tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post743627417234433568..comments2024-03-18T12:16:39.859-05:00Comments on Uptown Update: Gunfire At Wilson & Broadway, And Witness Is Told "Don't Talk To The Police"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-47996124734860211562009-11-03T16:11:45.893-06:002009-11-03T16:11:45.893-06:00What might help more than a sub-station is to have...What might help more than a sub-station is to have more retail, lighting and positive activity that everyone can enjoy.<br /><br />As for the aldermanic consideration, I'm honored, humbled and appreciative of the sentiment.<br /><br />And who knows? A lot can happen between now and next year.<br /><br />I'm not sayin', ... I'm just sayin'.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-56829055041411739682009-11-03T11:43:17.837-06:002009-11-03T11:43:17.837-06:00Yo,I couldn't agree more and I would love for ...Yo,I couldn't agree more and I would love for someone with those values that you have to run.I threw out the idea of a trade school rather than say a 'fish farm' because I believe it would have long term benefits to the community. A police sub-station by the 'L' would do much to ensure a pro-active presence. The ward needs an open-minded leader willing to listen to residents concerns.You strike me as that type of individual.whoskiddinwhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632939119389044761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-29840474138209247362009-11-03T09:38:13.864-06:002009-11-03T09:38:13.864-06:00By ideologue, I mean that I strongly believe in th...By ideologue, I mean that I strongly believe in the concepts of decency, respect, honor, discipline, and trust.<br /><br />Y'know ...? Those things which are the foundations of any decent community. <br /><br />Those things which seem to be consistently ignored around here.<br /><br />And I'm unbendingly adamant about the importance of those things.<br /><br />As for "Home Depot", replace that with "hardware store" and I think my point retains validity and is more amicable to your viewpoint.<br /><br />sockittome, baby.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-53151862553457982702009-11-02T22:06:13.737-06:002009-11-02T22:06:13.737-06:00I did my student teaching at Uplift and would seri...I did my student teaching at Uplift and would seriously beg to differ with the Ms. Uptown Writer. The violence, though more hidden, continues in the school the same as it is outside. Gangs don't unaffiliate for the daytime hours. UW - the violence lately is undeniable, you can't hide the bullets, get more involved and actually do something positive since you're obviously an Arai/Uplift success story.Weekendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17073311651684378011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-35250341333650431972009-11-02T20:46:35.033-06:002009-11-02T20:46:35.033-06:00Yo,before I got to the end of your post I had R-E-...Yo,before I got to the end of your post I had R-E-S-P-E-C-T in my brain,and I believe you mean idealist,not ideologue as they can be rigid and inflexible.As for Home Depot I refuse to shop there after they gave their ex-CEO 210 million and cut the employees salaries and benefits.That's not a morale boost for the rank and file.The man wound up CEO at Chrysler with his hand out and that ain't American ingenuity as I see it.Like the Desiderata(something to consider)whoskiddinwhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632939119389044761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-13180316886249023372009-11-02T19:14:44.514-06:002009-11-02T19:14:44.514-06:00who ...,
You're 100% right about needing a l...who ..., <br /><br />You're 100% right about needing a leader.<br /><br />You show me someone who understands that everything you need to know about being a successful, municipal level public <i>servant</i> can be pulled from an Aretha Franklin song, and I'll show you someone who can walk away with the election.<br /><br />You show me someone who can tell every group in this community that everyone's being greedy jerks, and we'd all better cool it before we <i>all</i> lose out, and I'll show you someone who will never need to spend a dime running for re-election.<br /><br />Show me someone with common sense and a desire to do good - rather than helplessly suckle at the teet of a system they know is corrupt, and I'll show you someone who's eventual passing will bring the entire ward to tears.<br /><br />Sure. I'm borderline ideologue; but, so what? Whatever the hell we have going for us, now, is going to drive us off a damned cliff.<br /><br />Most people would rather hedge their bets on Andy Griffith than Gordon Gecko, if given the opportunity.<br /><br />Someone needs to come by to give everyone that choice.<br /><br />People can want "hope" and "change" all they want; but what we really <i>need</i> is a little competency and honesty on the local level.<br /><br />You show me that person and I'll show you a true leader.<br /><br />That person could be me. It could also be you.<br /><br />Or any of us.<br /><br />If you can shop at home depot, you can be an alderman.<br /><br />The job ain't that tough, if you're true it. And to the people who you represent.<br /><br />S'all about respect.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-22521094821675506182009-11-02T15:13:27.083-06:002009-11-02T15:13:27.083-06:00Yo,I was teasing about the skeletons of course and...Yo,I was teasing about the skeletons of course and I'm certain more than one qualified candidate opted out because who wants to have every facet of their life examined by a hostile media.[Or be filmed walking into your home hours after a daylight shooting across from your office}Speaking for me,I believe you could garner quite a bit of support.We need new leadership in this city,amen.whoskiddinwhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632939119389044761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-53087454504427490402009-11-02T13:58:15.709-06:002009-11-02T13:58:15.709-06:00Interesting. Though, I think it might be a little...Interesting. Though, I think it might be a little late to get on the ballot.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-30999720572483534342009-11-01T21:10:51.721-06:002009-11-01T21:10:51.721-06:00Yo,you ever thought about running for the seat? I&...Yo,you ever thought about running for the seat? I've enjoyed these past months your input on Uptown and her issues. I don't know if it is viable or even an idea you've considered,yet I believe with your passion and intelligence you'd make a great candidate.I know those pesky skeletons in the closet.whoskiddinwhohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632939119389044761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-9819886581689267192009-11-01T15:56:35.424-06:002009-11-01T15:56:35.424-06:00Well, shucks .. UW, I had it all wrong.
