Wednesday, June 22, 2011

On The Heels of "Operation Sugar Magnolia"...

... comes "Operation Uptown Girl."  18 people arrested and warrants on 11 more today in a four-month investigation into Uptown drug sales.  Read about it in Chicago Breaking News:
A 4-month investigation into drug sales on the North Side ended Wednesday with the arrests of 18 suspects, police said.  The investigation -- dubbed "Operation Uptown Girl" by police -- focused on drug sales at various locations in the Uptown neighborhood and was started because of resident complaints about street gangs in the area.
Another similar story is on NBC5.

27 comments:

  1. speaking of gangs about 3 weeks ago i called 311 about all the grafitti in the buena park area but its still there. ill keep calling.

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  2. Ha! Take that!

    Good on ya, CPD.

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  3. I sure hope it changes things alittle more then "Operation Sugar Magnolia" supposedly did.....I still see dope sold every single day over on Magnolia/Wilson/Malden/Sunnyside area. And half the Usual Suspects rounded up in that round of warrants seem to be around, not much has changed. And the stoppage of shootings over here probably has more to do with the fighting between V.L.'s and GD's more then anything. Though I greatly appreciate CPD's efforts nothings really changed over here. If you think otherwise maybe it's time to pull your head out and start paying attention again.

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  4. Well let's hope that the States Attorney Anita Alvarez has a rare moment and decides to prosecute to the full extent of the law.

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  5. Kudos to the neighbors and officers that made this happen.

    My only beef with this piece is the reference to "Operation "Sugar Magnolia," which closed down a gang drug enterprise"

    While they put a crimp in the Magnolia drug sales for a few months (Best few months we have had in years I will say), they did not "close it down." The folks on Maganolia and Racine regrouped and new P Stones filtered in and have now taken their place.

    I know, I know now comes the rants on the systemic problems and the plight of the folks in the low income housing. What I do know is that for a few months the area was safer for not only the property owners but also the renters and the folks on Government assistance. They had a choice for a few months to say NO and not put a roof over a ganbangers head. It's to bad there wasn't a stronger appetite and community involvement by the residents and the city to keep the P Stones out of the buildings. They had a legitimate chance.

    Now, feel free to carry on the endless debate of drug legalization, gun control, birth control, race relations, & class warfare...

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  6. "was started because of resident complaints about street gangs in the area"

    Nice, i'm sure they'll be back, but this is a net positive.

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  7. When you see the police watching drug transactions and doing nothing about it, these are the types of stories to remember. Well played CPD.

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  8. Good job CPD and thank you to everyone in uptown who is doing their part to take our neighborhood back from the gangs.

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  9. Operation Sugar Magnolia was cut short by several months because one of the undercover officers witnessed a murder by one of the suspects and had to break cover and end the operation.

    Nice to see the CPD got right back on the horse.

    Also nice that the suspects were arrested within 1000 feet of a school, which means they're eligible for longer sentences.

    PB is right: the community and the cops have done their part. Now it's time for the courts to do theirs.

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  10. Contact Alderman Capplemans office to be a COURT ADVOCATE..this is what regular citizens can do to help get this thugs put away...

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  11. I REALLY hope this takes some people off of our streets for a LONG time. I am sure the officers involved hate to see these guys back on the streets when they worked so hard to bust them. I have never been a court advocate, but (employer willing) I will be happy to throw my hat in the ring as a court advocate on this one, and I am going to try rally some neighbors to join me.

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  12. Want to catch drug dealers? Walk down Argyle. The once safer option than Lawrence is a hot bed for drug deals.

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  13. "Want to catch drug dealers? Walk down Argyle. The once safer option than Lawrence is a hot bed for drug deals."

    Argyle is going down hill fast, non-stop dealing, drinking and dice games. Every time I call the action has scattered and it's the same clowns out there everyday. I'd love to see a sting like this target this area because it's the same people all the time.

    Either way, i'll be using Berwyn after hours for the near future.

