Monday, April 11, 2011

Cornerstone Brawl On Clifton


Watch this brawl that spills out of the Cornerstone Shelter and on to Clifton on April 9 around 5:15pm. We wonder why the "security guard" does little to stop the fight? It is a long video but you can get a good idea of what takes place from watching the first couple minutes.

16 comments:

  1. I was driving down Wilson w/in moments after that and squads were everywhere -- 2 on Magnolia, 1 on Clifton, 1 in front of the 7-11 and 2 on Broadway & Wilson. They were seriously looking for specific people. At first I was a little thrown, wondering if I should be scared. Then I took in all of the police presence and felt safe.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been homeless and I can tell you most of the shelters I stayed at were absolutely corrupt, the staff were not trained as social workers, just bullies who got off on demeaning/belittling the "guests". As long as the "guest" was in favor, they could get away with bloody murder. Anybody who wasn't got their behavior micromanged to the point of insanity.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is anyone surprised what the warm weather brings? I saw a charming bunch of bangers at Sunnyside Mall yesterday...their pants were literally around their knees...if they hadn't been wearing underwear, they would have been mooning the whole street.

    Really, do security guards do anything except provide the illusion of force? Are they allowed to physically break up fights?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This just seems impossible to me after all Jon Trott and the Jesus People claim that this is "Hope Alley" not blood alley. The abundance of good will that they generate and the security guards that they volunteered to hire out of their paltry savings, after the first batch of security were arrested for dealing heroin to the residents of the shelter should make this event unable to happen.

    Seriously though, these places need to be licensed and regulated.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The security guard could have at least gone to a safe location and called the police instead of watching.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Seems like the exact reason the next alderman of the 46th ward wants shelters to provide a lot more accountability. Not to shut them down, as some have feared. But to provide safety for those that really want the short term help.

    But if this is the type of behavior that happens on a regular basis, why is it a good idea to keep it open? Are people who live in fear of violence, have to interact with unqualified staff, live with dangerous structural conditions or constant substance abusing peers, really going to be able to better their lives and a more structured living situation?

    Wanting to help the people who are less fortunate is a great thing. But you need to be part of a team with professionals who understand the population and can set appropriate limits with them. Asking someone to leave your treatment setting is sometimes the most therapeutic thing you can do. I think finding out who runs/works in a shelter and what credentials they have, is a necessary way to start the evaluation process.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Not to be trolling, but does anybody know where JC will have his new office?

    ReplyDelete
  8. I heard that James was strongly considering using his campaign office in the 4100 block of Broadway as his Ward office. I know he picked the location as it was in the middle of the ward, as many of our Lakeview neighbors felt neglected with the current ward office in the heart of Uptown.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cub Reporter. I really home James uses the campaign office. It's the more logical choice given the boundaries of the ward and is a nice looking office to boot.

    ReplyDelete
  10. "The security guard could have at least gone to a safe location and called the police instead of watching."

    It looks like the security guard did exactly what he was supposed to do. He removed the individuals from the property... once they are outside on a public street there is not much he can do. As soon as the fight started, he clearly called for the other security officer on his walkie, and police arrived later.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm quite sure that security guard is there to patrol the street, not the inside of the shelter. He & another guy stand outside all day long in vests with badges keeping the peace, or at least keeping the visible drinking & urination to a minimum.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nobody has really addressed the moral decay of our young men and the fact they think violence is the solution to everything. Every minute I was in homeless shelters I feared for my life and my sanity, everybody was so narrow-minded and focused on aggression, dominance and "street cred" nothing of intelligence or value ever really took place within those walls. I actually got made fun of for reading many times.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just witnessed several of the Sugar Magnolia tribe sell drugs with the security guards blessing on Clifton.

    Hope alley my ass unless you are hoping for some smack.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love uptown, and have lived here for 5 years in 2 different locations. But its this type of behavior and actions that have caused my wife and I to purchase a house in Lincoln Square rather than uptown. We found a place we loved on Racine, just north of Montrose and were very close to putting an offer on it. But the crime, and the lack of action has caused us to leave.

    I feel sorry for anyone that is attempting to sell their house anywhere near the heart of uptown. Best of luck with the new aldermen and I hope that someone finally does something to clean up the community because it has the potential to be such a great area.

    ReplyDelete
  15. On his pathetic blog - which he fired back up last month after a 1.5 year hiatus - Jon Trott did spin and damage control today concerning Cornerstone.

    ReplyDelete