Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Shootings?

We're hearing there's a lot of police activity at Winthrop and Lawrence, and (from another Updater) that there were three shootings in Uptown in the past 20 minutes. Not sure if they're the same incident. Please leave any additional information in the comments.

Update: There were reports of three different shootings. The only one confirmed is a gangbanger-shoots-gangbanger attack at Wilson and Broadway. It's not life-threatening and the victim was taken to Weiss Hospital. (One common tactic gangbangers use when they shoot at each other is to call 911 with false reports to draw the police to other areas and create confusion. We wonder if this is what's going on here.)

Update 2: Chicago Breaking News has the story on the Wilson/Sheridan shooting. We're hearing lots of different rumors, but nothing concrete, about the other two reports of shots fired.

56 comments:

  1. Seems like nothing is going on... at all really... maybe towards a different intersection?

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  2. I just came out of class (2:00p) at Truman and there were four police cars at the SE corner of Wilson and Broadway in front of the currency exchange. There was a police cameraman videotaping the corner and a young black male in handcuffs outside one of the police cars. Two officers were scouring the ground looking for something stating that "it fell somewhere around here" and there was a young black woman speaking with another officer. Many people were simply standing around watching the events unfold. I was unable to stay and ask questions.

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  3. Wow - Thanks for the real time updates. I rely heavily on this website for news from my community while I am at work.

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  4. Thanks so much for keeping us Uptowners up to date on all things in our area.

    One question I have: Where is Mary Ann Smith in all of this? I know that Shiller is the main Alderman of uptown, but she is not everyone's alderman, and this area could use some additional leadership.

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  5. A little bird told me that someone shot themselves in the foot at Broadway and Wilson. Was Plaixico Buress coming to a Bears tryout?

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  6. uptownism,

    No Alderman in Chicago is going to tell another alderman how to do their job, it just DOES NOT happen. So no matter what Mary and Gene and Tom may want to say, they'll keep their mouths shut. Thats how things go.

    So while its true that Mary Ann Smith is some of Uptown's Alderman, don't expect her to comment on activities that take place outside her ward.

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  7. Just out of curiosity... did they teach that diversion tactic at Uplift with the grafiti and obstruction lessons?

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  8. Does Ald. Shiller's web site have a comment on this shooting? It may be premature, but she must have some comment forthcoming. Any any good, informed alderman would enlighten the public. Her staff may have seen the event transpire outside their window. Perhaps Shiller is conferring with "community leaders" or "taking notes" regarding this matter.

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  9. Additionally, Mary Ann has been active in addressing some of the concerns of her constituents.

    During the last Town Hall meeting she sent a representative who discussed the actions Mary Ann is taking to address violence in her ward, and even gave a a website address (which, of course, escapes me - if anyone has it ...) that can be used to monitor certain aspects of her activities.

    So, if you are in the 48th, you certainly are getting more attention from your alderman than you do if you're in the 46th.


    But, WCE is dead on, she's not going to throw mud into another ward.

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  10. And this event was not just outside Maryanne's ward, it was just outside Helen's office door. Simply across the street. Yeah, almost literally outside her office door. Almost directly across the street from her office. She was not at the scene.

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  11. Thanks, Windycityeagle. I do think that she and the Mayor should be copied on any letters to Shiller, though, as they are all involved. I know from experience that copying the mayor on complaint letters yeilds some rather immediate results.

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  12. I was working at the Japanese garden at Sheridan and Lawrence today and actually heard the police drive by and tell the loiterers that they cannot hang out in front of S&L Pantry. They were told to pick up their trash and move on!!! First time I've heard Police scatter loiterers. Terrific!!!

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  13. I like the idea of the police including a "Pick up your trash" message in their instructions to "move along" (provided the trash belongs to the loiterers). Its just a reminder that we are all in this together.

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  14. Smith's website for connecting the neighborhood on issues is actionuptown.com

    There was a lot of activity all night on 5000 block of N kenmore. I was up all night because I tried to sleep with the windows open. At about 10 to 5AM, I heard 5 rapid gun shots, but couldn't determine where they came from.

    Something is going on this week and it isn't good.

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  15. Perhaps some good WILL come from all of this violence. I am proud of my neighbors (and my neighborhood!)who have taken ownership of our community and taken a stand. If violence is part of the "culture of uptown", then perhaps we can make rejection of violence a part of the "culture of uptowners", becuase clearly the people who live here and the place we live seem to have some sort of disconnect in the eyes of our leadership.

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  16. There sure where plenty of beat and private CPD cars blasting by. They when down Montrose from Clarendon and looks like they turned onto Winthrop. Thanks to that dam Wilson Yeard project it blocks my view from up here on the 25th. Everytime I look out I hate it more and more. I think I am by Stateway Gardens. What a sin Shiller has done........

