FROM "THE RP AND BEYOND' BLOG...Posted Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Evanston Creepin'

"According to the EvanstonNow.com website, Evanston Police have started cleaning up the mess down here in the RP and Chicago. At least someone is doing it.

Evanston Police offer the following details on a Rogers Park drug bust , posted Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at 5:29 pm by Bill Smith

Evanston police this afternoon released more details about a drug raid they conducted in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood on Friday, August 26th.

Evanston Police Cmdr. James Elliot says that last month investigators from the department’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team -- the gang and narcotics investigation unit -- received information that drugs were being sold to Evanston residents from an apartment just over the border in Chicago.  The unit's investigation resulted in a search warrant being approved for the residence, located at 7638 N. Bosworth, Apt. GW, in Chicago.

About 7:25 a.m. Friday, Evanston police executed the search warrant. Elliot says they found over $500 in cash, 23 bags of a brown powder suspected to be heroin, seven bags of a white rock-like substance suspected to be crack cocaine, 35 pills believed to be used as a heroin cutting agent and 15 assorted pills all believed to be controlled substances.  Investigators say they also found evidence of drug packaging materials in the apartment.

Issac Jerome Roach, 26, and Ebony Nicole Sanders, 24, who both live in the apartment, were arrested and were each charged with five counts of unlawful possession of controlled substances and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver.  They are scheduled to appear in Skokie district court at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9.

A third subject was charged with aggravated assault to a peace officer and resisting arrest after he attempted to enter the apartment while police were searching it.  Elliot says that when officers attempted to prevent his access to the apartment, Thomas Eugene Sanders, 20, of 7719 N. Paulina in Chicago, allegedly refused to leave the area and allegedly attempted to punch an officer with his fist.  He's scheduled to appear in Skokie district court at 9 a.m. on Sept. 13."
http://rp-and-beyond.blogspot.com/ 

Comment:

According to the addresses, both of these Units are located in buildings owned and operated by AIMCO as NorthPoint Apartments, (there are 12 NorthPoint buildings, totaling 304 apartments in the North of Howard neighborhood) all are H.U.D. subsidized, 'project based' Section 8 rental housing!  This begs two questions; 1)"Where is the NorthPoint property management?" and 2)"Where the hell is Chicago's 24th District Police?!" 

Thanks and a 'tip of the hat' to the Evanston PD for taking care of business for the North of Howard neighborhood in Chicago's 24th District Police, Beat 2422!  Your efforts to make our community safer and improve the quality of life for the residents is greatly appreciated.

YESTERDAY'S BEAT 2422 CAPS MEETING....

Thanks to all the neighbors who were able to turn out for the meeting.  Unfortunately, we were not able to meet the new 24th District Commander, due to an unexpected last minute personal emergency.  A number of those who attended complained about the need to disperse 'crowds' who loiter on the public way throughout our neighborhood at all hours of the day and night. We were basically told by the attending 24th District Officers that the "police don't have the ability or power to disperse such groups out of concern for the ACLU coming after them for violating individual rights."  I totally disagree and here's why,  per the City of Chicago Municipal Code:

^{(Here is a link to the complete 'Municipal Code of Chicago',}

^{current through June 8, 2011)}

The following is current and valid law in the City of Chicago………

<sup>8-4-015 Gang loitering.
(a) Whenever a police officer observes a member of a criminal street gang engaged in gang loitering with one or more other persons in any public place designated for the enforcement of this section under subsection (b), the police officer shall, subject to all applicable procedures promulgated by the superintendent of police: (i) inform all such persons that they are engaged in gang loitering within an area in which loitering by groups containing criminal street gang members is prohibited; (ii) order all such persons to disperse and remove themselves from within sight and hearing of the place at which the order was issued; and (iii) inform those persons that they will be subject to arrest if they fail to obey the order promptly or engage in further gang loitering within sight or hearing of the place at which the order was issued during the next eight hours.

