The crime issue in Chicago

 

[VIDEO] I've been hearing about this on the radio today and decided this is a good story to share. We see a spat between Mayor Lightfoot and State's Attorney Foxx over the lack of charges in the case of a shooting in Austin on the west side.

Both the Mayor and the State's Attorney have polled under water as far as the crime issue this past August. Also bear in mind Cook County voters re-elected Kim Foxx last year.

I want to share another post from yesterday over at the CapFax which discusses the lack of charges in the Austin neighborhood shooting from last Friday. Here's one quotable:

False arrests and convictions have cost city taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. A more careful and just approach has been warranted, but this is ridic.

Is Lightfoot wrong in her comments towards the State's Attorney? Should there be more effort to charge the gunmen? 

State trooper dies on the Dan Ryan

I want to share a portrait of State Trooper Gerald Mason before we get to what was reported about his death. It's just amazing that he loses his life after the state police's starts to escalate their presence on Chicago area expressways.

Tonight, our state is grieving the loss of @ILStatePolice Trooper Gerald Mason.

He was a member of our Illinois community and had loved ones who cared for him. Bryan and I are praying for their strength.

May all who grieve find peace during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/s2sdXKIvKN

— Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) October 2, 2021

State Police to double presence on Chicago area expressways

 A subject I've been looking at of late and it seems there will be some efforts to make the commute safer for everyone traveling through the city. Story from the Lake & McHenry County Scanner

The Illinois State Police announced they will be more than doubling their patrol presence on Chicago area expressways beginning Friday in an effort to combat a surge in shootings.

The patrol presence will be increased by 157% during “peak criminal activity times” on Chicago area expressways as part of District Chicago’s Safe Drive Detail.

This increased presence will begin in the evening and continue through the overnight hour shifts, Illinois State Police (ISP) said.

...

As part of the Safe Drive Detail, the ISP will reallocate officers from around the state to District Chicago to prevent roadway violence and provide ISP Patrol District Chicago maximum staffing in high violence shifts throughout each month.

There will also be additional enforcement and visibility details taking place throughout Chicagoland expressways aimed at reducing violence.

“ISP’s number one priority is and will always be to keep the public safe. ISP officers will continue to proactively patrol Chicagoland expressways with the goal of ensuring public safety and preventing violence,” state police said in a statement.

CBS Chicago: Drivers who regularly take Dan Ryan say it's dangerous but have no choice

 

[VIDEO] This story from WBBM-TV was uploaded to YouTube on Friday discussing commuters who are concerned about the shooting incidents that often occur on the Dan Ryan Expressway. Noted was a fatal shooting on a Red Line train near Garfield on Thursday which trying to get home then was something of a concern although thankfully after some delays I got home. Also noted was that the State Police are installing license plate reading cameras which hopefully will enable authorities to get a handle on some of these incidents.

Anyone here want to talk about their commutes on the Dan Ryan? Any incidents you've seen that have left you concerned? Let us know.

Capitol Fax: As expressway shootings surge, state still working on cam contract

 Quite a few expressway shootings have happened on the Dan Ryan or the Bishop Ford aka Calumet Expressways or even on I-57 as you head west beyond 95th from the Dan Ryan. One solution is an "expressway cam" there are already 600 up that don't show video. And also a quick fact arrests are rare in these expressway shootings.

This is why I'm sharing yesterday's post from CapFax that shares some information about this issue.

As expressway shootings surge, state still working on cam contract https://t.co/mloch8lYGZ

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 7, 2021

I don't know if anyone who's reading this blog has experienced an expressway shooting and the disruptions that it creates. However we want to get to where we want to go safely and this is also worth discussing with your state legislators.

Did you hear about a shooting at 87/Dan Ryan late last month?

 

[VIDEO] I've wanted to post this since I found out about this on social media. The video above was posted to CBS Chicago's YouTube channel on June 25 and if I got the timing correct as I listen to the narration by reporter Charlie Del Mar this incident occurred the day before on a Thursday morning.

The man who recorded this dramatic footage Huber Pereznegron was sitting right behind when he sees a gunman get out of a vehicle to shoot at another vehicle somewhere ahead of them. This is a very scary situation to be a witness to and thankfully Pereznegron and his passenger weren't hurt in this incident.

