"Just when I thought things were getting much better, it was reported to me by a neighbor that both yesterday and today, about 5PM the gangs were at it again. They were in front of JJ Peppers, one or two of them were running around with knives chasing each other. The police were all over the place."
We know that progress rarely happens in a straight line, and that it usually takes the form of "two steps forward, one step back." We realize that the people who own JJ Peppers are just trying to make a living.
But the store and the lot in front of it have been a continuing source of trouble as long as we've lived in Uptown, and the other businesses in that strip mall suffer because of the problems that take place in front of JJP's. We're glad the police got there fast and in force, but we have to wonder what needs to happen so that someone steps forward to help clean up the ongoing, constant problems that the store and its parking lot cause this community?
Shady thugs are always hanging out at the grill in that mall too. Probably because they have access to quick costume changes at what is supposed to be a restaurant (This may no longer be the case but they used to sell t-shirts that are only in style for gang bangers).
ReplyDeleteI've also witness these kids harassing the nice people at the china cafe.
Anyways something needs to be done about this corner.... I would vote for removing the bus stop from that corner. It only encourages loitering.
Is this in Osterman's ward?
ReplyDeleteI don't blame Peppers for this, this is the responsibility of the police, they need to patrol and crack down on those hanging out looking for trouble in the public way. Could be a matter of circumstance in that if Peppers were located further north in the mall and some other business was along side Lawrence, it would be the other business with the bangers hanging out in front. Do we want to send the message to potential new Uptown business owners that if they open up a business in Uptown, they will be held responsible for confronting gang bangers that might congregate in the public way in front of their businesses? And really, if we want to blame a business owner, shouldn't the owner of the mall be the one to do something?
ReplyDeleteWe have that problem in Rogers Park with golden mini mart. I tried to buy the proprietor out of all the gangbanger t-shirts. He wouldnt let me. Obviously these shady places dont care how they get their money. Catering to a bad element is bad news.
ReplyDeleteSean its not up to the police to do this, thanks to super liberals, it has to be called in by others (loitering). I myself have often wondered why cant the police be more proactive? Its because of stupid laws.
How about the minimall not cater to them and tell them to leave? The businesses dont necessarily have to confront the bangers but they do have to call 911 and NOT give into intimidation. Time is running out for the bangers on the northside, it will. Just keep plugging away guys. I do agree Sean that the owner of the mall is the most to blame, though, its his property, something should be done to stop this.
jeffo, you talking about the super liberals that wrote the bill of rights or the ones on the Supreme Court? That made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteSean...Since when is a private parking lot "on the public way"? That is a private lot so yes the business owner or store clerk is responsible for calling 911 to have the gangbangers removed after the clerk or owner tells them to leave and they refuse. JJ Peppers won't sign complaints for trespassing because these gangbangers are their customers, and they choose money over public safety. The same goes for the store at Wilson and Magnolia. That store calls the police to have the gangbangers removed after the store sells them chips and pop. I have told the store clerk that you can't have it both ways. Either they are your customers or they are trespassing on private property but they can't be both.
ReplyDeleteYes, UptownSuperhero!, this is in Osterman's ward. At least for the moment.
ReplyDeleteI stopped using the laundromat there next to Peppers,because even though I was attentive 99 percent of the time, every time my best article of clothing disappeared from the dryer.
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately lived in a building with a lot of yahoos and they would often try to steal my clothes out of the wash and sell them back to me.
Good thing I moved.
businesses like this JJ Peppers depend on the local low lifes and drug addicts to make money, why on earth would they chase them away?
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I live a block away and go to this JJ Peppers quite regularly - mostly to buy beer or snacks. They often ask me if there is a beer that I would like that they don't have, and are very polite when shop there. I have never seen gang bangers inside. Conversely, I have never gone to the S&L Pantry due to the fact that it always has gang bangers inside or standing in front.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if bad things are happening inside or in front of this place, I hope it gets rectified quickly. This strip mall could be so much nicer than it is, but not if people are intimidated to shop there.
JJ Peppers is a chain operation (not sure if it's national or local) and I imagine that "Corporate" does not take kindly to the idea that any of their local franchises are being "kind" to the neighborhood bad guys. If we're having a problem getting a response from the local store owner maybe going "above his head" would work, as it did with the loitering problem at the Dearborn food store a while back.
ReplyDeleteI live a few blocks from JJP and have never seen "gangs" hanging out. I see people, some of them down and outers, coming in and out. It's up to the manager/owner to control who comes/goes into his establishment. He could easily put a sign up -- Only two people at a time in the store. Or, he could put a No Gangs sign in front of the store.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is housing. These gangsters live somewhere, with their mamas, sisters, brothers, somebody is housing them. Whenever they print the names of the gang members, they always live at XXX on Winthrop or XXX on Kenmore. So they live in these apartment buildings. Maybe a visit should be made to the LL to let them know who they are housing.
I tend to think the vast majority of Peppers customers are non-gangbangers. I also think that Pepper is not doing anything to cater to gang bangers - they sell the same stuff they sell in all Peppers, 7-11's, White Hens. I also don't think gang loitering or fighting is a chronic problem in front of Peppers.
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