Polititians Office at 1409 W. Morse hasn't helped! It's "Gotten Worse" as exclusively reported here earlier!
Twenty-five or so resident's, which included Alderman Moore, CAPS Beat 2431 Facilitator Kevin O'Neil, 10 police officers, DevCorp North representatives Rene Carmago and three "Suits" from Tactical Solutions Group, our new armed security company, paid for with SSA #24 money, got some bad news Monday night at the January Beat 2431 meeting.
Beat 2431 area involves at least 7,000 residents.
*Index Crime is Up 6.9% for the year 2004.*
*Non-Index Crime is Up 9.4% for the year 2004.*
We were AGAIN promised Morse Avenue will change. Kevin O'Neil promised AGAIN to look into a year and a half old CAPS issue of closing Soo Liqours. A project I took the time to get involved with, but somehow Kevin let it fall through the cracks. Alderman Moore promised to look into this too. I will do a story on this subject if it doesn't get a response.
Here are a few other subjects we talked about.
The liquor store under the EL Stop in the photograph below is targeted to be closed.
A "Friend of Joe", we will call him Joe's Yes Man, asked if a "Vote-Dry would do any good?" We got a five minute blah, blah, blah speech. Shocking huh?
The Police promised more of these Roll Calls.
The 1400-1600 Blocks of West Morse Avenue are off limits to the Vise-Loards, Pea-Stonies and GeeDee's as I reported earlier. Our Police Department said many times though-out the evening, " You are with us, or you are against us!" This means, either us citizens report these crimes by calling 911 and sign a complaint form on your call. If you don't do that, us citizens are harboring and helping these "Open Air Drug Market Salesman" who have made Morse Avenue their area in which to do business. It's our fault.
They want citizens to report to the police what kind of cars "The Open Air Drug Market Salesman" drive. Like this Open Air Drug Market Fleet Vehicle.
Joe, Kevin and Rene talked Kindergarden SSA's. I asked some High School Budget SSA questions, but the leaders had "NO COMMENT", they want to stick to the ABC 's of SSA's.
Here is an example of the leaders SSA descriptions, little money, special planters, streetscape, lot's of commissioners. My questions included, how much little money, what special planters, and where were the nine commissioners tonight?
I also got to ask why DevCorp North has "MET WITH with the New Commander MANY, MANY, MANY TIMES", about Tactical Solutions Group coming to Morse Avenue, yet this "New Commander" can't meet with the residents or attend a meeting the Alderman set up for the residents? I got a "NO COMMENT" and "Working on logistics" answers.
Joe talked Streetscape with Federal Transportation money being used for this project. This was only a two minute blah, blah, blah speech.
Joe repeated that we have Fewer Police on the street, but offered no more information on what happened with this resolution?
We talked about not having a lockup facility at the 24th District Police Station, suspects are taken to the 20th to be held.
We talked of a new furniture/photo copy store, Double Crown International Inc. 6954 N. Glenwood Avenue. We got a coupon for free copies for 30 days! For that I'm adding their phone number 773-465-7990. See, I can be bought too.
Does anyone have any questions? Only people who will leave names, will get answers. And no, I'm not explaining index and non-index crimes and what they mean. Come to a CAPS meeting and find out. Kevin O'Neil explains these boring things very well. If you have a Persnickety Hangnail on you're finger, he may be able to help you with that also?
Remember, get involved or you are part of the problem.
45 comments:
Glad to know 05 hasn't changed and it's still 'our' fault for slumlords, gangbangers, drugdealers and hookers. There are three parts to the process 1. Call 2. sign a complaint 3. silent alerts and the police show up and see what the call is about. I didn't read #3 anywhere, was it discussed?
Toni
Yes Toni, three was briefy mentioned by Kevin! This was a 30 second infomercial.
"Vote-Dry would do any good?"
Nope. Just one more reason not to shop Morse Ave.
So, my question is this: I read in the "DevCorp" publication that crime in Rogers Park is actually down. Are these statistics compatible? If this only covers 7,000 residents I'm not sure if they are. Still, what areas does this cover? I live at the corner Lunt and Glenview so i'm pretty interested in this.
sincerely,
dan k.
drumsinchicago@hotmail.com
whoops, i just took a closer look at the map and answered my own question. sorry about that.
dan k.
p.s. still, i'd be interested to see how accurate that devcorp article was on crime in rogers park. i'm not accusing them of anything, and i don't have anything against them. just curious.
