Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 4:05 PM
To: Ward46
Subject: Re: Ald. Helen Shiller: Shooting in your ward, the ward continues to crumble.
Dear nameless respondent to my e-mail,
First, I really would encourage you to speak with the neighborhood block presidents in your ward, specifically within uptown. Most of them know or have met me and know that I am very active in the neighborhood. I also met one of your representatives at a meeting attended by many of the block club presidents at the 20th precinct in which we discussed the apparent erosion of our neighborhood about two months ago. I have been out in the neighborhood nightly with my dog meeting people and "being present" as the police have recommended - despite the apparent fact that our safety appears to be more in jeopardy now than ever (shootings becoming more prevalent).
We were also told that a camera was approved for Lawrence and Sheridan OVER a year ago and has not yet been erected. Well, now several shootings and MUCH crime has taken place at that corner, much of which may have been avoided all together or perhaps just moved away from the Boys and Girls club and school that are both located just north of where this camera should have been.
Net net, the ward and neighborhood are NOT going in a good direction.
We need Alderman Shiller's guidance, participation and leadership more now than ever. The usual course of aldermanic business within the 46th will not suffice if the neighborhood is not to regress.
Alderman Shiller is not "responsible for everything wrong in our area" - and your insinuating that these are my thoughts or words is utterly insulting and condescending. My note is merely a very solid and insistent plea for your office to participate in the betterment of our neighborhood, and not to turn a blind eye or placate the ward's inhabitants as appears to have been the case for so long - at great cost to the people living amidst the more dangerous parts of the ward- not in Andersonville amidst the several hundred thousand dollar condos (Alderman Shiller). We are in the trenches. Our children could be injured or killed by these bullets.
We are worried, scared and angry, and your insistence that I should "...show them your support. Join your block club, attend CAPS meetings, talk to your beat cops, get involved mentoring or helping youth through one of the amazing orgnaizations in our ward, or just be the neighbor who WILL call the police when they see something happening" is INFURIATING! I have called 9-1-1 over 40 times so far this year because of drug deals or crime I have witnessed, some times at risk to my own personal safety. I AM INVOLVED and I am insulted that you assume I am one of the peopel who sits back and allows others to do the dirty work.
We just want to see people from the community not roll their eyes when approaching Alderman Shiller is brought up as a potential solution for any problem in her ward.
Again, I ask- plea... I am frustrated. We are frustrated, and scared.
Please, please do SOMETHING.
Chris Freeman
773.456.1380
----- Original Message ----
From: Ward46
To: Chris Freeman
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 6:12:29 PM
Subject: Re: Ald. Helen Shiller: Shooting in your ward, the ward continues to crumble.
Hello Mr. Freeman,
Our office has been in contact with the Commander's Offices of the 20th and 23rd Police Districts regarding the shooting on Friday. Both districts with the help of Area 3 detectives are conducting a very thorough investigation. This shooting has been unsettling to everyone and we appreciate and share your concern about this uptick in violence in the 46th Ward as well as throughout the city.
Many residents and reps from both Aldermen's offices are marching tonight throughout the Buttercup park area, so please join in and show them your support. Join your block club, attend CAPS meetings, talk to your beat cops, get involved mentoring or helping youth through one of the amazing orgnaizations in our ward, or just be the neighbor who WILL call the police when they see something happening.
I am sorry you feel that Alderman Shiller is reponsible for everything wrong in your area. Uptown has changed tremendously over the years of Alderman Shiller's tenure. In just the last five years crime was down every year, until this summer when violence has erupted throughout the city. Any violence is too much and that is how the police and our office look at it, so we are working on it, and we encourage you to get involved as well.
Best,
>>> Chris Freeman <cfreeman411@yahoo.com> 8/30/2008 2:18 PM >>>
This is an enquiry e-mail via http://www.aldermanshiller.com from:
Chris Freeman <cfreeman411@yahoo.com>
Will you please do something to better your ward? Please do something to make it safer. Please do something to ensure that inhabitants of your, and surrounding, wards do not erupt in laughter when your name and office is brought up by police as a potential tool to combat crime and gang activity in your and surrounding, wards.
I have nothing against you or your office, I do find it incredibly offensive that an elected public official like yourself and those within your office can permit your ward to deteriorate. The shooting at Gunnison and Sheridan was a new low for your ward and our community.
This took place RIGHT ACROSS FROM the Boys and Girls Club at 3PM IN THE AFTERNOON. I know the B&G club is not in your ward, hence it does not concern you or your office- but kids could have been killed, not to mention any of us who live within ONE block of this incident who pay taxes to keep our elected officials in office and working "for the betterment of the community."
I am frustrated. We are frustrated. Please, please do SOMETHING.
Anything you need from me, please do not hesitate to ask. I am not hesitating to ask you for your help. We do not feel safe anymore and blame you and your office largely for this unfortunate circumstance.
Regards,
Chris Freeman
Michilla Blaise
City Services Coordinator
46th Ward Service Office of Alderman Helen Shiller
4544 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60640
773.878.4646
fax - 773/878-4920
michilla.blaise@cityofchicago.org
1 comment:
The neighborhood seems to be very quite between the hours of 3:00am and 10:00am based on the times I have been out since Labor Day. Between the hours of 10:00am and 5:00pm I have noticed a few things going on. It has remained quite infrom of the proposed LaborReady site, but groups of different teanagers wearing dark jeans and white T-shirts in groups of generally 5 or more in the following locations: 1) Grassy area between McCutchin School and Boys and Girls Club.2) Entrance to the Boys and Girls club Parking lot.3) Various locations on Gunnison Between the Sheridan and the Townhouses4) In front of the S&L Pantry on Sheridan5) In front of the Diner/Hotdog stand in the JJ Peppers Parking lot. Activities have varied between the following:1) Just standing and talking2) Talking to 4 older looking individuals in a late model Chevy3) Pitiching Coins4) Throwing dice5) Making comments to Girls/Ladies as they walk down the street6) Drinking As I pass through sometimes they move on before I get there, sometimes they enter the Boys and Girls Club, and sometimes they continue doing whatever they are doing. It also appears that the neighborhood quites down around 5:00pm at which time some of these groups enter the Boys and Girls club. After 7:00pm they seem to start to get back together in groups on Sheridan infrom of the playlot of the Boys and Girls club. I hope this helps just based on my observations and its not everyday and not the same times.
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