A reader sends in this account of their run-in with several of Uptown's spelling-challenged vandals in the 4600 block of Magnolia:The Clam Chouder (sp) gang struck a dumpster in my alley just moments ago. There were 3 16-17 year old black males. One guy was doing the door, one guy was doing the dumpster, and the third guy was the lookout. When they noticed that someone was watching, they said "Oh Sh*t!" and ran southbound towards Wilson. I think you reported the same graffiti a few months ago. We called 311 to report, but they refused to do anything about it since the owner of the building hasn't complained."
Ok, consider this a teaching moment. Thanks for shedding some light on who is doing this graffiti. You should have called 911. A call to 911 will generate a report that will go to the police.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this such a hard concept to get across to people? I don't mean to sound harsh, you were an alert neighbor that was trying to do the right thing but missed an opportunity to snag these guys.
Now is the time to call 311 to have the graffiti removed. Although it is not your building, you can have the tags removed. Hope this helps.
they must frequent the area cause they also got the 4700 block of Clark between Marys Unisex salon and the Mexican restaurant on the corner!
ReplyDeleteNeighbors - Call 911 when you see these punks.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear your building was vandalized, but hopefully you get it removed quickly.
Goes to show that just like the 911 operators people at 311 often have a different "understanding" of how things are supposed to work. I have called on graffiti dozens of times, and it has never been about my own property, thank goodness. But who owns the property has never even been a question that has come up. I would just call again and make the request with someone else.
ReplyDeleteThese taggings are everywhere I look now. These vandals need to be caught.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what's worse. Is it the graffiti or the fact that the dumb @#$%s can't (or won't) spell chowder correctly?
ReplyDeleteWHENEVER you need an immediate response from the Police, you call 911. Always. As the first poster said, 311 for the cleanup, 911 for apprehending the scum that committed this criminal act.
ReplyDeleteGet a can of spray paint...cover it up yourself. Cover it up as fast as they put it up.
ReplyDeleteI think they use chalk to write and that can be wiped off.
ReplyDeleteWhile you're calling 311, there is gang graffiti (BAD gang graffiti, like dissing a gang with a large Uptown presence) on the Southwest corner of Lakeside and Clarendon
ReplyDeleteThe Apple Dumpling Gang is tougher than these Clam Chouder Boys.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments on what we should or shouldn't have done when we caught this tagging in progress. We have never had an occasion to report graffiti, so we took the 311 operator's "info" to be accurate. We really weren't sure that it was appropriate to burden 911 with a chalk graffiti report, or that it would be given any attention in light of the more urgent emergencies out there. If it is appropriate to contact 911 for a tagging in progress, we'll most certainly do so in the future.
ReplyDeleteWait. Is it chalk? If it is chalk, get a hose, douse it, and be done. If it is permanent, call a cop.
ReplyDeleteI'm not positive chalk would even be illegal.
What's next, busting little girls for using sidewalk chalk?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/sonicrush1206/
ReplyDeleteOh, but I thought it was "racist" to include a person's race when describing the perpetrators.
ReplyDeleteI've been noticing the word "CHUNK" sprayed in various places, including Broadway near the methadone clinic and on the fence on the east side of Graceland (visible from the El). Maybe these are just "Goonies" fans...
Chunk in prolific in Lakeview as well. And yeah, he's a bit enthusiastic about his name. I can see it out my window right now, latest decoration to the mailbox on the corner. Until recently I could also see it from my window on the side of Dearborn Wholesale. The buffers got that one though, so now there's one section of wall painted a different shade of brown from the rest. I don't know why those guys can't at least make things match. Otherwise, it's not really much of an improvement. It would definitely be too much to ask that they start using something more cheerful. I think they should go with magenta next time.
ReplyDeleteOne of these demons might live in my building. I have seen the clam chowder written on things inside of our locked back gate. There is a family on the first floor that has a son that fits the description as well. If I find out that their son is one of the perps, I'll be having CPD knocking on his door.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's chalk, and a good rain should clear it up; but, I see chalk lines all over Clarendon (Walgreens and the bldg across the street, specifically).
ReplyDeleteI don't find it damaging to any propery; but, I do find it extremely annoying and childish.
Based on the high level of intellect demonstrated on his myspace page, I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Regardless, his parents and Senn have done a heckuva job with this kid.
*sigh*
If I see this type of activity in progress, I am not going to try to figure out if the vandals are using chalk or paint, esp. if it is on my property and I don't know them...
ReplyDeleteAlas, chalk is easily cleaned up with a little warm water, but I say catch the little punks and make them clean it up.
Again I point to broken window theory. It's time to sweat the small stuff in Uptown.
@stash, look, if it were on your property I (unlike some here, I am sure) would say you can do more or less whatever you want to them.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, the reactions here are a little hysterical.
Shouldn't they be called "Chowderheads?"
ReplyDeleteI think some people are missing the point here. What is NOT important is the method or materials (paint vs markers vs chalk) used for tagging. Nor is it important when and where the tagging is happening. What is important, however, is that with the increase of drug activity and violence in the neighborhood we as citizens should have ZERO tolerance for behaviors that are related or promote those issues. We are ultimately responsible for our community and should we turn a blind eye, make excuses, or harbor a defeatist attitude then we are doing a great disservice for ourselves and our neighbors. If we see something suspicious and it’s not an emergency at the very least call 311 (not sure 911 should be used for reporting tagging) and give a description of the person, time/date, and location of the incident. I do believe that should we see something more dangerous or needs immediate attention then by all means dial 911. After that has been accomplished by all means write to UU and give a detailed description of the incident so that other members of the community can keep an eye open too.
ReplyDeleteYet another 'Clam' strike on a garage door.....(our second).
ReplyDeleteIt is such a stupid, 'romper room' type thing to do.
I've called 311, and am convinced this person has the IQ of a pumpkin.
Is it safe to assume this kid, who clearly is a Gangster Disciple ( http://www.myspace.com/sonicrush1206/ ) is also the one writing other gibberish on our buildings and cars? If so, he wrote "i was born in america" on my car with a sharpie. He's not some innocent kid, if I catch him he'll learn that.
ReplyDelete