Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Question of the day
Next Post: Stuff that ain’t gonna happen
Posted in:
* This is just surreal…
Thirteen people were shot — including a 3-year-old boy — Thursday night at a South Side park when two gunmen opened fire on a group gathered at a basketball court in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
As bullets began to fly about 10:15 p.m., the group scattered, taking cover wherever they could at Cornell Square Park, police and witnesses said.
Julian Harris, 22, said his 3-year-old nephew, Deonta “Tay-man” Howard, was shot in the face.
Deonta was taken in critical condition to Mount Sinai Hospital, according to Fire Media Affairs.
Harris said dreadlocked gunmen in a gray sedan fired at him at the corner of Wood and 51st before turning north on Wood and shooting up the park. According to other witnesses, two gunman got out of the car and began shooting.
Police said the shooting was gang-related, but they could not describe how the shooting occurred.
* More…
Pastor Corey Brooks of the New Beginnings Church has been in close contact with Deonta’s family at Mt. Sinai Hospital and said the boy was in “serious but stable condition” Friday, describing Deonta’s operation as “plastic-surgery” type work.
Brooks said two other victims of last night’s shootings told him — contrary to early reports of two shooters — they saw only one shooter.
* ABC7 is reporting the police are questioning somebody and looking for more…
Sources say police are questioning a person of interest in the gang-related shooting.
Police sources say they are actively searching for more suspects in the shooting that occurred near Cornell Square Park, located at 51st and Wood in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, around 10 p.m. on Thursday.
* And then there’s this…
In addition to the 13 shot at Cornell Park, two men were killed and nine other people were injured in other gun violence throughout the city Thursday night.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:31 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Question of the day
Next Post: Stuff that ain’t gonna happen
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Best wishes for the 3 year old. He had no business being out that late and obviously had no choice in the matter.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:35 am
Hey Rham, how is that touted “decline in shootings” thing going?
Comment by Publius Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:39 am
@ronoglesby- why didn’t the three-year old have any business being out that late? That is for his parents to decide…
Comment by downstate commissioner Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:41 am
I have slowly become convinced that there is little policy that can be put in place that will change the situation on the south side. Prayer is in order for the South Side, perhaps that would be the most effective thing to do.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:47 am
@Downstate
at 10 or 11 pm at night, you are EXACTLY right. it is for the parents to decide and why I said it wasn’t this poor little boy’s choice. Instead his Parents CHOICE in a gang infested neighborhood, known for shootings (that escalate overnight) had their 3 year old outside.
Shouldn’t the kid be in bed? shouldn’t the 15 and 17 year olds in the list of those shot be home getting ready for bed for school!
Like I said, the poor 3 year old had no business being out in that neighborhood at night, and had no choice in the matter. He didnt make the decision to be out there. His parents poor decisions did.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:47 am
End. The. Drug. War. It is seriously that simple.
Comment by b Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:48 am
This nonsense is unacceptable and I’m pulling for a speedy recovery for the boy!
Comment by Levois Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:52 am
End the drug war and make sure everyone can read by the 5th grade. Also make the minimum wage something people can live on.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:54 am
First gut reaction: severe martial law for some gang-stricken neighborhoods, including confiscation of guns from those who would not qualify for FOID.
Return to sanity: agree with -b-, and RonO above
Comment by walkinfool Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:54 am
Legalize drugs and there is no money to be made on the street corners,. The result would be an enormous decline in the crome rate. There would be no incentive to control terrotories to protect sales, and no need to rob and pillage to get money to buy the stuff.
Comment by Publius Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:55 am
And aren’t most of the Chicago gangs involved in the (extremely lucrative) illegal drug trade. Somehow, this aspect is rarely discussed-in the media or by the politicians of either party.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:56 am
The boys uncle was shot and killed in the Woodlawn neighborhood over the Labor Day weekend. The FBI just called Chicago the murder capitol of the country. The gang violence appears to be spiralling out of control.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:56 am
That is obviously supposed to be “crime rate”
Comment by Publius Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:57 am
that poor 3 year old. how sad that people cannot be out at whatever time of day in a park without risk of injury and death.
god speed CPD.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:58 am
yup, much like alcohol prohibition fueled gangs w/ money so does the drug war. Its not to say they wont move on to other things, because lets face it, some people are crooks and do not conform to society. But it may deescalate what see going on now.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 9:58 am
One telling thing in the article that should be pointed out is the blaming of the police for not solving crime in the neighborhood:
—
At the scene of the shooting, a woman identified by family as the 3-year-old’s grandmother — who is the slain rapper’s mother — lashed out at police, yelling, “You . . . . cops can’t solve s—.”