Going dry is not a solution, but reducing the number of liquor stores that cater to a certain clientele is. How many other El stops have so many liquor stores within one block? I can't think on any.
Ban the sale of 40s and single cans, have them sell nothing under a six pack or a case. No more booze-on-the-go, and things will improve.
Why Soo Liquors is Still OpenContributions to Citizens For Joe Moore from Soo & Han Inc.,
1420 W. Morse
$1,000.00 on 3/3/2003
$500.00 on 2/12/2001
$500.00 on 12/31/2001
$500.00 on 3/9/2000
$500.00 on 11/17/1999
$3000.00 since 1999
Illinois State Board of Elections Campaign Disclosure Search Engine
>How many other El stops have so many liquor stores within one block?
This EL stop's Alderman is in the business of selling liquor licenses.
If the Alderman won't do what needs to be done, we can get it done with a referendum.
To Harrington: When my friends and I talk about a "perception" problem regarding crime in Rogers Park, we're talking about the perception that those outside the community have that it is the most dangerous neighborhood on the North Side. I think the DevCorp analysis proved that it isn't.
That DevCorp analysis didn't say crime was lower in RP. What I read was that *per capita* crime was a lot lower in the Rogers Park district than in 3 of the other 4 North Side districts. Thus, your chances of being a crime victim were greater in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Uptown than in Rogers Park. That's the "dirty little secret" that goes unreported, and it's because the population of the 24th District is so much greater than that of the other North Side districts.
So when I talk about "perception of crime," that's what I'm talking about -- the perception that Rogers PArk is THE most dangerous place to live on the North Side.
It's just not true. Is there too mcuh crime? Absolutely. Should we demand more from police to reduce it. Yes.
I think it’s important to define the parameters where the “perception” problem exists. It’s pretty clear that there is a world of difference in safety and quality of life between East Rogers Park and larger Rogers Park, aka, the 24th District. The 24th District stretches south to Peterson and west to Kedzie. And the low crime rate in the west part of the district carries the “safety” weight for the “safety-challenged” patches in the district, especially Morse Ave east of Clark.
So uses district-wide crime statistics to try to convince people that Morse Ave is safe, because it’s their mission to promote Rogers Park. It would be interesting to see what the “per capita” crime rate is for Beat 2431, but I don’t think such beat level stats are available.
At the same time, it’s easy to point fingers at community leaders, but the problem is a lot bigger than one person or group of people.
Who gives a flying what DevCorp North's analysis showed? Why should anyone believe an organization that lies on their financial disclosures every year and on every grant application? You have no credibility.
Tip for anonymous DevCorp North apologists: Get your own house in order, then come talk to us about our neighborhood.
Restate and resubmit your financial disclosures since buying into Gateway Mall in 1996.
Update your website to acknowledge your ownership of Gateway Mall.
Put your silly logo on the signage at your shopping mall.
You will have better luck telling little lies if you clear up your Big Lie. It's time to come clean with the neighborhood you claim to serve about who and what you are.
I never have believed the crime is down bull. Craig, one thing for sure, you never give up. Do you? I would not like to be in your path of destruction. This is not a bad thing mind you. I'm glad I pick up my dog crap. See you in the park dude.
it’s easy to point fingers at community leaders, but the problem is a lot bigger than one person or group of people.
# posted by Anonymous : 12:51 PM
If it is so easy to point fingers at the community leaders, why do so few challenge them on their wrongdoings and lies? Yes, one person can't solve this problem, but all of us together can. Craig keeps the volunteerism effort going, I for one do not want to lose the important voice he adds around Rogers Park. From the silly fliers to the protest signs, his public ranting and raving at meetings, no one challenges our leadership the way he does! And he achieves results along the way.
Andy
Those rants are staged!!!!!!! I have seen him and Joe talking together, normal, before and after such meetings.
He once collected 3 large garbage bags of empty beer and booze bottles from Morse and left them at the Aldermans door.
I would like to thank Kevin O'Neil for following up on an issue that was discussed last night, so quickly. This was very refreshing to see some community teamwork.
I would like to thank Mr. Harrington for signing up and leaving a comment. Not that any of us see eye to eye on all things, we know who each other are and volunteer to make Rogers Park a better place. Charlie works for a community leader, we know where he stands! Toni too. We all have different ideas, but one goal. David Fagus signed up, his condo board president did. Dan and Andy left their names, but I don't know a Andy, I know a couple of Sandy's. Fake names are ok.