(b) The superintendent of police shall by written directive designate areas of the city in which the superintendent has determined that enforcement of this section is necessary because gang loitering has enabled criminal street gangs to establish control over identifiable areas, to intimidate others from entering those areas, or to conceal illegal activities. Prior to making a determination under this subsection, the superintendent shall consult as he or she deems appropriate with persons who are knowledgeable about the effects of gang activity in areas in which the ordinance may be enforced. Such persons may include, but need not be limited to, members of the department of police with special training or experience related to criminal street gangs; other personnel of that department with particular knowledge of gang activities in the proposed designated area; elected and appointed officials of the area; community-based organizations; and participants in the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy who are familiar with the area. The superintendent shall develop and implement procedures for the periodic review and update of designations made under this subsection.

(c) The superintendent shall by written directive promulgate procedures to prevent the enforcement of this section against persons who are engaged in collective advocacy activities that are protected by the Constitution of the United States or the State of Illinois.

(d) As used in this section:

(1) Gang loitering means remaining in any one place under circumstances that would warrant a reasonable person to believe that the purpose or effect of that behavior is to enable a criminal street gang to establish control over identifiable areas, to intimidate others from entering those areas, or to conceal illegal activities.

(2) Criminal street gang means any ongoing organization, association in fact or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its substantial activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in paragraph (3), and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity.

(3) Criminal gang activity means the commission, attempted commission or solicitation of the following offenses, provided that the offenses are committed by two or more persons, or by an individual at the direction of, or in association with, any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members:

the following sections of the Criminal Code of 1961: 9-1 (murder), 9-3.3 (drug-induced homicide), 10-1 (kidnapping), 10-4 (forcible detention), subsection (a)(13) of Section 12-2 (aggravated assault – discharging firearm), 12-4 (aggravated battery), 12-4.1 (heinous battery), 12-4.2 (aggravated battery with a firearm), 12-4.3 (aggravated battery of a child), 12-4.6 (aggravated battery of a senior citizen), 12-6 (intimidation), 12-6.1 (compelling organization membership of persons), 12-11 (home invasion), 12-14 (aggravated criminal sexual assault), 18-1 (robbery), 18-2 (armed robbery), 19-1 (burglary), 19-3 (residential burglary), 19-5 (criminal fortification of a residence or building), 20-1 (arson), 20-1.1 (aggravated arson), 20-2 (possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices), subsections (a)(6), (a)(7), (a)(9) or (a)(12) of Section 24-1 (unlawful use of weapons), 24-1.1 (unlawful use or possession of weapons by felons or persons in the custody of the department of corrections facilities), 24-1.2 (aggravated discharge of a firearm), subsection (d) of Section 25-1 (mob action – violence), 33-1 (bribery), 33A-2 (armed violence), Sections 5, 5.1, 7 or 9 of the Cannabis Control Act where the offense is a felony (manufacture or delivery of cannabis, cannabis trafficking, calculated criminal cannabis conspiracy and related offenses), or Sections 401, 401.1, 405, 406.1, 407 or 407.1 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act (illegal manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, controlled substance trafficking, calculated criminal drug conspiracy and related offenses).

(4) Pattern of criminal gang activity

(5) Public place means the public way and any other location open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned.

(e) Any person who fails to obey promptly an order issued under subsection (a), or who engages in further gang loitering within sight or hearing of the place at which such an order was issued during the eight-hour period following the time the order was issued, is subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense, or imprisonment for not more than six months for each offense, or both. A second or subsequent offense shall be punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five days imprisonment.

In addition to or instead of the above penalties, any person who violates this section may be required to perform up to 120 hours of community service pursuant to Section 1-4-120 of this Code.