—
One the one hand there is screaming at the police, at the other there is a huge code of silence/no snitching rule enforced. Which do want? the crime solved? or not to help the police?
Police come after the fact, they are not standing there to see for themselves. if you “didn’t see anything” how are they to solve the crime.
The people need to look to themselves and their own neighborhood first.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:01 am
===Shouldn’t the kid be in bed?===
Why? Maybe the kid was in bed earlier, woke up and couldn’t sleep.
Enough, already. The parents aren’t the shooters here. Move along.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:02 am
My understanding is that there is far less gang violence and shootings going on in NYC and other places. Have they legalized drugs in those cities? I hadn’t heard that news.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:02 am
The drug war has been an abject, 40+ year failure. When you declare war against a large segment of your populace, that portion of society will ignore the laws, make large amounts of cash providing the poisons that the citizens want, and will injury and kill to keep their share of the profits. We learned nothing as a society from the war on alcohol (aka Prohibition), and have been fighting this stupid war for far longer than it took reasonable people to decide eliminating the previous drug scourge (booze) was a mistake. Drugs violenc and gang shootings are not totally due to the drug trade, but if people can’t see that they are the main cause they are going thru life with blinders on…
Comment by Roadiepig Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:04 am
RO, the challenge is that many folks are terrified of the gangs and fear retribution if they inform. I can’t gauge their risk but don’t doubt that it is a factor.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:05 am
@DD
no doubt. Then we need new solutions because it is just a vicious cycle that they cannot get out of, and the city obviously cannot fix.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:08 am
Those of you advocating legalization of drugs, thinking that will help reduce crime are fooling yourself. Once legalized I suspect the states will tax the heck out of them thus driving up the cost to purchase legal drugs. Consequently the black market will flourish and there will still be street corner sales and turf wars.
Comment by Pacman Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:12 am
I’d like to hear from local, state, and federal law enforcement on their strategy for dealing with the illegal drug trade in residential areas, especially urban residential areas like the South and West sides of Chicago. And spare me the talk about codes of silence or blaming the consumers driving in from the suburbs. Consumers of illegal drugs will always be with us and if I lived there I’d probably be silent too, if the alternative was, I or a family member would be dead.
We need a strategy not just a series of drug busts which do nothing to solve the basic problem that the demand is so great that there will always be more product coming in from somewhere.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:17 am
Just makes me sick. There is a website called “Redeye” that is related to the Chicago Tribune. The site shows the hundreds of people, too many under 30 years old, killed this year. As if that is not bad enough, tragically, a number of children were only a few months old - never seeing a first birthday. After going though a few obits, my mind tends to go from disbelief to a numb stupor, as it is tough to fathom the numbers.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=0Ak3IIavLYTovdHYxbDItQ255eWh1NzBiQXp5cmxRdmc&output=html
Comment by anonymoose Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:20 am
“Prayer is in order for the South Side, perhaps that would be the most effective thing to do.”
Sure because a 2000 year old invisible man will solve all of our problems.
I can’t tell you how tired I am of hearing serious problems responded to with “pray.”
No, we need to do something real. We need jobs. We need drug counseling. We need to improve CPS. We need more POs on the street. We need to take action now, or in 30 years we will still be reading reports of kids killed for watching a basketball game.
I’m tired of hearing these fake solutions. People are dying. “Prayer” does not stop people from dying.
I’ve lived in this City for about 30 years.
I can’t tell you how tired I am of having government that fails to take the necessary steps to solve problems and I can’t tell you how tired I am of outsiders who offer ridiculous “solutions” that do nothing to address our core issues.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:20 am
@Pacman,
you can see some of that with moonshine, but for the most part it never happened with alcohol.