This all happened at 87th and the Dan Ryan we know this is often a busy thoroughfare. How many people shop at that Jewel-Osco or go to that Chipotle or Wendy's? Conversely how many people shop at that Home Depot, Marshall's, or Food 4 Less?  How many people hear about this incident and choose not to go into those stores even if this is a rare incident?

Be careful out there.

Chicago Tribune: No bail for 55-year-old man arrested in fatal CTA bus stabbing in Chatham

This is very scary. You may have heard about the fatal stabbing on the Cottage Grove bus near 87th on Friday:

Van Crocker is accused of stabbing a 66-year-old man around 4:30 p.m. Friday on a CTA bus near 8600 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

According to prosecutors, after paying the bus fare and standing in front of the victim, Crocker pulled out a knife and stabbed the man in the chest.

The bus driver notified police. Officers arrived at the scene and recovered the knife from the defendant’s hand, prosecutors said. The stabbing was captured on CTA surveillance video.The 66-year-old man was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Crocker made admissions that he wanted to kill the man when he stabbed him, prosecutors said. Crocker and the man did not know each other.

Crocker’s public defender said he has a GED from Hirsch Metropolitan High School. She argued that Crocker has mental health issues and did not have the capacity during the stabbing or during interrogation by officers and was not checked for mental health conditions by officers.

Judge Arthur Willis denied Crocker bail, citing a threat posed by him to people in the community.

He wanted to kill the man on that bus but they didn't know each other. Be careful out there everyone. 

Here's a brief video from WBBM-TV about this story Crocker was in bond court on Sunday [VIDEO]

CBS Chicago: A year after the unrest

 

[VIDEO] I hate to share this on Memorial Day weekend where many of us expect things to begin to turn to normal as we're starting to get out of this pandemic. A year ago downtown was hit by rioting and the neighborhoods was hit by looting. 

We see shots of what looks like 95th & Calumet where business owner Shontee Ross' salon was looted the last weekend of May last year. She has deepened her resolve and will reopen her business near 69th & King Drive where we see drone shots from CBS 2 of that particular area. Ross does make the below statement:

“There’s no way that you can look at neighborhoods like this and say looting could have been justified,” Ross said.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy memorial day. 

WGN: CTA bus driver carjacked in employee parking lot Friday afternoon

 

[VIDEO] The incident shown here happened at 77th Bus Garage (210 W. 79th Street). Suspects carjacked a CTA bus driver who gave up his keys and ran. He was still shot at while running but wasn't hit - thank goodness.

This was said to be the third incident of gun violence towards CTA bus drivers with an incident at 57th & Laramie and on the 6 Jeffery Jump.

Be careful out there everyone.

WGN: Dreadhead Cowboy speaks out after expressway horseride

 

[VIDEO] It's been quite a delight probably for many of you who've seen him in person on the south side. It's been a delight to see any posts of him out there in unexpected settings a man on his horse on the south side. And then this latest stunt to protest gun violence by riding his horse on the Dan Ryan on Monday has opened up another charge, animal cruelty.

In recent reports it was noted that his horse was very exhausted and allegations that the horse was whipped to keep it moving forward. The Dreadhead Cowboy it has been noted is trying to find his horse. Authorities who are now concerned about the condition of the horse which reportedly may cause it to be euthanized.

Earlier this summer Adam Hollingsworth was among the action in downtown Chicago the last week in May where the most violent riots occurred in the wake of George Floyd's death. He had to fight allegations that he stole his horse - I don't know if it's the same horse he rode on the Dan Ryan with, however, the horse he had isn't the type of horse used by police. His car was even vandalized accordingly by people who probably don't care about the horse.

Regardless the recent charges of animal cruelty has only served to cause people to believe he treated his horse Nunu (sp?) inhumanely. I hope finds Hollingsworth finds his horse still alive.

Political Forum with Ald. Anthony Beale (Ward 9)

 

[VIDEO] I've been meaning to share this since getting the email blast from the Ald. Beale's office sharing the word on this. Ald. Beale has been a vocal opponent of Mayor Lori Lightfoot especially with the unrest going on in the city during our most tumultuous summer. You may have even seen him on FOX News last month and if you haven't here it is.

