Tracking Service for Expected Packages

The holiday season is the the busiest season for package delivery and its a pain when you miss your delivery and disheartening if someone steals your package from your property. Now that UPS has closed the Avalon Park station, you have to either go to the South Holland or Roosevelt Street station. You can avoid this frustration by signing up for  UPS My Choice.
 The service is FREE and alerts you by either phone,text or email when your package is close to delivery. You choose the method and when a package is enroute, you will get a delivery date and an expected delivery window. Won't be home? Have them reschedule the delivery or hold at the station. FEDEX offers Delivery Manager that you can accomplish the same thing There are other options but they come at a cost. US Postal Service has a similar service Have your shipper give you the tracking number and you can track them on your own.

  2.  Creating a Routine

 It’s long been known that burglars scoping out a neighborhood will look for victims who tend to not pay attention to things. In other words, they are looking for carelessness. Signs of a careless homeowner include an unkempt lawn, overgrown bushes and children’s toys scattered around the yard.

When a burglar spots a house possibly inhabited by a careless homeowner he will watch that house to see what the typical daily behavior is. If he’s really good he may observe a homeowner rushing out the door without setting alarm system. In such a case that home is just as vulnerable as one with no security system installed.

In most cases setting a routine is not good from a security standpoint. But in terms of remembering to set your alarm system before you leave your home, a routine is a good thing. Creating a routine you can follow every day will make it less likely you’ll forget to set your alarm.

Consider gathering your things for work the last part of your morning routine. Hang a hook for your keys right next to your control center, forcing yourself to see it them as you head out the door. It acts as a constant reminder to arm your system on your way out.

3.     Don’t Advertise Holiday Plans 

Homeowners and businesses should never advertise holiday plans using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Today’s criminals are very media savvy and have taken to trolling such sites to find out when properties will be unoccupied. Keep your plans to yourself. 

4.    Ask Someone to Watch Your Home

Ask someone to watch your home while you’re away. If you can find a friend or family member willing to actually occupy your house in your absence, that’s the best option. If not, at least find someone willing to get your mail and newspaper, open and close your draperies and take out your garbage. This makes it harder for burglars to decide whether or not you’re away.

5.   Carbon Monoxide is Something Not To Be Played With

Carbon monoxide is a naturally occurring gas that is both manufactured and utilized by the human body. For this reason, many people don’t understand how dangerous it can be in excessive amounts. Trust us when we say it can be deadly.

As a tasteless and odorless gas, carbon monoxide could be present in your home without anyone knowing. It is also lighter than air so it tends to move to the lowest places of a home, including the ground floor or the basement. If carbon monoxide makes it to the upper floors it’s already at high enough levels to be fatal.

When humans inhale carbon monoxide it binds with hemoglobin, thus interfering with how well the hemoglobin functions. One of the main tasks of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen cells to various parts of the body. When it’s bound with carbon monoxide it can no longer perform that function. In essence, excessive levels of carbon monoxide in the blood can literally suffocate a person from the inside out.

Carbon monoxide is not something that should be taken lightly. If your home is equipped with a gas or oil furnace, a gas or oil-fired water heater, or gas appliances in the kitchen, the potential exists for carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s imperative you have your appliances carbon monoxide detector and heating/water systems checked on a regular basis to make sure they are function properly.

These tips along with your normal safety regiment should ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Why is the Chicago Police Department Causing KAOS in Chatham

Last week the Chicago Red Eye ran an a not so flattering article about a section of East 79th street which is covered by the 6th District of the Chicago Police Department . So when I received the attached letter that was mailed to my home on Saturday 6/22/13 from Chicago Police headquarters via U.S Postal Service.  The letter to those who live outside of Chatham might seem to be harmless, but for those of us who live here it reeks on various levels.

Besides being a poorly written letter, it's not signed by the commander but someone else. Secondly, the partnering is questionable. Why are taxpayers paying for the promotion of a community organization meeting? Isn't the CAPS program suppose to partner with residents irregardless of group affiliation? In Chatham, we have two established organizations, Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) and Greater Chatham Alliance (GCA) and I have never received a letter promoting their meetings nor any other community based organizations that resides in the 6th district.