Comment by RonOglesby Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:20 am
Some people argue that government programs don’t help at-risk youth, but there is some evidence to the contrary. Here is a program that reportedly reduced arrests for violent crime by 51% among participants.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2013/august_2013/study_chicago_s_onesummerplusyouthemploymentprogramcutsviolentcr.html
Of course government can’t solve every problem and shouldn’t be expected to, but it can help.
I agree with the commenters on the failed drug war.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:21 am
- Consequently the black market will flourish -
Yeah, just like the dangerous and violent underworld of the alcohol and tobacco black market.
Who’s fooling themself?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:23 am
“Consequently the black market will flourish and there will still be street corner sales and turf wars. ”
Exactly what happened after the end of prohibition. Will we ever learn from our mistakes?
Comment by RetiredStateEmployee Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:24 am
===My understanding is that there is far less gang violence and shootings going on in NYC and other places.===
New York had a stop and frisk law for the past couple of years that was just struck down. Their rates dropped after that law was enacted. It will be interesting to see what happens to their murder rate now that the law can’t be used as it previously was.
Comment by Been There Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:27 am
It is what it is. Sad when it happens in Newtown, or DeKalb, or Aurora, CO, or Brookfield, WI.
But facts are facts.
Despite what the usual fact-free hysterics say, Chicago is not the murder capitol of the country, and gang violence used to be a lot worse. A lot worse.
http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2013/07/chicagocrime.html
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:27 am
Legalize Marijuana, NOW. Rham, the Rhaminator, Emanual has been an abject failure in dealing with this problem. New York City has 1/4 the murders.
Comment by Downstater Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:30 am
===Their rates dropped after that law was enacted. ===
Actualy, the rates were plummeting before the law was enacted.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:35 am
“Legalize drugs and there is no money to be made on the street corners,. The result would be an enormous decline in the crome rate. There would be no incentive to control terrotories to protect sales, and no need to rob and pillage to get money to buy the stuff.”
Yeah, but you still have the problem of large masses of unemployed young men without many of the skills need for whatever jobs might be out there. Legalization is only a half step.
Comment by vise77 Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:40 am
–New York City has 1/4 the murders.–
You’re just pulling that out of the air.
New York has about the same number of murders, but, obviously, has a much higher population, so a lower murder rate.
In our neck of the woods, St. Louis is the murder capital. It has a much higher rate than Chicago.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:40 am
Part of the situation in Chicago is that large gangs have splintered and there are competing factions trying to consolidate control. I suspect in New York, LA and other large cities, there is somewhat less violence because there isn’t a civil war underway for control of territory like we have in Chicago. Violence is bad for business, but it happens like this when an organization like the Ganster Disciples splits into multiple factions. You get shootings, revenge attacks, more shootings, etc. If we had one or two large gangs controlling Chicago, we’d see less violence.
And don’t kid yourselves, these warring factions are competing for the franchise rights to distribute drugs in various territories. Also, this gang violence extends into the prison system too.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:44 am
“The FBI just called Chicago the murder capitol of the country.”
No, DuPage Dan, the FBI most certainly did NOT call Chicago any such thing. Your deep and fact-based concern for those of us who actually live in the city is duly noted, though.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:44 am
Portugal reported success with its drug decriminalization experiment, particularly with addicts of “hard” drugs. One reason cited for the success was treatment, treating addicts as medical patients and not incarcerating them.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/07/05/ten-years-after-decriminalization-drug-abuse-down-by-half-in-portugal/
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:46 am
Why would anyone live in Chicago anymore?
If civic leaders care about the future viability of the City they would go all martial law on these terrorist gangs. There can be no good future for any place where innocent people are hunted down by teens.
Yes, we had a higher murder rate 40 years ago, but back then Chicago had more to attract and keep its population. It isn’t 1970 anymore.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:49 am
Speaking about laws and their effects on crime, what effect will the Illinois concealed carry law have on crimes like those that happened over night in Chicago? Will CC in Illinois increase the number of murders or decrease it on the streets of Chicago?