You say t...Well, shucks .. UW, I had it all wrong.<br /><br />You say the displaced gangs from the ghettos are creating the violence (thank goodness we're putting more stacked housing into this ward so the displaced gangs might have somewhere to call home).<br /><br />Here, after being yelled at by long time residents of Uptown, I was under the impression that those dirty, rotten, gentrifying "yuppies" (with their taxable property and idiotic demands for safe neighborhoods) were the cause of all of the problems.<br /><br />I've been told a few times, from this diverse group, that I should just "get out".<br /><br />But, all along, it's been the gangs from the other failed housing models that are the real problem.<br /><br />Whudathunkit?<br /><br />Guess I should start to expect to see more of these long term residents, yourself included, soon get more active in the positive loitering ... which takes place right around the corner from Uplift, I might add.<br /><br />Can't wait.<br /><br />See ya' there!yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-55077593338889637352009-11-01T13:41:06.390-06:002009-11-01T13:41:06.390-06:00HM, even when Uplift was Arai (and true it did no...HM, even when Uplift was Arai (and true it did not have high schoolers), there was a high concentration of poverty. That area has NEVER been known for pulling in the middle-class, upper middle class and wealthier kids. Now as like then. I don't need to ask those parents what they're doing--they're sending their kids to the private catholic schools, Disney, other private non-denominational schools, Sullivan, Amundsen, Lane Tech, etc., because no one wants to send their kids to the "bad" school--I know this because when I was getting ready to go to 6th grade (then Arai) in that exact same building, exact same location, I was told I was going to get beat up by gangs EVERYDAY and it was going to horrible and dangerous. And guess what. It wasn't. Whatever you may have wanted to say about the environment outside of the school (and one could say a lot), inside the school was not chaotic, and we had good teachers and administrators--probably similar to what you see with Uplift today.I suppose the same kind of nervous whispering is at work regarding Uplift.<br /><br /><br /> I just don't feel it's quite as simple a line as you wish to draw betweeen "concentrated" poor people and increased shooting violence in Uptown. People have been poor here for decades before we saw this happening. And there have been gangs here before. And there have been tweenies and teens in gangs living in the community--but not this level of violence. <br /><br />I think it is more likely (and you and I may actually find some semblance of agreement here) that families have been displaced to communities all throughout Chicago (not just Uptown) because of tearing down of the ghetto and gentrification, looking for affordable places to live. And it's not the pre-existing poverty in Uptown that is the issue--it was the prior gang activity that some of these folks bring here, and elsewhere, and with it the conflicts and chaos we are witnessing. In other words--even if Uplift never existed and it was allowed to become an empty shell, I think we'd still be seeing this increase in violence--I could be wrong, but given that I'm hearing folks recount the same sort of experiences in other communities, I think it's a bit more complicated than what you suggest HM.Uptown Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05342477412967812775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-15539708529322325902009-11-01T01:40:26.660-06:002009-11-01T01:40:26.660-06:00UW, as the concentration of poverty has lowered in...UW, as the concentration of poverty has lowered in Uptown, so has crime. If you've been here a long time, you know that. <br /><br />Increased gang activity entered the equation mainly because of CPS transferring students across gang boundaries. It's exacerbated in Uptown because for the first time, we now have a public high school, Uplift, which has kids from rival gangs coming in and warring with one another. Take the steps to prevent the crossing of rival gang boundaries and violence will go down. However, any school with a high level of poverty can expect problems. CPS knows that and that's why they track the poverty rates in the schools.<br /><br />There's nothing wrong with being poor, but it doesn't work when it's concentrated. Never has, never will. Talk to middle income parents of high school kids in Uptown and ask them why they don't send their children to Uplift. Admittedly, it's hard to find these parents to ask. Ask around to find out why. <br /><br />Ask other parents outside of Uptown why they don't live in this relatively affordable neighborhood. They seem to choose Lakeview, North Center, Lincoln Square, and Edgewater. Ask yourself why. Ask these parents why. You might be surprised. I won't be. I've asked.holy moleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18006600794546900502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-23620054342684793272009-10-31T17:36:26.657-05:002009-10-31T17:36:26.657-05:00Except Uptown