We received this report from a reader about another gunfire incident over the weekend, right on our residential streets. Folks, we can't stress enough how important it is that there's a huge turnout at the Town Hall meeting this Wednesday. For years, Uptowners have been ignored or belittled by our elected officials when we've complained about crime and violence. Now there are two politicians who've been listening and are holding a meeting to hear our concerns. Let's hope that incidents like the one described below happen less and less as we do everything we can to create safer streets and a healthy community.
I was awoken last night by about 7 gunshots on the corner of Sunnyside and Hazel - the corner which I live on. They were so loud last night, that I leaped out of my bed and down onto the floor, fearing getting hit by a stray bullet. After the gunshots, my boyfriend and I heard someone shrieking outside, literally screaming bloody murder. I called 911 but it was busy.
The whole corner was lit up like a carnival - at least 4 cop cars, an ambulance, and if I recall correctly, a fire truck as well. We caught a glimpse of a man going insane, being arrested on the hood of a cop car. He was the one screaming and I heard a cop yelling at him to "stop being a fucking idiot".
This is definitely not the first time I have ever heard gunshots out on this corner since I've lived here {a year now}. Since March, gunfire has been at least a monthly occurrence. This was the biggest one that I was around for. I wish I knew more details, but of COURSE the newspapers never report ANYTHING.
about what time of night was this?
ReplyDeleteCommunity policing will sometimes give you the info on shootings. I've called them several times about incidents on Malden and Leland, and they're pretty helpful, but if no person or property was hit, they won't have any info. I don't have the number off hand, but I'm sure someone else does...you could call and ask.
ReplyDeleteI also live at this intersection and have noticed an increase in activity lately. Specifically a group that likes to hang out one the north east corner. For the most part they're benign but groups attract groups and there are loitering laws. Don't feel guilty. Call the police.
ReplyDeleteAlso the fence around the construction for the school at the corner of Sunnyside and Broadway has provided a nice little pocket for people to congregate, drink, fight and harass passers by. I have to walk past this growing group every day and don't appreciate the "attention". I've called the cops but nothing has been done.
My cell phone has a time stamp on the 911 call of 2:13am.
ReplyDeleteWe live at Hazel and Agatite, and my roommate heard this incident too. We are also the apartment on Agatite that was hit by a stray bullet in March; we have a bullet hole in our living room wall, just over the television.
ReplyDeleteI'm planning on attending the meeting on Wednesday, but I've never been to one before- what should we be prepared to do or to say? I don't know what to expect, and frankly, this meeting needs to be successful, because this is getting ridiculous.
Is there any kind of record of all these shooting that have happened recently? I could see them being laid out and presented in a "timeline" type fashion painting an eye-opening picture for this Town Hall meeting
ReplyDeleteDon't forget. Before you leave for the town hall meeting, set your tvs to record our alderman on CAN-TV. She will be on at 7 P.M. on chanel 21. I'm not sure that is the correct channel for all.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a great experience for new members of the community to watch her in action.
Dana - I'm pretty sure there are not loitering laws. Unfortunantly.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, it's ok to call 911 and say people are being suspicious, etc. But the cops can't bust them just for hanging out. I wish they could...
Thanks Colin. I'm a little behind on my legislation. Guess those anti-loitering laws were repealed as unconstitutional a couple years back.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/US/9906/10/scotus.01/
It's a shame that a few bad apples make me question the Bill of Rights.
I think that we should all fill out the gang and drug form that is on this website.
ReplyDeleteWe could even post the addresses and problem buildings on UU so that there will be multiple records of each building.
All of the forms could be collected at the meeting since the commander of the 23rd district will be there.
What can be done? More cops can be assigned to our area. I know someone who just moved to the north side of Hyde Park (a few blocks from Obama) and the area is desolate, I mean WAY scarier looking than our area. But my friend said they don't have any problems because the area is crawling with cops - which was done in an effort to clean up the area. Of course, I'm sure the alderman had something to do with that.
ReplyDeleteCops have been very visible around Magnolia the last few weeks, and it was noticeably quieter last weekend - their efforts are greatly appreciated, but as far as I can tell there just aren't nearly enough of them to blanket all the needy areas of the city.
ReplyDeleteHi guys. I live on Windsor/hazel/sheridan area and have had continual problems getting the police interest in this aera. I am so sorry for those of you who had the shooting in front of your place in the AM. We had a similar in front of our place about two months ago. The gangs were hanging out directly in front of our front door, and they were accosting members of our condo unit on a daily night. We call 911 all the time. I know there are definitely curfew laws, because one of the sergeants who was kind enough to give me his direct line did tell me to call regarding that. We were having so much trouble with cars getting smashed on our street as well, too, that enough people were calling and the police would respond. However, I did have to call the 23d continually when the gangs started back up on my street. You basiclly have to call the 23d district and let them know about the activity occuring on your street, and let them know about the neighborhood concern. The last few nights it has been very nice aruond here. But let them know that you will take pics, videos, etc.
ReplyDeleteCouple things to note:
ReplyDelete1) I recently found out about these wonderful things called "half sheets" that you use to record consistant trouble. Turn them in at your CAPS meetings and they are used to target the most troubled spots in the neighborhood.
2) Not all 911 calls are responded to. You should always get a case number and make a follow up call later on.
3) There is a "No Loitering" sign in the north-east corner of Sunnyside and Broadway under which a group has parked their milk crate for seating and hangs at every day. The sign does seem to go unheeded. There IS, however, an enforcable law prohibiting alchohol and drug use within 500 feet of a school or house of worship. This law is left unenforced placing all the children in Greahm school at great physical risk. There are also TWO methadone clinics within the same distance.
All of this is known to Shiller.
I'm moving now. I feel like I've surrendered, but what's next? Me getting hit by a bullet?
ReplyDeleteThe superintendent of my building says all those gang kids are people the police know about - and they're from Cabrini Green.
See ya later, kids. This place is too much.
Sorry to add more fuel, but I moved out of Shiller's ward only 3 months ago to Mary Ann Smith's. Now I own a condo in each ward. The one in Schiller's ward is a great place, but hasn't sold yet. One of the potential buyers who liked it very well was turned off when he discovered Shiller is the alderman. He wouldn't even consider it then. She has a huge effect on your property values, more than I ever imagined.
ReplyDelete