Politics is definitely involved  as I previously wrote a post about this group and when politics and policing get together that definitely produces an unholy alliance.

With the crime situation we have in Chatham and the City of Chicago financial situation, this waste of taxpayers money and practicing petty politics is something we don't need.

Save The Date: Meet New 6th District Commander Mr. Fred Waller

The Chicago Police Department CAPS Implementation Office are hosting a Meet and Greet for new Chicago Police Department 6th District Commander Mr. Fred Waller.  The details are as follows

Did Liberation Christian Center Disrespect The Park Manor Community

Talking about religion or more specifically a church is consider taboo but in this case it's necessary. This past Monday evening I attended the Park Manor Neighbors Community Council (PMNCC) monthly meeting. There was a full agenda, but most of the 100+ attendees came out for one issue. Only through communication through PMNCC were they notified that an organization Unity Parenting and Counseling had approach the Alderman about signing off on a special use permit. The need for the permit was to establish a shelter for homeless teens. In most cases the PMNCC meeting attendees are even tempered but this subject angered the attendees. The shelter wanted to open inside what was once a small elementary school operated by St. Peter Lutheran Church. The building is being leased by a Liberation Christian Center. The church is new to the community and little was known or communicated about the church to the community. As the representatives of Unity attempted to make their case, the temperature in the room was going to start to boil over and both representatives from Unity and attendees became upset. No answer that Unity gave was or would have persuaded the members of the 74th,73rd Wabash and Michigan block club members who were in attendance. The bottom line was and is that 7400 S Michigan is the wrong location and YES, this is definitely the wrong time. On May 19th, the Red Line train line will shut down for 6-9 months and limit transportation options including several bus lines to the community and require possible walking through the community to get to alternative routes. So to state that the shelter would have no impact on the community is a very shortsighted and somewhat delusional.  Per Unity, if someone is expelled for not following the rules they are not allowed to loiter around the building . This would lead the individuals to walk up to 75th street where there are stores and several nightclubs. 75th Street is the dividing line for the Chicago Police Department 3rd and 6th districts. Both districts already have their hands full and having homeless teens loitering is just a problem the y do not need. While it became very apparent that the community was not going to support the special use permit, what did become apparent the church and pastor attempted to pimp both groups. During the presentation, Unity stated the pastor Bishop James E. Dukes offered the space to them, and never mentioned he had any conversations with the community. The church and pastor certainly didn't make any friends by blowing off this meeting or ever coming out to introduce themselves to the community. Sources characterize the pastor as "Shady". Per Unity representatives, the pastor was out of town. I and many others question the timing of this proposal. In a time when our city and state government are suppose to be broke, where is the money coming from to pay for this shelter? In a time when city services such as Mental health facilities that serve this community are being eliminated or consolidated to other areas why is there such an urgency to open this facility? Lastly, why did this group not notify any of the other social service agencies that service the community of their intentions to open this facility? So the bottom line is the Liberation Church feels that they can do what they want and not answer to anyone, such as engage in construction work without obtaining permits. So is this what churches are suppose to do? Is this what men of god suppose to do? So it will be interesting to see if the pastor steps up and apologizes to the community and work with community.

Chatham Unification Event At Cole Park

The Nat King Cole Park Advisory Council cordially invites you to join them

Saturday
April 27, 2013
1-4pm
Nat King Cole Park
361 E 85th Street (King Drive)

Come out as we recommit to "Save Our Park and Save Our Community". There will be

• Chicago Park District Registration
• Free Food (Children under 18 must be accompanied by adult)
• Raffle
• Free Fitness Classes

Come out and see what Cole Park has to offer. Volunteers and Business Owners who want to donate food or raffle items are welcome.

UPDATE:Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Shooting on 84th/King Drive

Update: I was informed by my neighbor that the young man who shot and killed on Sunday was one of our neighbors. The young man who the newspaper stated lived in Woodlawn has been living in Chatham for the past several months. He has been living with grandmother on  82nd Vernon. I know the young man, and he spoke on a regular basis, but have no knowledge of his past. Per the family, he and two cousins were walking to 87th street to catch the bus when they were ambushed by two men who came out of the side drive between two homes. The three young men ran as guns were pulled but unfortunately only the two got away.

