Comments on Uptown Update: 3 Shot, 1 Dead, On Sheridan Road

Will the Repass gathering be held at the Clarendo...

2008-09-03T03:10:08.396-05:00

Will the Repass gathering be held at the Clarendon Park Field House?

He got a memorial on Lakeside that isn't where he ...

2008-09-02T16:13:42.756-05:00

He got a memorial on Lakeside that isn't where he died.

Is their 2 memorials for this thug?

The "gang members" seemed to very well know what t...

2008-09-02T11:39:48.714-05:00

The "gang members" seemed to very well know what took place, yet no officials were questioning them.

I'm pretty sure the gang members would claim ignorance to the facts if they were questioned by the cops.

When are all of the members of our community, weal...

2008-09-02T09:58:19.864-05:00

When are all of the members of our community, wealthy, poor, black, white, hispanic, going to come together and agree that there is no room for sympathy once a "gang banger" chooses to flail a gun in teh air and put all of our lives at risk by doing so?

Note that this known gang member got a nice little memorial on the sidewalk where he died, so I don't think our community is ready to say enough is enough, or at least, a certain part of our community isn't.

len, I think alot of us feel the same way. "succes...

2008-09-01T16:01:45.308-05:00

len, I think alot of us feel the same way.

"success is not measured so much by our accomplishments in life but by what we had to overcome in the process. ..."

Booker T. Washington
~not enough Booker T's in uptown/chicago or the US of A.

Stef mentioned that people are being racist by cal...

2008-09-01T11:44:59.052-05:00

Stef mentioned that people are being racist by calling these people animals. I feel that is a total bunch of crap. If our society was still "racist" would the democratic nominee be black? I doubt it. What people are sick and tired of are the people who use their race as an excuse or blame "the man" for their situation. I personally feel the problem at the end of the day is these kids parents. It takes a community to raise a child...bull crap. These parents need to stop living mentally in a society that doesn't like minorities and teach their kids that the only way to succeed in this society is through hard work and determination. I dont want to hear any crap about their situations. At one point in my life, my family was on welfare. I now own a condo, am married, have a great job making over 6 figures a year, have a nice car and oh yeah...I'm debt free(minus the condo of course). I dont have a college eduacation because part of my parents struggle didn't afford for them to pay for my school, yet they made too much at that point for me to get any financial assistance.

Helen thinks we "white yuppie condo owners" dont like poor people. Thats bull. I just think people like me are sick to my stomach because we see people who use their current situation as an excuse to act like thugs and animals. This is the USA, no one should be poor. Everyone has a chance. You just have to stop sticking your hand out asking for everything and get to work.

Not thinking like that is why this neigborhood is messed up and the parents of these kids are part of the problem and not the solution.

These parents need to wake up, and be parents. It starts there. No where else.

Some may find this interesting - I created a word ...

2008-09-01T01:32:13.322-05:00

Some may find this interesting - I created a word cloud of Uptown Update which you can find here.

In case you're unsure of what's going on, this web app scans a blog, strips out common English words (the, in, etc.), then builds an image of what's left -- creating a word cloud. The larger the word in the cloud, the more prominent it is in the blog.

What's interesting is that the word "Police" is almost as large the word "Uptown".

Chip,That's 2011. See you at the polls...

2008-09-01T01:09:16.041-05:00

Chip,

That's 2011. See you at the polls...

GuitarjunkieA phone tree helps speed police respon...

2008-08-31T22:27:29.847-05:00

Guitarjunkie

A phone tree helps speed police response. If their are multiple 911 calls it becomes more of a priority. Police are dispatched according to priority of incoming calls.

The neighborhood needs people in your unfortunate position to KEEP stepping up.

Odds are this chump will be in jail soon for something and out of your life for good.

Most time if P.D. doesn't seem to be doing anything about open drug markets it is because they are building a case with surviellence.

When are all of the members of our community, weal...

2008-08-31T21:56:29.169-05:00

When are all of the members of our community, wealthy, poor, black, white, hispanic, going to come together and agree that there is no room for sympathy once a "gang banger" chooses to flail a gun in teh air and put all of our lives at risk by doing so? I am a democrat, and believe in, and support programs for young children who do not have parental guidance, support and motivation, in order to keep the lure of the gangs away. I believe that as a country, a city, and a community, we have failed many of the poor, and predominately black children of Chicago. At the same time, however, we all have to say ENOUGH to the violence, especially those who live in the government assisted housing who are law abiding citizens, instead of making excuses TIME AFTER TIME for these gang members. As soon as these kids join these gangs, their choices no longer become their own, but ones that effect everyone around them. Yes, it's sad that they didn't have the guidance to stay out. But it's too late to worry about that when the risk of random gun violence is on the street. Would we allow a serial killer to run rampant just because he/she "didn't have a chance when they were little?" No-the risks are too high for society. We instead convict them. We also have an obligation to children to ensure that they have alternatives to joining a gang. Education that is equal to education in a neighboring area. Mentors to look up to. But these kids don't have a fighting chance when a gang member 5 years older is running the street because we, as a society, keep making excuses.

