Uptown Erupts in Gang Violence

November 24, 2006
Neighbors in the Wilson-Broadway neighborhood were alarmed to hear gunfire on a busy Friday afternoon. Police report that three individuals were fighting in front of the TCF Bank at 1050 W. Wilson at 4:30 P.M. when two gunshots were fired. A victim was struck in the shoulder and survived.
Jeremy Stephens of the 4500 block of Clarendon was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a handgun.

December 7, 2006
Homicide at 11:45 pm in the 900 block of West Leland. Police report that the victim, an 18 year old male, was shot multiple times in the chest, after leaving a party at 920 W. Leland. Paul Crume, of the 4500 block of Clarendon, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Crume has also been identified as a member of the Vice Lords gang.
The 23rd Police District scheduled an outdoor roll call on Leland a few days after this homicide, attended by over 25 concerned neighbors.
These roll calls send an important message to the community. Please participate if you are able.

December 15, 2006
Gunfire erupts at Lawrence and Sheridan. Neighbors report the sound of gunfire coming from the vicinity of the JJ Peppers parking lot at Lawrence and Sheridan at 10:30 P.M. Police responded and arrested a suspect. The suspect has been charged with a Weapons Violation. While grateful that no one was injured, neighbors in the vicinity were once again concerned to hear the sound of gunfire.

December 29, 2006
Police roll call at Cafe Too! located at 4715 N. Sheridan. In response to increased gang and narcotics activity at their new location, Inspiration Cafe organized an outdoor police roll call in front of their restaurant. Over twenty neighbors came out on a cold night to demonstrate their support for Cafe Too! and their efforts to rid their building of narcotics trafficking.

Don't Kill a Dream, Save a Life Uptown Baptist Church, 1011 W. Wilson, was once again, the CAPS designated collection site in Uptown where guns could be turned in anonymously, on Saturday, December 16. A prepaid debit card was given in exchange for each gun.

A record 119 weapons were turned in that day, exceeding the amount gathered last April. An assault weapon, similar to an AK47, were among those turned in.

COURT ADVOCACY DATES: Community residents are requested to attend court cases as Court Advocates. Requests have been made to attend the following cases:
Benjamin Johnson March 12, 2007, Court Rm 308 at the Court House at 26th and California. Johnson has been charged with Criminal Sexual Assault for an attack that occurred on the 4100 block of N. Sheridan several months ago. He has also been linked to an attack on the 600 block of W. Addison.
Please call the 23rd District Community Policing Office at 312- 744-0064 for more information.

THE DOVER STREET LANDMARK designation process is going forward. On January 4th it was approved when it went before the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. It was introduced at the November meeting, but Alderman Shiller requested a delay until January 4, to resolve two upzoning requests.

This landmark designation will be for the 4500, 4600, and 4700 blocks of North Dover Street, and the four houses at 4740-4754 North Beacon Street. A historic 70% of the owners on these blocks signed petitions to have the area designated a Chicago Landmark District.

This area is already part of the Sheridan Park National Register District, but that designation does not protect from teardowns or other adverse changes. In a Chicago Landmark District, alterations to the exterior of a building that require a building permit are subject to review and approval by the Landmarks Commission.

The next step will have the proposal go before the Department of Planning for approval. Afterwards there should be a public hearing. The proposal would then to to the City Council for the final vote.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Rumor has it that a new bar called "UP", a martini bar is going to go into the space across from Borders in the 4700 block of Broadway, in the building currently undergoing rehab. Projected opening is late spring.

ALDERMANIC and CITY ELECTIONS - February 27, 2007
Early Voting available Feb 5 - Feb 22
46th Ward site: Truman College, 1134 W. Wilson Ave.
47th Ward site: Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
48th Ward site: Edgewater Library, 1210 W. Elmdale Ave
Times: Monday-Friday (9-5); Sat/Sun (9-noon)

Celebrating the true spirit of the season, Buena Park Neighbors continued their tradition of being Good Neighbors, and adopted 2 Buena Park families. They had a holiday event and membership drive at The Holiday Club, (4000 N. Sheridan) on December 14th. Attendees were asked to either bring an unwrapped item from a list or to donate cash. Through the generosity of BP Neighbors, over $1,000 was collected. Each child received clothing and one item from their “wish list”. Both moms and dad received clothing as well as many items on their wish lists. Two of the little girls had had their coats stolen from a Laundromat, so they received replacement winter coats, hats, mittens as well as Dora the Explorer night gowns, tooth brushes and dolls. The smaller family was given $250 in gift cards from grocery and department stores, and their electric bill paid. The larger family received $275 in gift cards

Here I am with BP's president, Ken Pearl amongst some of the goodies collected. Thanks to Ken, Katie, and Marsha for putting together this wonderful event, and showing us all the true spirit of the holidays.