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  17. Sheridan and Lakeside/Lawerence... ANOTHER freeking gang fight in the middle of the street! It was closed off and cop cars everywhere when I walked by an hour ago.


    The clerk at the store said there was a shooting there as well....

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  18. I think I can comment for Alderman Shiller:

    WHY are you concerned about this. WHY is the media concerned.

    The bastards are out to get me.

    It's all my political opponents.

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  19. What if we were to start posting signage in uptown calling out specific gangs, etc. with photos we take of gangbangers on the street? Is this to aggro? I know that gangbangers dont like it very much when I take photos of them with my mobile phone. I also dont really want to get shot in the process, but, dammit, I don't want uptown to be overrun with gangs!

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  20. I was at Lawrence & Sheridan at about 2:30pm where I saw about 8 squad cars lined about along the western side of Lawrence. The onlookers claimed that a gang fight had just occurred. I didn't see any suspects arrested.

    At what point will the level of violence justify a call for the resignation of Alderman Shiller and special elections?

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  21. Reality has a well known anti-Shiller bias.

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  22. Perhaps the gangbangers are against Helen too.

    After all it's her opponents behind all of this.

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  23. It's 4:35 right now. Nothing but sirens near Lawrence between Broadway and Sheridan.

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  24. shillsgang,

    I wouldn't expect Shiller to comment on every single incident of violence in the ward. That's a bit much to expect from anyone.

    Then again, I truly don't expect Shiller to comment on anything other than to dance around the truth when discussing her pretty, pretty TIF.

    So, meh.

    But, if there's as much activity today as is being reported, this would be a good time for her to follow up with details on what she's doing with the CPD and whatever she's gathering from CAPS notes if she's even remotely concerned with her image and/or her constituents.

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  25. Shiller loves this type of activity. She has one goal - to get reelected. Stories like this sadly only help her cause. She basically runs on the image/reality of Uptown being a dangerous place for fanilies, law abiding citizens, etc.

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  26. Uptown Revivalist, welcome! Please make sure all of your neighbors are aware of this site as well! We need ALL the help we can get here in Uptown!

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  27. Initial rumours of Alderman Shiller accidentally shooting herself in the foot in the 4500 block of North Clark and being transported to Weiss are not accurate.

    The unnamed victim was a man, not a woman.

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  28. I emailed Target this afternoon. They are now a citizen of our community, and have a vested interest in Uptown's success. I invited them to join the solution...

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  29. Yes but she sure hates the whole world to be hearing about it.

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  30. To amend my previous post (slightly):

    Initial rumours of Alderman Shiller accidentally shooting herself in the foot in the 4500 block of North Broadway and being transported to Weiss are not accurate.

    The unnamed victim was a man, not a woman.

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  31. As of 4pm only 1 shooting and 1 fight.

    The shooting looks like a gang-banger shot himself in the foot trying to while threatening another gang-banger in front of the currency exchange at Wilson and Broadway. Conservative Vice Lord (from east of B-Way) shot himself and a Black P-Stone (from Magnolia) the intended victim

    The fight was at Winthrop and Lawrence. I believe someone is in custody from that.

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  32. Thanks Uptown Superhero for the warm welcome. I'm glad to help.

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  33. As a former 23rd District officer, I must say the police do a remarkable job when assisted by the residents. It's a tough job without some help from the citizens.

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  34. Big City Copper - Thanks for the reminder!

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  35. Living4theNow,

    I live on 5000 N Kenmore too. It's been noisy the last two nights for sure. Several police cars congregating at the intersection on the north end of the block around 1 a.m. I assumed they were dispersing people but I didn't catch everything. Did not hear the shots this a.m., possibly b/c I'd closed the windows after being woken up so many times.

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  36. Nadmenny Millicent is 100% correct dumbass shot hinself in the foot.

    God I love Karma!

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  37. My stomach is rumbling and I am craving Taqueria Mr. Salsa...I'm just not sure that I want to walk anywhere with out a flak jacket. So do I stay inside or go get some delicious food...

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  38. Kenny Kball,
    The cops were called around 1am, by me, for people breaking glass and screaming at each other in front of my building. They were probably trying to find them or dispersing them.

    Then we had a series of 3 vehicles circling the block with their bass so loud, your heart rhythm changed. They circled for what seemed like hours, and then I finally woke up fully to the gun shots. They were close (I'm assuming at the Winthrop at Winona or Winona and Sheridan). That was at 4:50AM.. at that point, I was finally able to get some rest!

    It seems to be getting worse on Kenmore with the security at the CHA housing on Winthrop. Hope to see you at the neighborhood watch tonight!

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  39. FYI the victim/offender shot is a convicted felon who was arrested with a gun just a few weeks ago.

    What a great court system we have. This is why Court Advocates are so important. Maybe if more neighborhood people went to court, this thug would still be in jail.

