By Five o'clock AM, they were still working the 1300 block of Morse, Glenwood to Lunt, and all point in between.
At 6:40 AM, I caught them making a sale, handing-off a white rock to the black lady in the camouflage over-alls. It all happened in a blink of an eye. They were right under my window, so I couldn't get the exact hand-off on camera. But believe me, that's what happened. I did get a photograph as they went back to the 1300 block of West Morse Avenue. Happy as can be. Wonder if they'll still be around for the ribbon cutting this morning?
14 comments:
One question:
If you think this neighborhood is so terrible, why don't you move?
I JUST moved into the neighborhood- if I had read this blog before I moved here, I'd be scared for my life. I live on Lunt, near the lake and yeah, I can see pockets of bad stuff but this place is no different than Wicker Park used to be several years ago. Hell, I moved here because the rent was cheap, my apartment lovely, and transportation not so bad- and I am someone who is considered on the up and up. there are artist coming in... all we need is a starbucks and a borders and then you will KNOW that this neighborhood is getting cleaned up.
And then I'll have to move out because my $860 apartment will go for $1100.
There are many reasons why we don't move. First, why should we have to? Why should we allow these drug dealers and gangbangers to drive us out? We're the law-abiding ones; they're the ones who should reconsider their lifestyles.
Second, many of us have bought our condos or homes. When you own, you're not as mobile as renters are.
Third, many of us were drawn by the same amenities you mentioned: proximity to the lake, public transportation, vintage units, affordable prices. The middle class has been priced out of many of the "hipper" parts of Chicago, so Rogers Park is the next obvious place to look. Depending on who you talk to, it can be considered an "up-and-coming" neighborhood; logically, gentrification should sweep north and improve the quality of life here.
I don't want to speak for everybody, but that's why I came and that's why I'm staying. I hold out hope that in spite of the ineptitudes of many of our elected officials, this place will someday be a nice place to live.
but you're in South Evanston, not in Rogers PArk South evanstonian!
Get Real. Chicago Not Evanston Dufus
South Evanston and Rogers Park have many of the same problems. There might as well be no boundary line.
Well I am not so sure that the neighborhood is getting better- but I do know that it is better than it was 15 years ago.
I don't know what to say or think-
I just signed a year lease. Lucky for me, so long as I don't get dragged to work for City of Chicago, I'll only be here about 30% of the time due to my job. But its a nice apartment for that 30% of the time. I just wish there were a little more cool things around here- I'd love an Argo tea! A major bookstore- A grocery store! Bike shop. Pet store...
But I guess that will be a long time coming.
At least my old dog enjoyed going to the beach this morning!
Leaving for the airport on Friday at 4:45am, I saw 2 guys in front of the Morse L -one in a black T one in a white T.
Ask yourself, why would 2 young guys of about 20-something age be standing in front of the L at that time? Why do the police allow it? Are they carrying drugs?
Two days earlier, walking to work in the am about 8:00, I saw huge white and black t-shirts hanging from the bus stop at Wayne and Morse like flags. (I removed them)
I'm always glad for the Alderman or public officials to show a presence on Morse. We need all the help we can get to take back that street from the drug dealers. Everyone should walk down Morse all the time and maybe we'd put them out of business- they prefer privacy you know.
I get the distinct impression that after dark, the drug dealers take over Morse Avenue.
Maybe these people were meeting up for an early morning jog along the lakefront?
...my friend refers to the 20-sizes-too-big-for-them white t-shirts as "nightgowns"...I really got a kick out of that.
So what is to be done? If the alderman sucks, is it time to do a patition to the Mayor? How about gather all the evidence (need more than Craig to do this) and send it off to Channel 5 news to do an expose.
Sitting down and bitching will only do so much. The best idea I can think of is to get video and pictures and then send it to the news. Shame them into doing somehting about it by letting the media chew on it. Personally, I don't want to see murals- I think that good graffiti is more interesting (I sad GOOD graffti) but I would rather they shut down the liquor store under the "L".
Here is an idea- pass an ordinace that forbids stores to carry alcohol on CTA property.
^^ Ugh... so many spelling and grammar mistakes. I can't wait until I am totally moved in to use my "good" computer/laptops.
When are the CAPS meetings? Where are they?
I suspect that the Police are leery of coming around because everytime they do they see this crazy white guy with a camera taking pictures.
I wouldn't worry about the spelling until a anonymous neighbor starts a blog about it.
CAPS meetings:
Third Monday of the month, if you live on the south side of Lunt. (Beat 2431) 1501 West Morse.
Third Wednesday of the month, if you live on the north side of Lunt. (Beat 2423) Trilogy Building, 4th floor. Glenwood and Greenleaf.
some of us are moving...well for school but still moving
i live around loyola, pay 300 a month, great place, area is decent, nothing really around to do but i can car it up to evanston easily enough
i was up north of howard th eother day walking around trying to find the ups store, its much different up there
also, I saw two guys the other day in lakeview dealing drugs, both wearing these white shirts, is this a drug thing I am not aware of, I am seeing it alot
All these gangsters dress the same. White tee shirt, dark pants. That way when the Police are called and given a description it fits everyone standing on the corner. But you knew that, right?
Big Daddy, you hit the nail on the head with your assessment of the white tee, dark pants uniform offering anonymity. Considering the original intent, it is really sad to see the shirts used this way.
Originally, and I'm referring to the late nineties here, the white tee's were an anti-gang statement. Teens who had no gang affiliation could wear them without worrying about the police or gang members mistaking them for belonging to one gang or another depending on the colors or color combination they were wearing. They were plentiful and inexpensive so the kids could wear them without breaking anyone’s budgets. Unfortunately, now white tees (and black tees) have come to mean something more nefarious, i.e. drugs and violence. The drug dealers Craig caught on camera do seem to be wearing a "uniform" of white tees and dark pants or jeans. According to published reports about the gooning incidents, the attackers were also wearing white tees and dark pants. What a shame it is to see what was once meant to be an anti-gang (and everything they represent) fashion statement usurped by such anti-social miscreants.
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