Lady, Uptown has had high concentrat...Except Uptown Lady, Uptown has had high concentrations of subsidized housing for decades, and has NOT had this level of violence until very recently. Do you see how there's something missing in your causation analysis? AS a resident here, it was absolutely not foreseeable that gangs would become super active in a community that had not experienced this sort of activity (even with subsidized housing) for DECADES. This is hitting a lot of communities suddenly since the gang culture has been dispersed throughout the city because everyone discovered how valuable that near north side land is.Uptown Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05342477412967812775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-48133474589532231732009-10-31T14:43:34.647-05:002009-10-31T14:43:34.647-05:00Yo:
At one time, I actually believed the Aldercre...Yo:<br /><br />At one time, I actually believed the Aldercreature would actually want to be involved in solving issues of crime and public safety, as well as the issues with streets and san.<br /><br />But after a few years of watching and observing the Aldercreature, I honestly believe her attitude is the shittier things are in the Uptown portions of the ward, the easier it will be to stop gentrification and keep her voter base voting for her.<br /><br />She placates the Lakeview portion of the ward with a promised "no" vote on a non-existent building safety ordinance, and she generally keeps the poor out of their neighborhood. She does her best to keep that portion of the ward issue-free and on the down-low. Hell, I'd bet more than half of 46th ward Lakeview voters think Tom Tunney's their Aldercreature, and that's just fine with Helen. <br /><br />Those Lakeview voters are one big key to her ability to stay in office.<br /><br />The other big key is to drive a huge wedge between the south Uptown and north Uptown voters. This keeps the north Uptown voters voting for her, and is generally just enough to eek out a win.<br /><br />The "do nothingness" is part of the wedge politics she plays. The "us vs them" gets them to come out and vote. The free pizza helps a lot, too.<br /><br />If Uptown had a new L station at Wilson, and the streets were brightly lit, and the violence stopped, Uptown might become a desirable place to live. But, in Helen's mind, that means displacement of her voters through gentrification and the end of her reign as Aldercreature.Uptown Refugeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10530561168892391436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-26466790108599669632009-10-31T09:30:31.542-05:002009-10-31T09:30:31.542-05:00I want to know realistically what is it that Shill...<i>I want to know realistically what is it that Shiller IS NOT doing that she COULD BE and SHOULD BE doing to have an impact on a phenemenon of violence that had been until recently</i><br /><br />She could, at the very least, publicly address the problem and start putting some of her aldermanic weight behind CAPS, positive loitering and the like.<br /><br />I've already addressed the counter to her argument re: negative feedback at her public appearances.<br /><br />Or, from another perspective - she could do ANYTHING, in contrast to the NOTHING that she is doing.<br /><br />She does not participate in the community and that does not help.<br /><br />Putting aside the housing and/or social issues,the perception she's allowed the ward to see is one of a do-nothing, go-nowhere, hide from everyone except your supporters political hack who is desperately clinging to power using a "divide and conquer" strategy which is obviously having a negative impact on her ward.<br /><br />That's not productive.<br /><br />She's got a large number of people who sacrifice their own time, money and effort to do what they can to make a difference.<br /><br />She could consider some sort of reciprocating action.<br /><br />Again - she, after much badgering, posted a rambling press release which was effectively little more than a shrug and a "what do you want me to do?"<br /><br />She cast herself as the victim while the body of Francis Oduro lies in rest and another person is paralyzed.<br /><br />That ain't gonna' cut it.<br /><br />She speaks of working with CPS. How? <br /><br />What projects/endeavors/ideas/concepts has she been sharing with the police that she cannot share with us?<br /><br />Here's my suggestion to what Shiller could do:<br /><br />1 - release a statement stating - "Hey, we could all do more. I recognize that I need to do more, but we simply have to put our political differences aside, come together and work towards peace"<br /><br />That would calm the waters, considerably - as well as quell some of the criticism.<br /><br />2 - She could attend CAPS meetings, and put effort towards being part of the solution.<br /><br />3 - She could publicly lean on the management of the troubled housing. Her rep stated that they have removed a few residents from one building. Great. Now, move on to the next one.<br /><br />4 - She could stand up for the CPD in Council. Two years w/o a contract is ridiculous. If she has any influence in city gov't, she should use it to do what she can to get the CPD fully staffed.