Midday gun battle shocks Uptown residentsWitnesses wouldn’t sign complaints
News-Star, July 23, 2008
A mid-afternoon gun battle last week across traffic near the corner of Wilson and Malden in Uptown showed one man how quickly - and easily - it was to get caught in crossfire.
The Uptown man, who requested his name be withheld because he fears for his safety, said he was driving home from work at about 3:30 p.m. July 15. As he headed westbound on Wilson toward Malden in slow traffic, he heard what he thought were firecrackers exploding nearby.
"I saw two shooters shooting about 100 feet north of the intersection at Malden and Wilson in the middle of the Malden," the man said. "One car was double-parked and the shooter was shooting from behind or at the side of the car in a southerly direction toward another shooter who was standing in the front of my car, about 5 feet from my passenger window, where the sidewalks convene at Wilson and Malden."
There's a lot more to this story. Read the entire article before making any snap judgments. Click here.
The Uptown man, who requested his name be withheld because he fears for his safety, said he was driving home from work at about 3:30 p.m. July 15. As he headed westbound on Wilson toward Malden in slow traffic, he heard what he thought were firecrackers exploding nearby.
"I saw two shooters shooting about 100 feet north of the intersection at Malden and Wilson in the middle of the Malden," the man said. "One car was double-parked and the shooter was shooting from behind or at the side of the car in a southerly direction toward another shooter who was standing in the front of my car, about 5 feet from my passenger window, where the sidewalks convene at Wilson and Malden."
There's a lot more to this story. Read the entire article before making any snap judgments. Click here.
At least it is getting some media attention. Although luckily noone was injured, this should have been the top story on the evening news that night.
ReplyDeleteDid you all notice how Daley has asked the media not to report on the violence in the city and instead offer a more balanced point of view. It looks like we are going alone on this one again. No help from Shiller or Daley. If you want something done do it yourself.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can form an Uptown neighborhood street patrol similar to what other high crime areas have done in areas such as New York City. Private citizens pair up and walk the streets and take care of the problems ourselves. At least we know that there would be some action!
P.S. To really get at Daley e-mail the Olympic selction committee and tell them how unsafe it is to be in Chicago in the summer. Cite the violence and that Chicago is too dangerous with all of the gangs and violence to host the Olympics. If we can't protect our children from being shot at and killed, how can we protect the children of other countries? Goodbye Daley legacy!!!
Here is the link to the IOC Executive Board:
http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/ioc/executive/members_uk.asp
To any lawyers out there:
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the problem is that firing a gun in the city is only a misdemeanor (ticket). Couldn't we get a city ordinance that gives stiffer penalties for that (especially if you are not a registered gun owner---which you can't be if you have any felony convictions?) This problem of folks not wanting to put their butts on the line for a $45 ticket is understandable and probably more so in situations where the witnesses are already well known to the shooters.
And, BTW $45??? Law-abiding citizens pay more for failing to move their cars on street cleaning days!!
Here is a novel use of small claims court to deal with a crack house. It probably wouldn't work for CHA/HRC housing. Are there any problem buildings that are owned by landlords and about which local residents have not had any relief through housing court?
ReplyDeleteNYT article
The $45.00 is wrong
ReplyDelete8-24-010 Discharging firearms.
No person shall fire or discharge any gun, pistol, or other firearm within the city, except upon premises used by a duly licensed shooting gallery, gun club, or rifle club, or in accordance with the provisions of Section 8-24-050 of this Code.
No cannon or piece of artillery shall be discharged or fired off in any public way or other public place within the city, except upon the express permission of the city council.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $250.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to sheriffs, coroners, constables, members of the police force, or other peace officers engaged in the discharge of their official duties, or to any person summoned by any of such officers to assist in making arrests or preserving the peace while such person so summoned is engaged in assisting such officer.
Well, that explains why it has been so quiet at the Sunnyside Mall lately. 8 drug dealers were arrested the day after last week's shooting. It's been really nice around here, I gotta say.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to write the President of the International Olympic Committee. Address is below
ReplyDeleteJaques Rogge, President
International Olympic Committee
Château de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
Well, that explains why it has been so quiet at the Sunnyside Mall lately. 8 drug dealers were arrested the day after last week's shooting.
ReplyDeleteReally, totally agree.
I have a theory that if ten people - just ten - who cause most of the chaos here were removed, all of Uptown would have greatly improved quality of life.
It has been extremely quiet at Sunnyside Mall. Now is the time to reclaim the spot. Go there and do positive loitering, hopefully that will deter anyone from coming back. If we're out there reading/chatting, whatever, they will not want to sell drugs there anymore.
ReplyDelete