Comment by Hit or Miss Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:49 am
“Those of you advocating legalization of drugs, thinking that will help reduce crime are fooling yourself. Once legalized I suspect the states will tax the heck out of them thus driving up the cost to purchase legal drugs. Consequently the black market will flourish and there will still be street corner sales and turf wars.”
Yeah I can see that happening. If you want an example there are often people walking the streets selling “loose squares”. If you don’t know squares = cigarettes.
Comment by Levois Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:52 am
Your right VM. It’s horrible here. I can’t walk through Millenium Park on my way to my office without dropping for cover as the bullets fly. Let’s suspend the constitution and throw all of the gangbangers in Guantanamo to rot.
Yes, Chicago is a hell hole. Hopefully the last person to leave will turn off the lights.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:55 am
“Why would anyone want to live in Chicago anymore?”
The violence rate is a tiny part of living in Chicago. There is much good in this city.
“Yes we had a higher murder rate 40 years ago, but back then Chicago had more to attract and keep its population”
You’re kidding, right? Many neighborhoods have been gentrified recently and are now expensive, such as Bucktown, Wrigleyville, Wicker Park, Logan Square, etc. These neighborhoods have recently (over the last decade or so) attracted a lot of young professionals. Tourism set a record last year.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 10:57 am
No matter what time or place, any citizen has a right to be outside in a park. They have a right to be there and have an expectation of safety. Don’t blame the victims here. Legalizing drugs won’t put an end to gangs. The gangs will figure out how to obtain and sell those drugs cheaper than Walgreens.
Chicago has spent years banning guns. That doesn’t seem to be working very well. Concealed carry may not have stopped an ambush mass murder rampage. So what is next? Spend more money on well meaning groups like Cease Fire with little to show for it? Keep younger gang kids in school so they can prevent other students from learning?
Maybe sending in the National Guard in a show of force will quiet things down for a while. It may sound kind of drastic but necessary. They live in a violent world, a show of force may speak louder to them than any other programs out there right now. All other programs seemed to have failed over the years.
Just some thoughts.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:01 am
Excellent story on NPR a couple of days ago about how one cartel has monopolized the “supply side” of the Chicago drug market and how that has left local drug dealers fighting for turf.
http://www.npr.org/2013/09/17/223309103/probing-ties-between-mexican-drug-cartel-and-chicagos-violence
Comment by Out Here In The Middle Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:02 am
@Crazy bleeding heart.
I hate to tell you but the FBI actually did say just that.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/09/18/fbi-chicago-passes-new-york-as-murder-capital-of-u-s/
Read that yesterday I’m sorry and i do feel for you.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:02 am
MB, that was a headline, not the actual report. Rates are far higher elsewhere. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10320691/US-crime-murders-and-manslaughters-by-state.html?fb
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:05 am
“Why would anyone live in Chicago anymore?”
Because most neighborhoods are perfectly safe. Plus, we don’t have the same number of paranoid white males that you get in the suburbs.
As noted above, I’ve lived in Chicago for about 30 years. It is a great place to raise kids. By the time they were four, they had made more trips to the zoo than I had made before we had them. They know their way around the Museum of Science and Industry. When we go to the Field Museum, they march off to see their favorite dinosaur.
And despite my snide remark about the lack of angry white males, we believe that diversity is good. On a daily basis, they interact with countless people who do not look like them.
The question is not why would anybody live in Chicago. The question is how to get people to live in Chicago realize that there are other parts of the city that are very different and that need our help. That’s the challenge.
Comment by Skeeter Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:05 am
“End. The. Drug. War. It is seriously that simple.”
I don’t even know where to begin with this…
Post elsewhere dude..
Comment by L Y O Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:06 am
=== Yeah I can see that happening. If you want an example there are often people walking the streets selling “loose squares”. If you don’t know squares = cigarettes. ===
Loose squares, which are also often sold under the counter at some convenience stores, are hardly a major, widespread problem. It’s not like the loose square sellers are making tons of money and defending their turf by way of gang warfare.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:07 am
Agree with 47th.
It’s bizarre to imagine that people outside of the City believe we’re all sweeping up bodies out of the gutter every AM.
The bulk of the shootings are focused in a small number of neighborhoods. Most of the City is concerned about burglaries not shootings.