[VIDEO] This incident already makes this the 11th homicide and 10th fatal shooting of 2013. It happened right in the Chatham neighborhood and Worlee shared a statement from a local leader - Rev. Dr. Marc Robertson:

Tragedy has hit the heart of our community once again. This evening as I was coming home. I saw police cars everywhere within the blocks of 84th and 85th street and King Drive on the west side of the street. As I got closer, I pulled over and noticed a young boy lying dead in the front yard of someone's home. An eyewitness told me that the kid who shot the other kid then jumped on the bus going North bound on King Drive. My people! When will this madness stop? I will be the first to say that this is a direct result of the dysfunction within our homes and young boys growing up fatherless. Wake up !!! This happened around 7:00 p.m, Sunday, January 5, 2013. This is the introduction of what to expect this summer in our community? We must learn to work together and get rid of egos, insecurities, jealousy and envy because our community is falling a part.

A 19-year-old young man cut down near 84th & King Drive. The fact that this happened is utterly shocking! I wonder if Rev. Robertson's comments is point the fingers at the leaders of our communities. He must be asking for direction & communication.

West Chesterfield December Community Meeting

From West Chesterfield Community Association

Hello All,

West Chesterfield welcomes Ms. Patricia Walsh 5th District Chicago Police Commander and Ronnie Watson Illinois State Police Chief Chicago State University to our WCCA  10am Saturday Meeting at our Cultural Center at 9351 S Michigan.

The 5^th District Commander is invited because the WCCA is now in the 9^th Ward and some residents would like to understand the workings of our neighboring police district in the 9th ward.

The 6th District may send a representative to this meeting, due to scheduling and timing conflicts.

All are welcome to attend, space is limited.

Topics of interest include:

·        Police careers and apprenticeships for youth

·        Overview of troubled areas the 6^th District Police.

·        Gang signs and crime to be aware of.

·        Safety tips for the community during the winter.

·        Beat Officers.

·        C.A.P.S. Meetings future  (Dismantling Announcement.)

·        Special Service Area/Community Policing.

·        Working with problem businesses.

·        Guns being titled like cars.

·        Illegal sign postings on city property.

· Working with the CSU State Police and the Chicago Police Department

---

Ms. Patricia Walsh 5th District Commander Chicago Police Department

727 East 111th Street Chicago, IL 60628

Mr. Ronnie Watson  State Police Chief  Chicago State University
9500 S King Drive, Chicago, IL 60619                                                                   

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For your Information: Common Sense Gun Legislation Petition

http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-for-common-sense-gun-legislation

---

This is an informational nonconfrontional meeting. 

83rd St. Food Mart: CLOSED

After months of complaints of illegal tobacco sales, sale of tobacco to minors, loitering and alleged marijuana sales, the store is permanently CLOSED. The owners have  moved out their inventory and fixtures.

Per the Alderman,the store owes the City of  Chicago thousands of dollars for code violations. The store was previously closed because they were fined $10,000 for code violations.

A big thanks to the residents of the 8000-8200 blocks of King Drive,Vernon and Eberhart, Alderman Roderick T. Sawyer and his staff,the Chicago Police Department and all the residents of Chatham for their vigilance to rid the community of the problem business.

This Week's Important Events In the 6th Ward

There is a lot going on this week in the ward. There are important events where important information will be disseminated and some fun events for both children and adults. Some of you state you never see Alderman  Sawyer, so here is your chance to support your community and speak to the Alderman about your concerns.