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  14. I am in the same boat as oldmanuptown. I would love to be a Court Advocate, but it's not easy to take time off of work, especially because I work in a small office. It will be a little easier for me if these cases are tried in the Loop.

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  15. I also agree that there are plenty of drug dealers on Argyle. You can clearly see them selling from many places day and night. The asians who live there seldom will call police for any reason so the CPD need to hit that area. Glad CPD did a great job to make Uptown safer and healther for all.

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  16. Why is everyone so sure that some of the bangers picked up weren't picked up for drug sales on Argyle? 29 warrants, two police districts, two wards. Officers conducted dozens of buys to get evidence. I am so happy about this. Even if it simply disrupts the gang's business, that's lost income, shaky hold on their turf, and clients who can't find their regular connections. So sad, too bad, take your dealing somewhere else.

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  17. CPD, thanks for keeping the pressure on. The majority of residents are completely behind you and your efforts. keep up the good work.

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  18. OH and by all means I hope I am not conveying a "Hopeless-Victim" attitude. I talked to several neighbors who see dealing and other illicit activity yet never call 911 because they think it's a waste of time. It is not!!! PLEASE call, 9/10 times it will be too late for PD to do anything and no immediate action will take place. YET, if we all call 911 consistently, write James and Cmdr. Boehmer @ the 23rd, maybe even Rahm. Resources will eventually come, more "Operations" will be made.....eventually not immediately things could REALLY change now that the witch is dead ! I also hope James helps hold our CHA neighbors more accountable on who is "stayin at" but not on their leases.

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  19. Operation "Uptown Girl"...ha. My old UU blog name put to good use.

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  20. Great job done by CPD....and within 1000 feet of a school - Fantastic! I am so pleased to know CPD is working so hard on this. I have been thrilled with just the extra patrols in the area. This should really quiet things down a bit.

    29 arrest warrants. That seems like quite a bit of gangbangers. I hope this is sending messages to gangs to stay out of uptown.

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  21. "It's to bad there wasn't a stronger appetite and community involvement by the residents and the city to keep the P Stones out of the buildings. They had a legitimate chance."

    So, Chip, as a resident on Magnolia drug corridor, how do you anticipate that I keep the P Stopnes out of buildings in the area?

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  22. Many of those names are very familiar to myself and my probation colleagues. Many are now in mid to late 20's and are still living in the same apartments that they lived in with their mothers when they were juveniles.

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  23. @Toniacita

    "Why is everyone so sure that some of the bangers picked up weren't picked up for drug sales on Argyle? 29 warrants, two police districts, two wards."

    The press release indicates this targeted the Sheridan area between Wilson and Lawrence. The usual suspects were dealing away on Argyle today. Hopefully it's next in line.

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  24. "So, Chip, as a resident on Magnolia drug corridor, how do you anticipate that I keep the P Stopnes out of buildings in the area?"

    Pretty simple, if one the the gangbangers is a family member do us all a favor and kick his ass to the curb. If your neighbor is harboring a gang member file a complaint with the CHA. You act like it's impossible.

    After numerous complaints on 4425 N Malden by myself and my neighbors armed security was placed at this residence. If the residence of these buildings CAN NOT and WILL NOT police themselves, then someone will step in a do it for them or they will be bounced.

    Try to be a leader TRISHERS. You will be amazed at who follows.

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  25. Chip - It might not be impossible but it's certainly not as easy as you make it out to be.

    Sure, some people might have enough knowledge to make some phone calls. However, I am guessing most of us on here are not family members of or harboring gangbangers. And we don't know where they live, as we aren't following them home when we spot them on the street. We are trying to avoid them.

    For those living with family members, why would the family kick them out. I would guess the gangbanger provides part of the household income - tax free income that the government agencies providing all the subsidies don't know about. Kicking them out isn't going to get them to stop dealing, it's only going to reduce the family income.

    It's a complex problem and while every little bit helps, I think most of us are at a loss as to what we can really do and are concerned about our safety. Hopefully, the new alderman is a better leader in this regard.

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