It’s disgusting that this is happening and Rahm doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously.
Comment by Belle Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:07 am
@Wordslinger
–New York has about the same number of murders, but, obviously, has a much higher population, so a lower murder rate.
In our neck of the woods, St. Louis is the murder capital. It has a much higher rate than Chicago.–
Careful there the same reason why NYC’s population lowers the total murder rate per capita in comparison to Chicago also does the same for STL v. Chicago.
Also STL is zoned by old ordinances to include primarily the blighted areas and exclude the affluent areas which are in the county. Picture Chicago with only the South Side.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:07 am
==Yes, we had a higher murder rate 40 years ago, but back then Chicago had more to attract and keep its population. It isn’t 1970 anymore. ==
LOL. never considered the attractiveness of a higher murder rate.
It isn’t 1970 in the city — it’s a lot better. You’d have to be blind not to see it. Just look at the residential growth in the greater Loop — it’s off the charts.
Increasingly, it’s the 20 and 30 somethings who are remaking the city. They really make the city cook in the arts, entertainment, restaurants and bars. It’s a much more vibrant and attractive city than it was in 1970.
And perhaps we should try a few democratic measures like hiring more cops before we declare martial law. Last I checked, Chicago is still in the United States.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130302/ISSUE01/303029987/the-hottest-urban-center-in-the-u-s-chicagos-mega-loop
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:10 am
Rich
I read the report it is sad. I agree the whole Murder Capital is a hook to get people to read the Story. However Chicago did take the dubious distinction of most homicides in the states. Which should make us all weep.
That being said i saw a report this morning that NYC is seeing increases in shootings after the end of “Stop and Frisk”. I still think “stop and Frisk” is unconstitutional but you can’t argue ti didn’t work.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:13 am
- Careful there the same reason why NYC’s population lowers the total murder rate per capita in comparison to Chicago also does the same for STL v. Chicago. -
What’s your point? STL still has more murders per capita.
That’s the whole point of per capita comparisons.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:14 am
Actually, there have been several studies that have shown violence actually hurts the lucrative drug trade by depressing prices and demand. The two are negatively correlated. Legalization isn’t the silver bullet people make it out to be.
I’m not claiming to have the answers, but it’s a lot more complex than simply legalizing drugs and banning guns.
Comment by ChrisB Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:14 am
–Careful there the same reason why NYC’s population lowers the total murder rate per capita in comparison to Chicago also does the same for STL v. Chicago.–
Huh?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:14 am
“The question is not why would anybody live in Chicago. The question is how to get people to live in Chicago realize that there are other parts of the city that are very different and that need our help. That’s the challenge.”
Indeed. Chicago is a huge vast city different neighborhoods with different types of people. Some areas are doing better than others. And the ones that aren’t doing so good they do need a lot of help.
Comment by Levois Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:16 am
===Also STL is zoned by old ordinances to include primarily the blighted areas and exclude the affluent areas which are in the county.===
That’s hilarious. You blame zoning? Really?
STL lost half its population after its schools were integrated.
It has a downtown that is hugely under-utilized, although starting to grow fast on the Washington Ave. corridor. There’s a fantastic restaurant boom all over the place. You no longer have to go to the Hill to get a decent meal.
But crime is a big problem there. And the criminals are pretty darned blatant about it. A few months ago, a couple of armed thugs robbed a group of women right by the ballpark. Got outta their car, pointed guns, ordered the women to drop their purses, collected the goods and sped away.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:17 am
Belle
The thing most people don’t seem to realize is the Sensationalism of the headlines paint pictures that don’t reflect reality. It really is a case of missing the Forest for the Trees.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:19 am
BTW, crazybleedingheart - I didn’t call Chicago that, the FBI did. I have great concern for Chicago, I live very close, work in the city (as does my wife) and I spend alot of time there. You do not know me so I wonder how you can be so sure about my level of concern for the city.
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:19 am
I do have to clarify that my comment about the FBI report was in error. All these headlines have Chicago being called the murder capitol but the articles do not support that. Wow, not even close.
Again, I do not call the city the murder capitol. Now, back to the issue about the dozens of shootings that have taken place and the apparent inability of the city gov’t to get a handle on it.