Tuesday
July 17, 2012
6:30 pm
Chesterfield Community Council Meeting with CHA Section 8
Tuley Park
90th King Drive
www.chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org

Tuesday
July 17, 2012
6:00pm
Bi-Monthly Meeting
Kelly Library
 6151 S. Normal Blvd
http://ragenglewood.org/

Wednesday
July 18, 2012
10am-3pm
City of Chicago Resource Fair
Grand Crossing Park
7655 S Ingleside



Wednesday
 July 18 2012
 6:30pm
Hyde Park Township Tax Appeal Forum
South Shore High School
1955 E 75th St
 FREE

Friday 
July 20, 2012
8 pm
Capt. America
Myering Park
7140 S King Drive
Free (Refreshments will be available for sale
Park District Security will be present

Saturday
July 21, 2012
11:00am
Monthly Meeting
St. James Lutheran Church
8001 S. Michigan

Saturday
July 21, 2012
10am
Taste of WVON
Lorraine Dixon Park
87th Dauphin
Free
www.wvon.com

The following events are on-going through the end of July

 
Tuesdays
July 10,17,24,30
Dusk(6:30 pm)
Movies on the Grazz
Chicago State University
9501 S King Drive
  www.csu.edu
FREE
 
Wednesdays
July 11,18,25
5:00 pm
Jazz on the Grazz
Chicago State University
9501 S King Drive
  www.csu.edu
FREE 

Wednesdays 
July 11,18,25 
10:30 am 
Kids Rule Movie Day 
ICE Chatham 14 Theater 
210 W. 87th Street
 http://www.icetheaters.com/images/Kidsrule/KidsRule2012.jpg 
$2.50 (FREE Bag of Popcorn) 
 
Saturdays 
July 7,14,21,28 
8:00 am 
Zumba 
ICE Chatham 14 Theater 
210 W. 87th Street 
http://www.icetheaters.com/

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.

Worlee's Rant: Readers First

This blog takes great pride in the information we present. We take time to sift through tons of information to give our readers accurate, timely and factual information because we understand that information about our community that does get published in traditional media outlets gets buried behind information that is not that as important. Also, with a plethora of social media sites that claim to provide information about our community that typically get it "wrong", we know we have to get it right.

Because of the standards you hold us to and the work of my counterparts here, the blog has become a relied upon source for traditional and independent local, citywide and national media outlets. Whether they want to know who a candidate is or what's on the mind of the residents, they look at our post and your comments.  Many may not know that the reason traditional media is getting it "Right" now is because my counterparts are leading them to knowledgeable sources of information .

Also, we not only write about this community we live here with our immediate families, so we are stake holders and take our responsibility to help improve our community seriously, that is why we ask for flyers from any and all sources that are presenting events in and around the community that can improve the quality of life for our neighbors. But, when you give us a flyer about an event and the event leaves our readers with suspicion, doubt and unanswered questions, we have to act accordingly We apply this standard across the board whether the organization has been in existence for 1 month, 1 year, 10 years or 100 years. Do not abuse our readers intellect or time.

So when your committee supposedly plans an event for four months and has more loose ends to your event than completed task and puts residents health and safety in question. Do not get mad with me, don't get mad with residents who you choose to exclude and those who do not want to put up with community organization B.S. Accept that there is a new standard and you failed to achieve it.

CAPCC To CPS- Richard Milburn Alternative High School Must Go!

