What's going on with this bus shelter at 79th/Cottage Grove

79th/Cottage Grove bus shelter loitering

You might have seen this photograph circulating on Facebook and I've been trying to determine where at 79th/Cottage Grove this was located. I see in a recent article from Block Club Chi that this was probably in front of the currency exchange on the north east corner of 79th & Cottage.

A bench was removed from this shelter and people who want to just hang out here simply bring their own chairs. I've even seen reports online that although these loiterers may seem menacing at first glance have been courteous enough to offer their chairs to those waiting for a bus. Certainly a plus for any senior citizen who are taking public transit.

However, this is an issue that the police and the 8th Ward Ald. Michelle Harris are looking to take care of the loitering and have taken steps:

Administrators of the Concerned Citizens of Chatham, a popular neighborhood Facebook page, said there were requests to remove the bus shelter bench, as well as one on 71st Street and Indiana Ave., due to the robberies and other “dangerous activities” at both locations.

The shelter bench at 71st Street remained in place as of Sunday.

Harris and 6th District Police Cmdr. Rahman Muhammad said they believe the removals are a good way to combat loitering. But when asked about how the removal affects elderly riders and passengers with disabilities, Harris said the move removal was only temporary.

“Once we get things under control, it will return,” Harris said. “I and Cmdr. Muhammad will be monitoring the intersection for the next week or so, and going from there.”

Muhammad said he is taking a “three-pronged approach” to tackle the problem.

“Firstly, offering those individuals a warning to leave the area, while at the same time giving them job fliers for employment opportunities,” Muhammad said.

Harris and Muhammad are planning to meet with CTA leadership “in the near future” about the issue and possible solutions.

“There will be weekly updates,” said Harris, who added that she hopes to have a meeting with the owner of the nearby currency exchange to persuade them to hire security.

Here's an update with the above photo from Worlee Glover's Concerned Citizens of Chatham

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Loitering at 7846 S. Michigan

The house at 7846 S. Michigan is currently unoccupied, and has been a haven for young (ealry 20's, it seems) loiterers who are there just hanging out and drinking.

They were also next door at 7842 S. Michigan. It's unknown if anyone lives there, and if they are aware of the loitering and drinking.

This is behind the parking lot of Taylor Funeral home and down the alley from Carter Temple Church.

i didn't take a picture with the loiterers because they have seen my face too many times for them to just let me do it. The last picture is the interior of the rear guest house, which has the back door open.

In talking with a neighbor, she has mentioned that neighbors have called about the house several times, but that police don't do anything about it. Also, she said no one has lived there for years.

According to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, in searching the PIN 20-27-319-026-0000 the last action was in 2005 (not including a notice form the city in 2008). Allegedy it was up for auction in Ocotber 2009. But evidently, no one claimed it. Certainly no activity (such as new ownership) has been listed there for the past few months

The property seems like a good one for a church. Other urban churches have mission groups who stay in the community. This would be a great property for that.


Perhaps they can work on the back building first and then use the guest house in back for some volunteers who can have a hand in cleaning and repairing the front.

So what can we do to prevent this from being a haven for loiterers, alcoholics & gangbangers?