<br /><br />5 - She could lean on Streets/San to get burnt out streetlights fixed on a more expedient basis.<br /><br />6 - She could go to schools and speak to children about the dangers of gang activity.<br /><br />7 - She could show up to positive loitering events (instead of sending her minions to walk by and see how things are going).<br /><br />... and that's just off the top of my head.<br /><br />All of those may seem like minor steps. Collectively, though - who knows? They may actually show some effectiveness.<br /><br /><br />Sure as hell would beat what she's doing now - which, again, is nothing.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-16450927543454639772009-10-31T09:02:19.390-05:002009-10-31T09:02:19.390-05:00Uptown writer – we have a match! We agree!
You s...Uptown writer – we have a match! We agree!<br /> <br />You said: <br /><i>Now that the projects were knocked down and the poor people dispersed, the gang issues have also been dispersed (so some theorize), so this gang-related violence is happening in places where once it was not thought to really occur.</i><br /><br />This is exactly what we’ve been saying. The only point where we differ is that you say “violence is happening in places where once it was not thought to really occur.” I would change that sentence to read “violence is happening in <b>predictable patterns</b> across the city where there is a high concentration of subsidized low income housing.”<br /><br /><b>You see this was all predictable.</b> Uptown ranks in the top 10 (out of 50communities in Chicago) as far as neighborhoods with the highest numbers of subsidized low-income housing. The other 10 are also experiencing serious violence issues. Experts understand this. HUD understood this when they made a policy not to fund developments in communities with concentrations over 20%.<br /><br />Yet Shiller ignores experts and urban planners and continues to stack the deck against the safety and welfare of this entire community.uptown ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07292960102966569584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-27402782669838886002009-10-31T00:20:48.032-05:002009-10-31T00:20:48.032-05:00Please remember these incidents when it's time...Please remember these incidents when it's time for beat 2313 CAPS meeting on Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m at the Clarendon Park Field House.<br /><br />We really need more people at this beat meeting as for the last few meetings there have been more police attending than residents.Light Rail Coyotehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04475788348073835893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-24177300355662490062009-10-30T23:21:56.179-05:002009-10-30T23:21:56.179-05:00There seems to be some ongoing gang war over turf ...There seems to be some ongoing gang war over turf occurring in our beloved ward.<br /><br />Gang violence is not new to this ward. <br /><br />It's been going on sporadically for years.<br /><br />The shootings on main streets in daylight is a relatively uncommon phenomena until recently.<br /><br />One gang in an area is bad. Two is exponentially worse because then the idiots start fighting and shooting at one another.<br /><br />This retaliation crap keeps going and going and going.<br /><br />Think of it as if the Energizer Bunny was drunk and had a gun and was sworn enemies with Bugs Bunny. Bugs of course is the leader of the Insane Kangaroo Wombat Killa Unknowns.<br /><br />Who Elmer Fudd represents will come later after I drink some more.<br /><br />Oh cow crap. Elmer is Mayor Daley.IrishPiratehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11339255909419333238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-3430969628084807812009-10-30T19:41:46.043-05:002009-10-30T19:41:46.043-05:00Protests are well and good--but where does Uptown ...Protests are well and good--but where does Uptown and the spates of violence we've been seeing over the last few years fit in to the big picture of what is happening all over this city? Meaning, there was a time I recall that for all of Uptown's issues, fear of getting shot was not one of them (and that was while Shiller was Alderman as well). People whisper that what we in Uptown--and other communities throughout this city--are experiencing is the aftermath of the destruction of the projects, where gang culture was able to grow and implant itself in epidemic proportions after its predominantly poor and Black residents were isolated and segregated from the rest of the city and these places became marked as "no man's lands."<br /><br />What some of us here on the farther north side don't want to admit is that we were somewhat insulated from this sort of violence for a very long time. I have walked about in the very areas where these shootings took place, and never worried about the kinds of violence we have been seeing as of late. Yes, Uptown was gritty and had subsidized housing, etc., but it did NOT on a regular basis have street fights and shootings--those sorts of things pretty much happened "over there."