So here on this recent edition Beale talks about the financial issues facing the city during this pandemic and how he was able to prevent the looting of business in Ward 9.

A postal worker was shot in Burnside on Thursday

 

[VIDEO] According to the Tribune the mail carrier was not the intended target and it seems to be a drive by shooting. The US Postal Service is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leaders to the alleged shooter. She was just walking her route at 11:30 AM on Thursday when she was seriously wounded.

This was also added in case you may have some information with regards to this incident:

Police are also looking for help from the community and have asked anyone with tips to call Area 2 detectives, 312-747-8271. People also may call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service tip line at 1-877-876-2455 (say “Law Enforcement”) and reference Case No. 3157692.

You hear about the shooting at a pancake house in Morgan Park?

[VIDEO] Beverly/Morgan Park/Mount Greenwood is a part of the city known for the residency of city workers especially first responders (i.e. police and fire), however, that area which is mostly part of Ward 19 is known as a politically important area. I would have a tough time believing that they would tolerate a crime like this. I even would say shootings wouldn't occur there then came Sunday afternoon.

As you see in the CBS Chicago report above one man was shot fatally - said to be the intended target - four others were injured as they dined in an outside tent at a pancake house on Western Avenue.

Tribune: ‘I’ve never had to think about my own safety in this way before’: Shaken by summer looting in affluent neighborhoods, some Chicagoans are moving away.

I'm sharing this wondering how many of you are looking into leaving the city with what's been going on crime-wise in this city?

They understand why protesters and rioters have poured onto the streets of downtown, and some acknowledge that crime is worse in other parts of Chicago. Some also agree with protesters that something systemic needs to be changed.

But they don’t want to wait it out here in the city, fearful of stepping outside at night and hoping for things to maybe get better.

They want out.

“Not to make it all about us; the whole world is suffering,” said Amber, a 30-year-old nurse who lives in River North. “This is a minute factor in all of that, and we totally realize that. We are very lucky to have what we do have.

“But I do think that I’ve never had to think about my own safety in this way before.”

Incidents of widespread looting and soaring homicide figures in Chicago have made national news during an already tumultuous year. As a result, some say residents in affluent neighborhoods downtown, and on the North Side, no longer feel safe in the city’s epicenter and are looking to move away. Aldermen say they see their constituents leaving the city, and it’s a concern echoed by some real estate agents and the head of a sizable property management firm.

2020 has definitely became quite a year with the coronavirus pandemic and issues with crime and then then riots and looting. Very tumultuous, but I do wonder how many people who are able to move are moving?

WGN News: Cook County Commissioner on city's response to looting

[VIDEO] I'm sharing this with you to show one response to the looting that took place early on Monday overnight. Brandon Johnson is a sitting Cook County Commissioner representing the first district of Cook County.

The WGN anchors states Commissioner Johnson is calling for defunding the police. Johnson explains why these individuals were looting on Monday. Johnson explains that what we saw earlier this week is an expression of frustration and anguish with regards to poverty over many generations....

Here we go he's excusing this behavior. The worst part of this behavior is it wasn't just another Black person shot by police, it was misinformation that even the Mayor of Chicago had to take to twitter to address.

There is a false rumor on social media that police officers killed a 15-year-old on Sunday. Here are the facts:
- Officers responded to 911 calls about an armed man in Englewood
- A 20-year-old suspect fired at officers, gunfire was exchanged
- The suspect is in stable condition

— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) August 10, 2020

Misinformation causes anguish and frustration over proverty during the course of many generations. I had to turn this off once I heard him start with the excuses. Is there any leader in the Democratic machine that is willing to stand up to this lawlessness. Where is the leadership?

Become part of the solution

I'm very dismayed at the unrest that unfolded over the weekend here in Chicago. I witnessed the demonstrations in downtown Chicago and unfortunately the vandalism of Chicago's streets and businesses having seen graffiti on not only streets and buildings and buses also. Even seen streaks where it was apparent someone threw something at a window on some buildings.

I get that people are upset about what happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Mr. George Floyd. It's generally agreed regardless of your political affiliation or even ethnicity that the police officers involved in his arrest and death had a very callous disregard for that man's life. It's great that people are demonstrating another instance of police mistreatment of yet another citizen.