I was riding my bike from the Lake back into the n...

2008-08-31T21:40:42.604-05:00

I was riding my bike from the Lake back into the neighborhood when I saw the police activity/yellow tape and gathering of people in the area. I initially asked the police what happened when they responded, "nothing". I explained to the officer (a woman officer) that, since I live in this neighborhood, where violence has significantly increased in the past year, I felt that it was important for me to find out if this was another daytime shooting. I rode around the barriers, where several bystanders were discussing the situation, both gang members and regular neighborhood residents and/or professionals. The "gang members" seemed to very well know what took place, yet no officials were questioning them. Several neighborhood residents all had the same story to tell. The victim and his gang physically beat up members of another gang last week. The victim was shot by the gang member who was beat up in retaliation for last week's incident. Period. This seemed to be very well known among many different people.

"There are a lot of problems that exist in Uptown,...

2008-08-31T20:45:12.742-05:00

"There are a lot of problems that exist in Uptown, so many that it is impossible for our government to be able to handle it all."

Now, while picking up the trash is always good Im not sure it is going to help with kids taking bullets in the head. Same with working these programs. Seems to be tons of people working at these programs in Uptown, yet that didn't stop the violence.

My advice? Get involved to get Helen out of office in 2010. That is priotity #1! She has ruled Uptown long enough. She gave it a shot. While she may have started off strong she has now failed over and over again. Uptown had been on the Upswing due to people taking a chance and investing in the area. She has put hurdle upon hurdle in the way of progress.

Maybe you right Stef, maybe it is impossible for our government to fix all our problems. I wouldn't ask it to. But as Heather Stean said at the meeting and the US constituion states it is governments job to PROTECT it's citizens. Right now our elected officials are failing in that regard.

"What can I do about: my neighbor?, neighborhood?,...

2008-08-31T19:44:22.843-05:00

"What can I do about: my neighbor?, neighborhood?, home?, you name it, I'm stuck, any suggestions?"

Getting involved at the local boys and girls club, or with Urban Initiatives, the Inspiration Corporation, or any of the many other non-profits in our neighborhood who service the youth and the homeless might be a good start. Maybe that way you can get in on a more centralized, controlled and more personal level, and really get to meet people who live here. There are a lot of problems that exist in Uptown, so many that it is impossible for our government to be able to handle it all. There are a good number of social services in this area working to address these problems, but they all need more volunteers. I also like to try to pick up the trash when I see it, and try to get other parents to do it with me when I am at the park with my son. If you want to see change in the neighborhood, we have to try to do some of it ourselves.

Guitarjunkie, you may want to fill out a gang/drug...

2008-08-31T18:07:51.326-05:00

Guitarjunkie, you may want to fill out a gang/drug form to note where he lives and the criminal activities in which he is engaging. Also, if he is a juvenile and you see him out after curfew, call 911 to report it. It may sound petty but the cops will nab him for a curfew violation (and may find something on him).

The vic was a known and active gang member, as was...

2008-08-31T16:19:23.669-05:00

The vic was a known and active gang member, as was the shooter the police are looking for and the other scumbags taken into custody. I am sure they all have extensive criminal and juvenile records. Hopefully they will charge and convict all three - four fewer scumbags on the street. They will most certainly sing like birds as soon as they are formally charged with murder and attempt murder. Thank god no innocent people were injured in this shooting.

Just trying to lighten the moodNeighborhood watch ...

2008-08-31T12:26:03.974-05:00

Just trying to lighten the mood

Neighborhood watch training video

Your friendly neighborhood Millicent

With all of the violence that continues in our nei...