<br /><br /> Now that the projects were knocked down and the poor people dispersed, the gang issues have also been dispersed (so some theorize), so this gang-related violence is happening in places where once it was not thought to really occur. These gangs or cliques or whatever are jockeying for position, having incomprehensible turf wars, having a general breakdown in structure, leading to those open displays of violence in Uptown and other communities in Chicago. <br /><br />I want to know realistically what is it that Shiller IS NOT doing that she COULD BE and SHOULD BE doing to have an impact on a phenemenon of violence that had been until recently,relatively foreign to this community, and may well be a ripple effect of other larger policies at work in the city. And for the record, I see more police around (saw more around after the big meeting the prior summer at Truman, just before the shooting on Sheridan), but that does not seem to be doing it.Uptown Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05342477412967812775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-47915601851771996412009-10-30T17:56:44.240-05:002009-10-30T17:56:44.240-05:00I am as frustrated with Ald. Shiller’s lack of res...I am as frustrated with Ald. Shiller’s lack of response as many of you. I am no stranger to conflict, but I can say without doubt that I have never regretted the times I’ve remained respectful of others, including those times when it wasn’t always reciprocated. <br /><br />I’ve heard it said on blogs and I’ve been told personally that it is believed I support behavior that is disrespectful of Ald. Shiller. I want to make it clear that I don’t for a couple of reasons: one, through all the years I’ve been on this earth I have always regretted it later when I have behaved rudely, and two, it usually ends up backfiring. Being respectful, however, does not preclude me from being truthful. <br /><br />I will be at this event tomorrow because I typically did this type of thing before I ran for office, but I will maintain a respectful presence. I encourage others to do the same. We can do that and still seek real change in this ward.James Capplemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14344512821272018828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-65788464807831058992009-10-30T17:28:13.627-05:002009-10-30T17:28:13.627-05:00wear blue ribbons, that's fine. I've begun...wear blue ribbons, that's fine. I've begun calling my neighbors to show up tomorrow morning for our silent protest. Let's bring signs and a big crowd! 9:30 am Clarendon Park spread the word!UptownActionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13766597956762604439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-22281432455457736522009-10-30T17:14:19.509-05:002009-10-30T17:14:19.509-05:00Thanks gayle. I tend to lose track of all the col...Thanks gayle. I tend to lose track of all the color symbolism.<br /><br />Blue is fine by me.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-43408263759655691422009-10-30T16:52:02.639-05:002009-10-30T16:52:02.639-05:00Helen can't get involved in cleaning up the ga...Helen can't get involved in cleaning up the gang problems -- that would be admitting that there is a problem and that she's a big part of why we have them. Warehousing people without jobs, good schools and a future is what causes this violence. That and turning a blind eye to the "fisticufs" and street fighting that only help to raise tensions among the punks and gangs already inhabiting Uptown.cliftonianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04770222586273567427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-35798709372226884492009-10-30T16:22:21.256-05:002009-10-30T16:22:21.256-05:00The red ribbon has already been claimed as an AIDS...The red ribbon has already been claimed as an AIDS symbol. I believe that the color for death by violence is blue. There's a church downtown that covers a tree in its courtyard with blue ribbons to symbolize this.gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15215087286122238853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1957537260422450632.post-79776046541057064682009-10-30T16:10:30.819-05:002009-10-30T16:10:30.819-05:00An additional idea:
Run to the store and purchase...An additional idea:<br /><br />Run to the store and purchase a few rolls of red ribbon.<br /><br />Personally, I really like the phrase "... Well?" - cut up 8-12" sections of ribbons and write that on them with a marker.<br /><br />Then go to anywhere an act of violence has occurred and tie those ribbons on sign posts, mailboxes, trees, ... really, any inanimate object.<br /><br />Then, start putting red ribbons everywhere you can within the 46th ward.<br /><br />If they are taken down, replace them.<br /><br />Continue to do this until the violence goes down.<br /><br /><br />Adding to that, wear the arm band during positive loitering events; and to Clarendon tomorrow, if you so happen to be inclined.<br /><br /><br />Again - just an idea.yohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07400816063541009591noreply@blogger.com