What is the next step for the city?
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:25 am
Rich
My point is that when you look at the greater Metro area in STL. The “STL” Crime stats come from the City alone and exclude the County. However it is one large urban area. I heard this morning on the radio there is talk of consolidating the two for the purpose of crime stats.
Here is an example the homicide rate per 100k in the County including STL is 7.5. If you isolate STL only it is 35.5 per 100k.
Perhaps Zoning was the wrong term i apologize.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:27 am
@VanillaMan,
Why would anyone live in DuPage County? Strip malls, high taxes and subdivisions for everyone!
Comment by From The 'Dale to HP Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:28 am
@Belle,
This might be a tipping point for Rahm imo. He’s off in DC doing whatever—oh wait not whatever, he’s saving hyperventilating airplane passengers—instead of governing. I know he’s gotten some media pressure, but Rahm really hasn’t as much heat as you’d expect considering what’s been going on during his tenure as mayor. The guy clearly wants to be a powerbroker in DC and I don’t know if he didn’t realize that he’d have to govern as mayor or that he couldn’t do both. But it’s clearly not working. He has no plan for anything. It’s governing by press release, reactive policy and flavor of the second ideas. I don’t see any sort of thought out plan or policy for anything. I’d love to see at least one half way critical editorial from the Trib or ST, but the Trib is too busy doing whatever is their doing and the ST continues to pull punches by going after city institutions instead of Rahm himself for the most part.
Comment by From The 'Dale to HP Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:37 am
Agree with Skeeter, et al:
I moved here 25 years ago from a smaller town (250,000) than here but a big city on the Great Plains by small state standards. Growing up, our car was stolen off the street at least once a year. I have never had my car stolen here (knock on wood). There, we had and they still have gang problems and meth houses galore. There are problems everywhere.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:39 am
I beleive the crime and gang problems will persist even if certain drugs are legalized and taxed. Why?
Comparing alcohol to legalized drugs is a false comparison. Alcohol is readily available with few barriers…an I.D. and money. Given the incredible size of the market and expansive distribution, market forces provide a wide variety of price points and availability. Legalized drugs will go up in price and have significant barriers to acquisition. Limited and heavily regulated distribution, limited legal quantities, and significant ‘hassle’ factors to navigate the process to be approved as a legal purchaser. Therefore, supply will not meet demand, and society will continue to see drug related black markets, gang activity, petty crimes for acquiring cash, etc.
Comment by enoughalready Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:39 am
–You no longer have to go to the Hill to get a decent meal. –
Now all I can think about is fried ravioli.
Love the Hill. I like Hannegan’s on LaClede’s Landing, too.
St. Louis has issues, but I always have a swell time there. Love the new ballpark, they really did it right. Forest Park is a national treasure.
City Museum is amazing. So creative and original.
What’s the name of the burger joint out by Clayton where they make the root beer in-house? Like that place, too.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:41 am
@Wordslinger
the name of the place is Fitz’s. Now i’m gonna blow my diet on stinking rootbeer.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:47 am
The one thing I’ve found peculiar about St. Louis over the years is the social acceptance of drinking and driving.
Year after year when I’ve gone to St. Louis, I’ve observed folks from all walks of life — men, women, all ages — walk out of the convenience store with a twelve pack, pop a top and drive off. No attempt to hide it.
Maybe it’s the legacy of Gussie and Harry.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:48 am
Fitz’s?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:51 am
“What is the next step for the city?”
I believe it’s also the next step for the state and country.
We can raise the minimum wage. We can decriminalize drugs or change our drug policies. We can free up resources used to incarcerate nonviolent drug offenders and use them to pursue violent offenders. We can put our heads together and come up with innovative ways to educate people. I read or heard that in Germany, some education has been tailored to specific jobs, two-year training programs to fill high-tech jobs that are going unfilled right now in America. There was also a report recently about the poor state of American bridges. We can invest in infrastructure and try to help poor people get jobs.
Again, Chicago reports success with a jobs program for at-risk youth, so it can be done.
I agree also that it’s the family’s responsibility to raise their children better. But when that doesn’t happen, unfortunately (or fortunately), the rest of us have to step in.