This was the message that Keith Tate, President of the Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) told Chicago Public School(CPS) representative Jennifer Vidis, Deputy Director of Alternative Schools. While the focus of the meeting was to be on EZ Pawn, who decided not to attend the meeting, Roderick Sawyer, Alderman of the 6th ward invited Mrs. Vidis to come out and address the community. The uproar started last month when resident living near St. Clotilde Catholic Church (http://www.stclotildechurch.com/)noticed moving trucks full of supplies unloading these goods in the former elementary school. When they asked questions, they were rudely told by St. Clotilde and Milburn representatives it was none of their business. When the regular school schedule started they saw buses unloading students. Numerous attempts by residents and community organizations to find out information about this school went unanswered and finally when Alderman Sawyer inquired it was stated it was an alternative "safe" school for student ranging from the 6-12 grades who had been expelled from Chicago Public Schools (http://www.cps.edu/) who could be reinstated if they showed improvement in their behavior. Questions arose as to why the community wasn't notified by CPS, Chicago Archdioces( http://www.archchicago.org/)and St. Clotilde parish. Also, the community had questions about the students and the reason some were expelled because they noticed the school had armed security guards. CPS and the school's principal reached out to the Alderman after the story showed up on television and newspapers. The answers CPS gave were unacceptable to the community and they decided to send Ms. Vidis out to address the community's concerns. The Chicago Archdioces and St. Clotilde parish have yet to respond to numerous inquiries. Ms. Vidis was greeted by Mr. Tate with a straight forward and direct opening stating his displeasure with CPS, Chicago Archdioces, St. Clotilde parish over this matter. Mr. Tate stated CPS and Milburn's offer to create a community advisory council was far too little and way to late because this was something that should have been handled prior to the school's opening. Ms. Vidis stated that the CPS is mandated under State law to provide these young adults an education. A decision to move Milburn from the former Holy Angel's facility, because of health and safety concerns, were known back in early July. She further stated that the Chicago Archdioces offered Milburn the St. Clotilde location. These answers just fueled the anger of the crowd. Questions and comments from the audience ranged from the lack of disclosure from the Milburn, CPS and Archdioces parties who knew Milburn had to move from the former location. Also, that there have been allegations of residents witnessing a student engaging in indecent exposure and another skipping school. Also, it was asked why other Alternative and Charter Schools in the area such as Sullivan House,Charles Houston and Gary Comer locations were not considered. Ms. Vidis stated these students were not eligible to attend these schools because they were expelled from the CPS system and these schools are considered CPS schools. Also, Milburn won a competitive bidding process to offer this type of schooling. Per Milburn's website http://milburnschools.org/ they do not operate any other schools in Illinois. Lastly, after the call to void the Milburn contract and move the school, Ms. Vidis stated she would go back and speak with CPS legal counsel about the matter and would attempt to come up with some solutions to address the community's concerns. Also, the Chicago Police Department attended the meeting to address concerns over the violence that occurred this past weekend. A call by CAPCC to have the Chicago Public Library build a 15,000 sq ft building versus a 16,500 one and a half story building was brought up again. The final topic was cadidates introductions. Kari Steele stated she is runing for Water Reclamation District Commissioner. Two candidates made it public that they were running for 34th District State Representative seat that is being vacated by Constance Howard. Elgie Sims and Sondra Wortham both stated that they are in the running for the office and they join Paul Gregoire and Richard Wooten. The only question now is will Ms. Vidis come back out to Chatham for the Greater Chatham Alliance meeting and answer questions for those residents.

Did Chief Garry McCarthy Disrespect the Chatham Community?

This past Saturday morning the Greater Chatham Alliance (GCA), a community organization, held their monthly meeting at Carter Temple, 79th Wabash. This meeting was a departure from their normal format as the meeting focus was a community forum with Chicago Police Department Chief of Police, Garry McCarthy. The organization had been marketing this event for a month with door to door flyer distribution, robo calls, and traditional and internet press releases. Also, they asked "The Mayor" WVON radio host Cliff Kelly to moderate the question and answer portion of the meeting.

This was not going to be the first trip to the Chatham community for Chief McCarthy as he had been involved in a community forum hosted by Bobby Rush, Congressman for the 1st Congressional District, and The Chatham Avalon Park Community Council (CAPCC) in May and came out to a major crime scene several weeks ago.

The meeting gathered over 200 residents and media representatives from Channel 7, The Reader, Bloggers and independent reporters who came out despite the rain. Roderick T. Sawyer, Alderman of the 6th Ward stepped up to the podium at approximately 11:45am to introduce the Superintendent. Alderman Sawyer mentioned in his remarks that he had attended an event earlier this week with the Superintendent and mentioned that he would see him on Saturday. The Alderman stated that the Superintendent made no indication that he was not going to attend.

In an attempt to keep order, the Alderman introduced the new Chicago Police Commander of the 6th District, Eric Carter. Commander Carter is a veteran of the Chicago Police department and most recently served in the 4th district. As Commander Carter started his remarks he received a text and made an announcement that Chief McCarthy was not going to be attendance. There was no reason given and a number of attendees became visibly upset that after it took an hour for Chicago Police Department representatives to make announcement.

