Saturday, July 31, 2010

Yet More Gunfire In Our Streets...

Ever since the murder and attempted murder on Wednesday, the locals have been desperate for retaliation.  Pockets of violence have been bubbling up all over Uptown, and the police have been right there to quash them, with surrounding police districts sending in cars to help keep the peace.

Tonight there was yet another shooting, and a car was shot up with people inside of it:
  • "Just heard shots, near Sunnyside and Hazel. Two shots, a pause then five shots. Saw a dark colored, late 90's Honda race off after the first two. A white, late 90's Ford Explorer after the five shots. Both vehicles headed away on Sunnyside at a rapid pace."
  • "Just heard a hell of a lot of shooting on Sunnyside and Hazel -- a short burst of 3-4 shots, a pause, and then 6 or 7 shots (and I swear I heard a ricochet, so it was pretty close to my building). 911 took a long time to answer, so I'm guessing they got a lot of calls. Only a few sirens so far; here's hoping no one was hurt."
  • "Around 10:15 I was in my back yard enjoying some pizza and cocktails with a few friends when we heard at least 10 gun shots from a couple of different weapons in the vicinity of Sunnyside and Hazel. We called 911 and saw police casing the parking lot behind our building. An officer reported that a revolver and an automatic weapon were involved, and that a woman's car was struck with bullets during the shooting. No information if anyone was shot."
  • "There was a shooting on the 800 block of Sunnyside tonight. A total of around 8 shots were fired at a white Ford Explorer by a tall, thin black male with short dreads.  That's what the report on the scanner was. And I heard the shots."
  • "There were shots fired at around 840 w Sunnyside, whatever that high rise is right there. This was just a couple buildings west from us. I heard 2 shots, followed by 6 or possibly 7. Apparently a car was shot up pretty badly but the people inside were ok. I ran from my living room calling 911. While I was waiting for them to answer I went back to the front of our place to get my daughter and that's when the second shots happened."
We have nothing to add.  How many times can we say we're sick of this and it has to end?  How many more families have to see a streetside memorial set up for their son?  How many more good people will leave a neighborhood they love because they fear for their lives?  If you have any further information, please post it in the comments.  We're having a good stiff drink and going to bed.

8 comments:

  1. Sorry folks but it is only going to get worse. With the large gathering of P Stones on Magnolia it would be a prime opportunity for The Vice Lords to do another drive by to take out as many P Stones as possible.
    The P Stones will not let Carters death go in vain as well. Be careful on Magnolia and the area around Clarendon Park (Clarendon to Broadway, Agatite to Wilson) as I expect there will be more violence!

    ReplyDelete
  2. the north side is the new south side. know your gangs.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/chicagocoldwar/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Evanston Alderman talks about a particular now deceased criminal.

    Whooda thunkit?

    Nice job Alderman Rainey.

    "Rainey had observed, "This individual has terrorized the south end of town since he was a kid. Now he appears to be on the road to, one day, getting away with murder."

    ReplyDelete
  4. Trust me, there is going to be another murder, soon. There is no reasoning with homicidal sociopaths. Violence and destruction are like oxygen and water to these people. I suggest the citizens of Uptown be extra careful this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  5. IrishPirate -

    VERY INTERESTING post. I grew up on the same block as Ann Rainey (aka to some in the community as "Stormy"). She was our Alderman growing up.

    I presume the unflattering nickname might have come from her willingness to compromise and consdider the needs and desires of all members of her ward (which, like Uptown, is pretty diverse on several dimensions). She pissed a lot of "evil condo owners" off, but it is likely her track record of being fair, responsive, and willing to go on record at city hall AND to the community that kept getting her reelected.

    At times I have compared Alderman Rainey to a certain long-time Chicago Alderwoman, but thank you for revealing a key difference. Love her or hate her, Rainey has been fairly consistent in answering to the community and has been willing to articulate her views (sometimes unpopular).

    Words I never thought I would say... Nice Job Rainey for calling it like it is and giving something for ALL members of your community to think about.

    Chicago Alderman - FAIL.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Speaking of "streetside memorials," I couldn't help feel both repulsed and amused by the presence of several high-end liquor bottles (Hennessey, Moet) nestled next to the balloons and teddy bears at the Carter memorial on Magnolia.

    I haven't seen any thugs hanging out next to the minimart in the last few days, but I did see at least five or six right in front of the minimart just taking up space. I feel sorry for whomever works there and has to put up with their presence.

    ReplyDelete
  7. In talking with a cop last night, they know who the shooter was and, surprisingly to them, the guy is not with the Vice Lords. He said he was from somewhere near Belize and they think he skipped the country. He said there was a nationwide manhunt for the guy...

    Regardless, it's a dangerous time in Uptown.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Please be sure to attend the CAPS meeting on Aug 11 at 7 p.m at Clarendon Park. Please show your support. Lately there have been more police officers than area residents.

    ReplyDelete