I will address one anon, no, these are not staged rants, and... yes, we communicate before and after meetings, but Joe doesn't seem to do anything to follow up, IT FALLS ON DEAF EARS! When I brought this comment up last night, Lt. Fitzsimmons jumped all over me for saying this. I pray Lt Fitzsimmons is a man of his word.
I'm sure those numbers would be even higher if we had cops walking the streets! I walked home from the el tonight, two squad cars were parked, officers sitting inside the cars. The gangbangers were in front of the fast food deli, and on Morse and Greenview. At least 8 of them. A couple of them are white?
". Charlie works for a community leader, we know where he stands!"
Where in fact do I STAND? Please inform us all.
I can't wait to hear.
Craig......I thought you were a Community Leader No?
????????????????????????????????????????????????????
DevCorp North on CrimeThey're in favor of it. In fact, to express their commitment to crime, DevCorp North commits the same crime, every year. Every year DevCorp North files financial disclosures with the Internal Revenue Service, deliberately understating their assets, rather than 'fess up to a really, really bad decision made many years ago, because coming clean might jeopardize their tax-exempt status and their ability to secure grants. But that's what happens when you lie, when you begin a life of crime, it's hard to stop. By now, they are understating their assets by tens of millions of dollars.
In our neighborhood, DevCorp North is a shining example of every citizen's inalienable right to a earn, by any means necessary. Times are tough, hey, the gang-bangers on Morse and Howard are just out there trying to earn a living, and that's all DevCorp North's salaried officers are trying to do, after all. The ends justifies the means.
On the crime issue, DevCorp North stands firmly on the side of the outlaws. DevCorp North is an ongoing insult to those in our community struggling to make an honest living. We might as well get our crime stats from Al Capone.
Such hostility! I’ve seen the Untouchables enough times to know that Al Capone was eventually brought down by the IRS. Clearly, by now you have enough evidence to at least get a review of Dev Corp’s tax-exempt status. At the least, it may prove more productive than laying out your case on Craig’s Blog Page. Somehow, I doubt that our newly appointed Attorney General is a regular reader (no slight intended, Craig).
Did someone on the DevCorp board beat you up in kindergarten or something?
Bugsy
Did someone on the DevCorp board beat you up in kindergarten or something?
I'll bet it was that Kimberly Bares, wasn't it? She has the look of a former bully, doesn't she?
Good point about DevCorp allegedly hiding its vast holdings from the IRS. Quit moaning about it to this tired little audience and tell the AG if you really think you have something. After all, that's what Craig would do, right Craig?
DevCorp North will be honest with the community they claim to serve when forced to by authorities?
What good does it do when a authorty figure in 49th Ward Alderman Joesph Moore promotes such fraud? How can you be "part of the solution", when you are "part of the problem"?
Backing from authorities didn't help Donald Tomczak with the hired truck scandal, did it? If what you say is true, there must be fifty similar so-called non-profits spread throughout the city. Thousands throughout the country. This could be just the tip of the ice berg. Craig, why are you sitting on a “Hired Community Development Corp Scamdal” while taking pictures of garbage in planters? Why aren’t you organizing protests and taking photos or something? If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, right?
Take yourselves down to the AG's office. Tell them, here's what we did, here's how it happened, we want to make it right. Help fight crime in Rogers Park.
Backing from authorities didn't help Donald Tomczak with the hired truck scandal, did it? If what you say is true, there must be fifty similar so-called non-profits spread throughout the city. Thousands throughout the country. This could be just the tip of the ice berg. Craig, this is so unlike you. Why are you sitting on a “Hired Community Development Corp Scandal” while taking pictures of garbage in planters? Why aren’t you organizing protests and taking photos or something? If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem, right?
George
Science Marches On!> ... the perception that Rogers Park is THE most dangerous place to
> live on the North Side. It's just not true.
DevCorp North pays Dan Butts, who recently stayed in a Holiday Inn Express, to slice & dice north side crime stats, published in the Rogers Park Community Council's "Rogers Park 2000" newspaper, widely available throughout the neighborhood. And our astute researcher discovers that:
* if you focus on January through September,
* if you throw out actual data for October through December,
* if you use made-up data for October-December instead,
* if you consider crime district-wide rather than focus on a particular beat,
* if you average crime over all 5 north side police districts,
* if you are willing to use Police District 24 stats but draw conclusions about Rogers Park (they are NOT the same),
* if you dilute violent crimes by lumping in property crimes,
* if you further dilute crime by consider crime per capita,
... That Rogers Park is NOT the most dangerous place on Chicago's north side!
Anyway, who said it WAS?