Although Chief McCarthy was not going to attend Commander Carter stayed and fielded questions from the audience moderated by Cliff Kelly. Some of the most popular questions centered around Chief McCarthy lack of attendance and perceived tardiness, Conceal & Carry and policing strategies being implemented. Commander Carter was able to answer most questions and did not answer the Conceal and Carry question.

The president of GCA, Roosevelt Vonil expressed his disappointment with Chief Mccarthy absence during his final remarks.

As of the writing of this post, there have been no published reports as to why the Superintendent was not in attendance. Should the Superintendent make a public apology to the Chatham community for not showing up or is his attendance at previous events sufficient? What do you think?

COMMUNITY ALERT - WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY - 006TH DISTRICT (GRESHAM)

Alert: COMMUNITY ALERT - WANTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY - 006TH DISTRICT (GRESHAM) Hi worlee glover, August 17, 2011 Alert # 620-11-026 Community Alert Wanted for Armed Robbery 006th District About This Crime • On Saturday July 16, 2011 at 6:49pm, two offenders entered Ashland Cleaners located at 8206 S. Ashland, displayed a handgun and demanded money form the clerk. The above offenders took the money and fled westbound on 82nd street from Ashland. About The Offender • The first offender was described as a male black, 30-35 years of age, 5'10-190-200lbs, wearing a black Kango hat, black t-shirt and black jeans. • The second offender was described as a male black, 30-35 years of age, 5'08, 150-160lbs, wearing a white t-shirt with blue jeans. • These offenders should be considered armed and dangerous. What You Can Do • Be aware of this situation and alert neighbors in the area about the crime. • If possible, don't walk alone and stay in well lit areas. • Call 911 to report any suspicious person(s), vehicle(s) or activity in your neighborhood. • Call 911 and provide a detailed description of the offender(s) including the vehicle description and license plate information. If you have any information about this incident, Please call the Area 2 Detective Division at (312) 747-8273 or email your tips to area2tipline@chicagopolice.org Reference RD# HT400673 For full details, view this message on the web.

Let's Stop The Hypocrisy- Let's Move Forward

 This past week was an ugly week in our community. First with  knuckle heads shooting at the King Drive bus and then the attempted armed robbery of a senior citizen. Fortunately, no was seriously hurt. Mr. Edward Alexander, 85 was shot in the thigh during the scuffle with his assailant. Mr. Alexander stated he fought back because you have to take a stand at some point.

Our community has said that Crime, Education, Economic Development, Seniors and Youth are our top priorities. This upcoming Saturday, August 20th starting at 9am the 6th ward will have events that address all of the above issues. Unfortunately, there was a lack of coordination among the event organizers but the events are in close proximity whereas individuals can attend several if they choose.

All the events are IMPORTANT and I wish that the event organizers asked their supporters to be respectful of all the events on that day. Acting a fool on social networking sites, posting over other events and making petty comments is disrespectful and unnecessary. All the "drive by community activist" need to relax because people are going to choose what events they want to attend and there is more than enough time for individuals to attend more than one.

This is the time for our community to show everyone we really care and let people like Mr. Alexander and the Wortham family that their act were not in vain. and are just not giving lip service to the issues that affect our community.

Why Isn't Everyone Happy About the Reopening of Happy's?

Picture Courtesy of The Sixth Ward Blog

Past by the corner of 79th Cottage Grove yesterday and was met by construction and the reopened Happy Liquors. I looked through all my emails and searched the Internet and I didn't notice any comments from all the CBO presidents, Alderman (Michelle Harris), and ministers who all stood up with their chest poked out claiming how bad they were because they got Happy's closed down. The reality was the closure was not due to any City of Chicago or State of Illinois Liquor license violations but rather City of Chicago building code violations.

Several weeks after the store closed I saw this lady outside the store sweeping trash. I stopped and asked her identity and she declined but did say she was hired by the building owner to sweep the sidewalk around the building. Also, it was noted that I saw two security officers patrolling the block of 79th between Cottage Grove and Drexel.

I guess we will see what happens by the end of the month when all parties are expected back in court.