There is no utopian answer, but we can improve things.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:51 am
If it’s not the drug war, then some other form of revenue would be sought for the gangs.
These are people with no marketable skill. If they weren’t selling drugs and fighting over it, they would be chopping cars for parts. If not auto theft, it would be extortion for protection money from the few businesses in the area. Car Jacking. Crime is crime. Those that commit the crime aren’t in it because of the type of crime. It is because they feel that they have only this option.
Ending the war on drugs and the same actions will manifest in a different way.
Education and positive reinforcement at home, along with a restructing of the Education Industry. People that are 16 and can drive are dropping out to work. Maybe that should be embraced and the education system modified to get the math and reading requirements established by that age. Phys. Ed., History, Language, Science… etc… may not benefit a single mother with no amibitions for college. But a HS dipolma and an opportunity to start working might.
Comment by Pete Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:52 am
It is time to fill up a couple of federal prisons with the leaders of these gangs. Patrol the National Guard at night and and put a reasonable curfew in place. Doing nothing is no longer an option.
Comment by Nieva Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:53 am
@wordslinger
There was a lot of press on that when LaRussa had his DUI and one of the Card Pitchers died. I haven’t seen as much on the News lately so hopefully some progress has been made.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:55 am
The pitcher above died in a seperate DUI accident.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:56 am
Fitz’s, thanks, Mason. Fun place.
I don’t get down to St. Louis as much as I used to.
Maybe I’ll make a trip this year when the Hawks are in town to play the Blues.
Been meaning to get to the Lewis and Clark site. Always amazing to see the Missouri flow into the Mississippi.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 11:57 am
If we’re going to play “when crime was worst,” I have two words:
Cabrini Green
Comment by Realist Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:05 pm
===It is time to fill up a couple of federal prisons with the leaders of these gangs===
Ironically, that’s part of the problem. The leaders are mostly behind bars, leaving nobody in command to control the hotheaded nutballs.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:06 pm
Solving the problem is complex and not just a matter of legalizing drugs. (Fyi- I favor decriminalization in general)
On the infant development front, there is interesting information indicating that lead poisoning is a major factor in violent crime. The removal of lead from gas correlates to the drop in violent crime. But are we fully addressing other sources of lead poisoning?
A second major issue is providing jobs and ultimately a career path for young people. I don’t understand why we don’t start up a Civilian Conservation Corp, WPA type project to get at least some of the youth out of these war zones. A related issue is we have created a pariah class of ex-felons who have extremely limited opportunities (This does relate to the war on crime.)
I have questions on how we are policing the areas. The anti-snitch code is part of the problem. But so is the way police patrol and respond to areas. Why can’t a squad car park by the drug market and stop sales? When the dealers move, they move with them.
I can go with other comments, but the fundamental issue is this is a complex issue and needs to be addressed based on best practices and research.
Comment by Objective Dem Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:08 pm
Somehow, the cycle needs to be broken…wish I had the answer. The family dynamic needs to strengthen. When grandma who used to hold the family together is now a crack head, what hope do children have? The family unit needs to emphasize the importance of education. Education can go a long way in pulling people up.
Comment by Because I said so... Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:13 pm
@Wordslinger
If you feel like taking in some neat nature. The Pierre Marguette park does an owl tour around this time of year pretty neat.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:40 pm
I’m not sure the per capita murder numbers mean all that much. There just isn’t that much violent crime on the North Side of Chicago or the Mag Mile, and there are safe neighborhoods in NYC and St. Louis as well.
So when somebody tells me I live in the murder capital of the world, I say not really; I’m fortunate to live in a very safe neighborhood in Chicago.
Per neighborhood stats are much more meaningful, and much more sad for those living there. Specific locations in St. Louis, Chicago, and Rockford make the list of the most violent - imagine living somewhere with a 1-in-10 chance of being a victim of a violent crime.
http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/25-most-dangerous-neighborhoods/
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:44 pm
===Ironically, that’s part of the problem. The leaders are mostly behind bars, leaving nobody in command to control the hotheaded nutballs.===
Yes! And arresting street-level dealers and whoever seems like a hotheaded nutball just means somebody takes their place.