2008-08-31T10:39:15.548-05:00

With all of the violence that continues in our neighborhood, it's comforting to know that a gangbanger lives next door to me. That was sarcasm. He just left on his bike, red shirt, red hat. A few things trouble me and I am looking for advice:
A. He lives in a building with a lot of young kids that seemingly have little parental involvement and/or supervision.
B. I have spoken with his father in the past about his violent behavior directed towards my dogs (before I was aware of his affiliation). Now I am concerned about the safety of my family.
C. I want to be pro-active in my community, but I have no idea what I can do. I call 911 when I see something that looks funny,nut it takes them forever to respond. A week ago, I spotted a group of kids wresting on Winthrop outside the Aragon. They were throwing punches and kicking eachother while they were down. I called the 911 and was told that another call was in about that situation and a unit was en route. I went to the store and passed the scene a half hour later. Not only was the wrestling still active, the crowd doubled in size. I called 911 again and waited. 10 minutes later we saw a squad.
I don't sit on my hands, I joined a block club, I donate money to worthy causes, including the WY lawsuit. I keep my eyes and ears open and look out for the young kids on my block. What else can I do? Someone wrote that the cops won't work for their boss in our local precinct, that's bullsh*t! They work for the people and they are not doing their job if they refuse to respond to calls for help. I grew up in the roughest part of Lakeview, which had weekly gang fights. Now it's one of the richest neighborhoods in the city. I am starting to regret moving here. I don't see any action. I want to help, what else can I do? Wha can I do about: my neighbor?, neighborhood?, home?, you name it, I'm stuck, any suggestions?

Joe L, in my opinion, Uptown is one of the very la...

2008-08-31T02:30:30.404-05:00

Joe L, in my opinion, Uptown is one of the very last places I'd ever describe as "helpless," learned or not. In fact, Ald. Shiller's blatant disregard for the community and its opinions have led us to self-reliance, if only as a means of survival.

- Citizen Patrols in Clarendon Park.

- Two separate citizen-financed lawsuits to block or change projects that have significant resident opposition.

- Active and effective resident-founded organizations such as UNC, UCC, Wilson Area Merchants, and FORUM.

- A community meeting of more than 400 residents that was held as a result of a group of citizens who were fed up with crime approaching the state senator and state rep.

- Telephone and text trees to inform neighbors of significant events and as a quick way to mobilize them to call 911

- Fundraisers for parks

- Community gardens

- 50+ people attending each CAPS beat meeting

I'm sure there's more, but it's late and I'm tired. Let me just say that I've lived in big cities my entire life and this is the most proactive, caring community I've ever experienced.

The irony is that if we had a responsive alderman, much of the closeness that we've developed just in trying to have our voices heard might not have happened.

'JOE', I think most people aren't wondering why th...

2008-08-31T00:40:46.889-05:00

'JOE', I think most people aren't wondering why the 'government' isn't doing enough.....I think most people are wondering why Alderman Helen Shiller has created this tainted Petrie dish of a failed experiment up here.
I'm wondering why she brushes off crime i as 'not my issue', and why she thinks the heavy concentration of Section 8's couldn't possibly lead to abnormal amounts of crime.

I mean......the comment of her staffer last month, "This isn't your college campus sweetie" pretty much says it all, no?

I notice that whenever we have a tragedy, people c...

2008-08-30T22:51:26.158-05:00

I notice that whenever we have a tragedy, people complain that the Government is not doing enough. I wonder why people seldom ask, "What can my loved ones and I do?" I guess Learned Helplessness is always the easiest route to one's end, and people notoriously prefer the easiest route to any end.

Good thing Daley doesn't allow handguns in Chicago...

2008-08-30T20:14:32.443-05:00

Good thing Daley doesn't allow handguns in Chicago. One of the old folks strolling down the street may have popped a cap in the killa's ass. Wouldn't want that now. Instead, make it so only the gangbangers are the ones carrying. Smart politics. Why again are these people getting re-elected time and time again?

I live right there, and I went to J.J. Pepper at 4...

2008-08-30T17:53:31.503-05:00

I live right there, and I went to J.J. Pepper at 4:00 PM, and there were cops everywhere. Did the shooter use a car, or did he get away on foot? Is there a description of the shooter?

Ald. Shiller has a lot of support in 920 Lakeside....

2008-08-30T15:20:25.025-05:00

Ald. Shiller has a lot of support in 920 Lakeside. I'm frankly very surprised she hasn't made a statement, at the very least.

When the son of one of her office workers, Pam Barton, was murdered in a very similar fashion a few years ago, the alderman was all over the place, in the papers, etc. The Trib gave him a huge obituary/news story.

Maybe she's boxed herself into a corner, because she's never addressed any of the murders or gunfire before, including the one that happened just outside her office.

She needs to be forced out now. This is outrageous...

2008-08-30T15:13:09.059-05:00

She needs to be forced out now. This is outrageous!

Mary Ann Smith and the other Alderman surrounding ...

2008-08-30T15:03:02.458-05:00

Mary Ann Smith and the other Alderman surrounding the warzone otherwise known as Uptown.. WHAT ARE YOU DOING ? Or, are you too afraid of Helen? Or does Daley have too much power for you to speak up?

OTHER AREA ALDERMAN,,, where is your conscience? WHAT SPECIFICIALLY ARE YOU DOING TO HELP?