Thursday, November 20, 2008

Kids Continue to Brawl in the 49th Ward

Yesterday there were so many teen group fights it was hard to keep up with. In the 3 o'clock hour a brawl broke at in the 1400 block of West Lunt. When police arrived the fighters ran like cowards.

In the 5 o'clock hour a neighbor called 911 after hearing 'shots fired' at Fargo and Damen.

During the 6 o'clock hour a group fight involving our youth took place at Chase and Greenview, according to one anonymous 911 caller. A police chase ensued during this group fight. Also during the 6 o'clock hour, an anonmyous neighbor said a group fight took place at Greenleaf and Sheridan. At the same time multiple anonymous 911 callers said there was a group fight at Lunt and Sheridan. This one I confirmed by looking out my window. So many police cars showed up, you'd think there was an outdoor role call. A few kids were rounded up, then released a shortly thereafter. I'm guessing none of the kids wanted to press charges against each other. They'd rather settle the matter themselves. If history is any indication, the fights should resume shortly after school lets out today.

16 comments:

Hugh said...

ya think Rogers Park's after-school programs might come up next Mon nite?

Mr. Cmdr, sir, are 3 PM brawls something we should try to get used to?

how you gonna stop murders when you can't stop school kids from beating each other to a pulp every damn day?

Scott said...

All together now (link arms and sway)...

I believe that children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

Craig Gernhardt said...

===I believe that children are our future===

The future looks bleak.

proGun said...

This a community problem and not a police problem.

When the kids commit a crime it is a police problem.
Kids walking home from school should not need police involvement.

There are community members looking for ways to assist the police in deterring fights.

Personally I am playing to my strengths by coaching and teaching as time permits.

Local clergy have expressed interest in increasing involvement and have been invited by me to next weeks meeting.

Anonymous said...

I was in front Sullivan High yesterday. Police cars were flying to the school at 10am. The first cop to arrive said "every single day!" I saw them put at least 2 kids in the squad car but I had to go to work. I knew we were in for more fights that afternoon.

MadeInRogersPark said...

Chicago Public Schools has a Uniform Discipline Code. Fighting and or causing disturbance on the way to or from school is a violation of this code. Repeated violations can be cause for suspension or expulsion.
If the school administrators were outside both in the morning and at dismissal they can create a visual presence. Then those causing the disturbance will know that someone is watching. I know this practice is in play at other Chicago High Schools. Since this behavior is so prevalent can anyone inform the community what the school is doing to stop it!

proGun said...

http://policy.cps.k12.il.us/documents/0.pdf

Ryne said...

Stop all this talk of fights & also crime in Rogers Park!!! You are all fabricating these stories...I say this because little joey (I make 110,000 a year) moore told me crime is down!!!

Craig & all keep up telling the truth of what goes on in the ward!!

2good4u2 said...

Why not charge them with
Mob Action or
Reckless Conduct?

Big Daddy said...

You could charge them with the Lincoln assassination and it wouldn't matter. They are juveniles and they know that law protects THEM. But Mob Action and Reckless Conduct are used.

Hugh said...

bring beer Monday nite, we can have a drinking game!

anyone says "Crime is down": chug full bottle

anyone says: "It's not the responsibility of the ____ office." or "We can't be held responsible for _____ ": sip

Chip Bagg said...

Is there a possibility that these fights are staged to antagonize the police? The idiot kids are getting what they want: attention.
It's an afternoon cat and mouse game with the cops whom the kids hate. Is anyone ever hurt as a result of these fights?

rogerspark60645 said...

I'm with Hugh.

Unknown said...

'Why not charge them with
Mob Action or
Reckless Conduct?'

Absolutely. Perhaps they should treat gang fights like hate crimes in the sense that, if you're affiliated with a gang, there are special punishments attached. Something to at least get these bastards out of the way of the untold hundreds of well-meaning kids who suffer from gang activities (directly or indirectly) every day. I liked ProGun's comment about coaching and teaching too. Many gang theorists prescribe the notion that kids join gangs for a sense of belonging and assimilation (financial, ethnic, cultural, etc). Now who's responsibility is that?! Community, cops, or parents? All three?

Man On The Street said...

With all of this everyday fighting, starting as early as 10 a.m., teaching anything at this school must be next to impossible. Which means a whole 'nother generation of undereducated innercity residents hanging out on the streets. Great.

presstoe said...

About a month ago I actually emailed Sullivan High School directly about he constant after school problems. I asked why and asked what the community could do to help, if volunteers were needed, etc. They did not respond to my email.

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