And wasn't this a beat 2431 meeting?
Let's all meet in front of Soo Liquors and discuss these results.
Our new Neighborhood Branding:
"Rogers Park: NOT the Most Dangerous Place on Chicago's North Side"
Maybe we can paint this under the viaduct at Morse or weld it into a wrought iron arch over the street.
If we adopt crime per capita as our bogey, every time we tear down a single family frame home and replace it with concrete block condos, we reduce crime! The police department's crime fighting has not been very effective. Crime could be reduced much more efficiently by simply packing us in on top of each other more tightly. Let's re-zone all of Rogers Park as R4 or R5 as a crime-fighting measure.
Young Daniel shows great promise. The ability to deliver the results the client wants from any given set of data is an important job skill.
Are you trying to say he is a perfect suck up?
DevCorp North: Potter Palmer or Little Sisters of the Poor?
Why not put your logo on Gateway Mall?
Why not admit to owning Gateway Mall on your web site?
Why not declare your share of this asset on your financial disclosures?
Why not be honest with the community you claim to serve?
Are you ashamed of Gateway Mall? Aren't you proud of Gateway's Mall impact on our neighborhood? Are you embarrassed of the vacancies?
Or are you afraid it will make it harder to get grant money if it is known that you are part owners of the most valuable and lucrative property in our neighborhood?
Or are afraid it might be a public relations nightmare? Are you afraid some might think it unseemly that you are both the sole service provider for the Howard Special Service Area as well as its biggest beneficiary? Don't you trust the people in our community to understand this?
There's nothing wrong with what you are doing, right? Why not come out of the closet?
Come on, DevCorp North, you guys are the Masters of Spin.
You spin self-service into community service.
You spin self-promotion into community promotion.
You spin a city agency into the voice of the people.
You spin lobbying into advocacy.
You spin corporatization into economic development.
You spin corporate welfare into neighborhood initiatives.
You spin displacing local businesses into progress.
You spin squandering tax money into a long list of accomplishments.
Don't tell me you've finally met your match.
Surely you can spin a little conflict of interest into an innovative partnership?
Surely you can spin a little fraud into creative accounting?
Get your Public Relations Committee on it.
To who-ever posted this:
Good point about DevCorp allegedly hiding its vast holdings from the IRS. Quit moaning about it to this tired little audience...
# posted by Anonymous : 8:47 AM
1/16/05
Check some of the new press, some little audience I have now, huh?
DevCorp North,
You can stop the moaning whenever you are ready. All you have to do is:
Restate and resubmit your financial disclosures since in 1996.
Put your logo on your shopping mall.
Acknowledge your ownership of Gateway Mall on your website.
>...tell the AG if you really think you have something.
If possible I'd like to settle this between neighbors. Do the right thing.
I don' t think you should be using a website with PayPal links to solicite money from me and my neighbors, if you are not willing to provide us with a full, accurate, and complete statement of your assets as required by law. Most of my neighbors and the businesses in my neighborhood have far fewer resources than you. You are solicting funds from me and my neighbors under false pretenses. Please take the PayPal links off your web site.
http://devcorpnorth.org/join.html
Further, your internet solicitation of funds from me and my neighbors includes the claim that if we send you money we can "make money."
Soliciting money by claiming you can make money is serious. Did you clear this verbage with you lawyers or is this soliciation the work of an overly enthusiastic web master or publicist?
Have faith, DevCorp North!
Have faith in your members. They believe in you, no matter what. Have faith that they will still send in their checks every year, even after they begin to understand that you have more assets than all of your members put together, with the possible exception of MB Financial.
Have faith in your donors. They understand how important your work with the planters and the posters in the windows is to the future of the neighborhood. They will be just as generous, even if after they know you own a shopping mall.
Have faith in the community. Have faith that the neighborhood will still show you the same love they show you now, even after they begin to understand that you have been lying to them for years.
Have faith!
An off the-books partnership, everybody had one back then. Lying to the IRS, everybody does it. They're not a real crimes, they're white collar crimes. No one does time for these kinds of things. Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling are partying with the Bushes and Cheneys this week. Don't worry. Explain to the authorities it was a different era.
Hey, DevCorp North, why don't you put your scientific study of crime in Rogers Park on your web site? It's good enough for the Rogers Park Community Council ad rag but not good enough for your website? I would like as many of my neighbors as possible to read your insightful contribution to fighting crime in our neighborhood.
DevCorp North, aren't you proud of your 2004 end-of-year crime wrap-up report?
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