What bothers me is the destruction not only of downtown Chicago which I know the city itself will do its best to take care of. It's the destruction in looting in south side neighborhoods. An area of the city which could ill afford it.

I've seen people bring up 1968 - there were riots after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. - there are parts of this city that never recovered from those riots sadly. And I'm definitely concerned that those areas hard hit by the recent looting and violent may take a long time for recovery.

I've seen reports of the Walmart in Chatham on 83rd & Stewart was not only looted, it was also on fire. I've not been up there to see what's been going on with that, however, I'm sure many of us assume it's still standing and will be repaired.

I remember the debate over bringing a Walmart to that location. The debate was over the rate of pay for Walmart workers. Another debate unfortunately was racial as people were concerned about who'd shop there as people of many backgrounds will shop there. Some of those comments were seen on this blog at that time.

Ald. Howard Brookins was eventually successful in getting a Walmart on 83rd and it's sad to see that in a matter of days his hardwork to bring new stores and jobs into the community has suffered a reversal. As of now it appears that this Walmart will be reopened in the near future, I did start off pessimistic on this and I'm glad the recent unrest wont close any Walmarts in the city.

Just about 13 years ago J.P. Paulus and I started this blog. My goal was to create something of a community blog akin to blogs such as the now defunct Broken Heart of Roger's Park, Uptown Update, Sloopin' and even Edgeville Buzz. I don't know if this blog had fully fulfilled that mission over the years though by some accounts whether second hand or personally it seems that we have.

I don't consider myself a community activist or even a journalist though some have argued as such over the years. I do know that as of now, my goal is to be part of the solution.

My goal is to continue updating you all especially with our fb page. You all stay safe out there

Store owner shot & killed during robbery in Park Manor

[VIDEO] A store clerk was killed in a shooting Friday afternoon when his store on the first block of 71st Street was robbed. As always be careful out there thankfully four suspects have been arrested. Two of those suspects are in the hospital for gun shot wounds.

More from Chicago Sun-Times.

And as always be careful out there. 

Man fatally Shot In The Pharmacy Drive-Thru 0n 75th & State

[VIDEO] Here's a story from the Tribune:

A man was shot and killed as he sat in his SUV in a Walgreens drive-through lane in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, according to Chicago police.

Kendredge Dillard, 27, was shot in the head around 9:50 p.m. in the first block of East 75th Street by someone in a black sedan, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Dillard lived about a mile away in the 8000 block of South Stewart Avenue.

A female with him was taken to St. Bernard Hospital with minor injuries from flying glass flying, police said.

No one was in custody.

A beige SUV, its front doors open, was the focus of the crime scene that stretched between the Walgreens and South State Street. Both of the doors’ windows were mostly shot out. Officers shined flashlights into the SUV and on the slushy ground around it. One of them kicked over a lump of snow to see what was underneath.

As always be very careful out there! 

Fatal shooting in Roseland Saturday night #Ward09

[VIDEO] This incident took place in a store. Two are dead including the victim who had a conceal carry permit and one of the robbers. However another person in this store survives and police are looking for the other robber.

This took place in Roseland near 112th & Michigan Ave.

Capitol Fax: Stop arguing and get to work

On Rich Miller's blog on Friday he does a round-up of police stories in Chicago. He starts off with a feud brewing between the top two vote getters in this year's mayoral runoff which resulted in Lightfoot getting the nod for the 5th floor.

All the same there was a letter from county board president Toni Preckwinkle circulating complaining about how Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson tracks gun crimes and  to"stop misleading the public about why gun violence remains a challenging problem in Chicago". Which leads to repeating the mayoral runoff earlier this year.

Finally the big news from earlier this week four police officers were fired from their jobs for the cover-up with regards to the murder of LaQuan McDonald.

Stop arguing and get to work https://t.co/kG4prr4ZDN

— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) July 19, 2019

Quite a few interesting series of stores with regards to the Chicago Police recently. I do hope that Mayor Lightfoot and president Preckwinkle can stop campaigning and work on these police issues. And to quote Miller: "This fight is so tedious. People are dying in the street and “leaders” are relitigating the election."

As the post title states stop arguing and get to work!