I wish the state would allow municipalities to experiment with legalization.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:47 pm
“These are people with no marketable skill.”
I wouldn’t go that far. Some gangbangers work. Some have entrepreneurial skills. Some have other talents. I don’t think we could lump all gangbangers together. Many of these people have abilities that can make something positive out of their lives.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:49 pm
Robert, that’s a great link. Thanks.
It really is a neighborhood thing.
For the first six months of this year, Chicago had the fewest murders since 1965. That’s cold comfort for those stuck in the combat zones.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 12:55 pm
People in the neighborhoods know the gangbangers. It’s time for them to break the code of silence.
Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 1:21 pm
===It’s time for them to break the code of silence.===
And then what? Go into Witness Protection?
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 1:24 pm
It is very sad to hear another senseless shooting.
The gangs are always at work. It’s too bad the innocent can’t rest, or enjoy an evening out to enjoy the weather at a local park, front yard, back yard, where-ever.
No one seems to know what the answer is to solve this, yet another mayor, yet another police superintendant. Still no way to solve this.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 1:36 pm
==People in the neighborhoods know the gangbangers. It’s time for them to break the code of silence==
Easier said than done. If I lived in a violent neighborhood, I’d be quite scared for the consequences to me and my family of breaking the code of silence.
Comment by Robert the Bruce Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 1:45 pm
I often find that the media will label gun violence in two ways : ‘gang related’ and every thing else. If its gang related, its never the guns fault. Navy Yard, blame the gun. Why?
Comment by Libertyvilles Finest Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:01 pm
Rich :Cornell Park is located in the New City area of Chicago. Back of the Yards is now mainly Hispanic and just to the North of New City.New City and Englewood are where most of the shootings happen. It still makes you wonder who runs Chicago the city or the gangs.
Comment by mokenavince Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:10 pm
===If its gang related, its never the guns fault===
C’mon. Pay attention. They always talk about guns after gang shootings. They did it again today.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:26 pm
@Rich
They do but it seems subtle. With the Navy Yard, it sparks this debate about mental health and the type of gun. Gangs seem to me to get let off the hook on the national debate. No one seems to want to dive in to the mental health of the Gangster Disciples. Why the different standard?
Comment by Libertyvilles Finest Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:38 pm
===They do but it seems subtle.===
Tribune headline: Cops: ‘Military-grade weapon’ used in shooting that injured 13
From the story: Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said a mass shooting at a South Side park shows why assault weapons should be banned, saying it was a “miracle” no one was killed when someone opened fire with a high-powered rifle at a pick-up basketball game. “A military-grade weapon on the streets of Chicago is simply unacceptable,” McCarthy told a news conference this morning, 12 hours after a 3-year-old boy and 12 other people were shot during at Cornell Square Park. All are expected to survive. “It’s a miracle there has been no fatality,” he said. “Illegal guns, illegal guns, illegal guns drive violence.”
Yeah. Really subtle.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:45 pm
Military grade ? I doubt it. Given no one has died, it was probably a .22, and you can bet the shooter didn’t have a FOID card.
Yet another stupid comment from Garry “Street-Light” McCarthy.
Comment by The AntiObama Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 3:56 pm
yeah, the cops (besides the cartels) are the biggest beneficiaries of the drug war. that’s why they always blame the guns, ’cause if they blamed the drugs, they wouldn’t get half the money appropriated to them that they do.
Comment by b Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 4:01 pm
@Rich
Why the difference in coverage and perception between the lone gunman and the ‘gang related’ shootings? Why does the CPD even feel the need to make that distinction?
Comment by Libertyvilles Finest Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 4:07 pm
@Anti
It wasn’t a .22 where a bullet hits you has more to do with fatalities than caliber. I would be amazed if the individual involved had ever heard of a foid card.
“Shell casings found around the blood-soaked basketball courts were 7.62 mm rounds, which are traditionally used in AK-47 assault rifles and rarely found in gang attacks on Chicago’s South Side. Though gun violence has long plagued the city’s impoverished neighborhoods, offenders almost never use military-style weapons.”
Comment by Mason born Friday, Sep 20, 13 @ 4:16 pm