(f) Upon a third or subsequent conviction for a violation of subsection (e) of this section or subsection (d) of Section 8-4-017, or any combination thereof, within any 12-month period, a court, in addition to imposing the penalties prescribed in that subsection, shall enter an order requiring the convicted person to refrain, for a mandatory period of 30 days, from gang loitering, or narcotics-related loitering as defined in Section 8-4-017, within sight and hearing of the place of the police officer’s order issued under subsection (a) which served as the basis for the person’s most recent conviction, unless circumstances strongly mandate that such period should be shorter. Such an order must be obeyed regardless of whether any additional warning or notice is given to the person. Any person who violates an order issued by a court under this subsection (f) shall be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five days imprisonment but not more than six months imprisonment, plus a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00, for each violation. In addition to or instead of the penalties prescribed in this subsection (f), any person who violates an order issued by a court under this subsection (f) may be required to perform up to 120 hours of community service pursuant to Section 1-4-120 of this Code.

(Added Coun. J. 6-17-92 p. 18292; Amend Coun. J. 2-16-00, p. 25705, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81865, § 1)

Editor’s note – Prior to amendment by Coun. J. 2-16-00, p. 25705, § 1, this section pertained to gang-related congregations.


8-4-017 Narcotics-related loitering
(a) Whenever a police officer observes one or more persons engaged in narcotics-related loitering in any public place designated for the enforcement of this section under subsection (b), the police officer shall: (i) inform all such persons that they are engaged in loitering within an area in which such loitering is prohibited; (ii) order all such persons to disperse and remove themselves from within sight and hearing of the place at which the order was issued; and (iii) inform those persons that they will be subject to arrest if they fail to obey the order promptly or engage in further narcotics-related loitering within sight or hearing of the place at which the order was issued during the next eight hours.

(b) The superintendent of police shall by written directive designate areas of the city in which enforcement of this section is necessary because the areas are frequently associated with narcotics-related loitering. Prior to making a determination under this subsection, the superintendent shall consult as he or she deems appropriate with persons who are knowledgeable about the effects of narcotics-related activity in areas in which the ordinance may be enforced. Such persons may include, but need not be limited to, members of the department of police with special training or experience related to narcotics-related activity; other personnel of that department with particular knowledge of narcotics- related activities in the proposed designated area; elected and appointed officials of the area; community- based organizations; and participants in the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy who are familiar with the area. The superintendent shall develop and implement procedures for the periodic review and update of designations made under this subsection.

(c) As used in this section:

(1) Narcotics-related loitering means remaining in any one place under circumstances that would warrant a reasonable person to believe that the purpose or effect of that behavior is to facilitate the distribution of substances in violation of the Cannabis Control Act or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(2) Public place means the public way and any other location open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned.

(d) Any person who fails to obey promptly an order issued under subsection (a), or who engages in further narcotics-related loitering within sight or hearing of the place at which such an order was issued during the eight-hour period following the time the order was issued, is subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00 for each offense, or imprisonment for not more than six months for each offense, or both. A second or subsequent offense shall be punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five days imprisonment.

In addition to or instead of the above penalties, any person who violates this section may be required to perform up to 120 hours of community service pursuant to Section 1-4-120 of this Code.

(e) Upon a third or subsequent conviction for a violation of subsection (d) of this section or subsection (e) of Section 8-4-015, or any combination thereof, within any 12-month period, a court, in addition to imposing the penalties prescribed in that subsection, shall enter an order requiring the convicted person to refrain, for a mandatory period of 30 days, from narcotics-related loitering, or gang loitering as defined in Section 8-4-015, within sight and hearing of the place of the police officer’s order issued under subsection (a) which served as the basis for the person’s most recent conviction, unless circumstances strongly mandate that such period should be shorter. Such an order must be obeyed regardless of whether any additional warning or notice is given to the person. Any person who violates an order issued by a court under this subsection (e) shall be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than five days imprisonment but not more than six months imprisonment, plus a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00, for each violation. In addition to or instead of the penalties prescribed in this subsection (e), any person who violates an order issued by a court under this subsection (e) may be required to perform up to 120 hours of community service pursuant to Section 1-4-120 of this Code.