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  40. I was on Lawrence near Sheridan/Kenmore today around 2:15pm. Marked and unmarked police cars (8-10) came flying from every which way, even backing up on Sheridan to turn around and head back to Lawrence/Kenmore. My view was partially blocked at a few points, but it looked as if the police cars were chasing a guy/guys who ran north across Lawrence just east of Kenmore. It appeared as though the police may have stopped the person/people they were after---north side of Lawrence, just east of Kenmore. Not sure if this was related to the gang fight, the Wilson/Broadway shooting, or neither, but it was scary, especially for 2:15pm.

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  41. "This is why Court Advocates are so important."

    Court Advocates? Is this guy pressing charges against himself too? Is a self inflicted gunshot wound not enough misery?

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  42. So the gangbanger shot himself in the foot. I wonder why he had his hand on his gun? Was he taking it out to shoot somebody?

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  43. Here's what happened...from a cop on scene. Akelo Washington, a convicted felon and self admitted Gangster Disciple, shot himself in the foot. A fellow gangster drove him to Wiess Hospital. The incident at 4740 N. Sheridan was just two bust out brothers, biologically speaking, fighting with other clients at job corp. No one shot or shots fired. All-in-all a busy day in Uptown.

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  44. Thanks Jim! Akelo's not on IDOC inmate search, so isnt on probation or anything. I'm sure he'll be back on the streets with his awesome aim tomorrow!

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  45. Meg, only inmates that r in custody or on parole are on IDOC's inmate search. Mr. Washington is a convicted felon for a robbery charge from several years ago.

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  46. Just for grits and shins,

    the IDOC used to have information for former inmates. Now, as was stated, it's strictly those in prison or on parole.

    Years ago I looked up a bunch of guys I went to grade school with. Three outta four had been convicted.

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  47. DAVE, I agree that Target is a member of the community now - So it would appear. I have sent UU pics of a gang tagging of thier logo on Montrose, but they will not post them. Target better get use to gang activity and tagging of their nice new locations. I am sure they will enjoy thier billion dollar Logo connected to the gangs of Uptown.

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  48. Wish, just as an FYI, press of any type just about NEVER shows gang sign tags.... if they did, the gang tagging would be even worse because they would be able to show their 'enemies' that they are big dogs and get free publicity..

    ..as they say, the only bad press is no press .. and believe it or not, that goes for gangs too..

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  49. UptownSuperHero - Thanks for the clarification - I agree with your comment. I was puzzled, but it makes sense to me...

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  50. While I understand the need to communicate with Target, a future member of the community, won't alerting it to the growing gang problem, in effect, scare them away? I realize they probably have a contract but if not, would scaring them off be a wise move? Or is that the plan? Just a little confused (and it wouldn't be the first time).

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  51. Nothing will change as long as Helen stays in office.So if UU posters believe JC is a viable alternative let's help get him elected and in the process do quite alot of positive loitering.Having been almost killed in Uptown I'd like to help make a positive contribution.

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  52. I think MOS that, if one accepts that Target is coming for more than a weekend, that Tatrget will have some influence with Holsten and the alderman. (Constituents obviously don't.)

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  53. No one is trying to scare Target off. Quite the opposite.

    Face it, that's a great location for Target and a boom for Uptown (low income housing aside). No one is making threats, but if then gang and political problems gets worse by 2010 at the time they open their doors, common sense says it will be as disasterous for their business as it is for the rest of the community.

    Even with subsidies, etc., Target is making a big investment in Uptown (like all the rest of the condo owners and renters who contribute their money and/or time and energy into making Uptown an exciting, dynamic, and SAFE community).

    I think if Target partner with the community (and not just city hall), they deserve to succeed. If they don't, well, then its up to the community to respond individually or collectively by not shopping there.

    Personally, I love the idea of running over to a safe, diverse, and interesting Target store right in Uptown. I also look forward to welcoming others from other areas of the city into our community.

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  54. Per Target:

    What kills me is that for a community where "gentrification" is a dirty word, and where Starbucks got picketed ..., where's the outcry against a monster corporate entity like Target?

    If they're coming, anyway - may as well give them the benefit of the doubt, but let 'em know there's a no level of tolerance left around here and they'd best be a good neighbor.

    And they may very well be.

    But, where're the voices raging against the machine?

    This is like red meat for them.

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  55. In a way, bringing Target back to Broadway is a "back to the future" move. Anyone here remember when Borders was Goldblatt's? Shopping at a Goldblatt's on Saturday afternoon was a long-standing tradition of my suburban blue-collar family. It was a habit of many city dwellers as well until the chain went bust some 20 years ago. So now the new-generation Uptowners will have the opportunity to shop for "affordable stuff" in a big-box setting on Broadway. What goes around comes around...

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