(Added Coun. J. 2-16-00, p. 25705, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 7-26-06, p. 81865, § 1)

The North Howard  Neighbors Association urges all residents to contact the Alderman's office as well as the 24th District Community Relations Office to insist that the 24th District Police do whatever is necessary to implement, invoke and enforce these laws in several designated locations North of Howard as quickly as possible.  Three suggested locations are:

1) The 1500 to 1650 blocks of W. Jonquil Terrace
2) The four corner intersection at W. Jonquil Terrace and N. Paulina
3) All 3 of our neighborhood parks (Triangle, Willye White and the Harold Washington Children's Playlot) and beaches (Howard, Rogers and Juneway). 

Comments are welcome from anyone, however, residents of the NoH neighborhood are especially urged to add their thoughts and opinions.</sup>

MORE COVERAGE ON THE 'MURDER FOR HIRE' ON JONQUIL TERRACE...

Man killed in Rogers Park had turned his life around to help others, mother says

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Criminal Courts Reporter rhussain@suntimes.com August 9, 2011 7:34AM

Updated: August 10, 2011 2:14AM

Shooting victim Lawrence Wilson 

Lawrence “Ricky” Wilson often mentored high-risk teens, hoping tales of his brief dalliance with crime would keep others out of trouble.  And when he wasn’t inspiring youth, he’d be at church, rapping or playing running back or safety for the Chi-Town Blaze semi-pro football team, family and friends said.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, Wilson, 23, was gunned down in what his mother said was a case of mistaken identity.  “He wasn’t in a gang. Not that I know of,” Jennifer Francis said after Cook County prosecutors detailed how Dyshawn Brown, the teenage gunman accused in Wilson’s murder, was handed a sawed off shotgun and offered money to kill a Gangster Disciple.  Authorities described the slaying as “gang-related.”

Francis, 50, said Wilson was on his bicycle headed to his girlfriend’s house to watch a movie when he was shot in the chest in Rogers Park.  Brown and his two Wells Academy classmates, who allegedly acted as lookouts in the shooting were charged as adults in the murder in the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace.

Judge Adam D. Bourgeois Jr. Tuesday ordered Brown held without bond. Both Devonte Lamb, 17, and Desmone Smart, 15, were ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Wilson had initially spoken with Brown and Smart when the pair struck up a conversation with him before walking away Sunday morning, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said. Brown and Smart eventually met up with Lamb and it was Lamb who waved Wilson over to a building where Brown shot him, Santini said.

Wilson, whose great, great uncle was the late journalist Les Brownlee, was an Evanston Township High School graduate and has two surviving brothers, his mother said.  Wilson had a 2008 conviction for armed robbery but was bent on turning his life around, Francis insisted.  “He made a choice,” Francis said, stressing how much Wilson loved mentoring students through the organization TRIBE — Total Resources Involving Benefits Everyone.

“If he came from a troubled background you never knew it,” Wilson’s Chi-Town Blaze coach Carlos Jones said.  "He was a great guy. He was very dedicated. He never missed any practices or games. Everybody on the team is hurting.”

FURTHER UPDATES ON JONQUIL SHOOTING.....

From The Chicago Tribune

By Jason Meisner
at 1:52 PM, August 9th,2011

Prosecutors: 3 teens killed Rogers Park man in murder-for-hire scheme

Three teenagers charged in a shotgun slaying in the Rogers Park neighborhood over the weekend had agreed to kill a rival gang member after being offered cash, prosecutors said today.

Dyshawn Brown, 16, Devonte Lamb, 17, and Desmond Smart, 15, were each charged as adults with first-degree murder in the slaying early Sunday of Lawrence Wilson, 23.  Wilson’s mother, Jennifer Francis, said outside court that her son, an Evanston Township High School graduate, worked as a youth mentor with a group called TRIBE, or Total Resources Involved in Benefiting Everyone. The group confirmed his employment.

“He had some problems in the past, but he was not a gang member,” said a tearful Francis. “He wanted to keep people away from that life.”

Prosecutors said a still-uncharged co-conspirator offered the three cash to kill a member of the rival Gangster Disciples and gave Brown a sawed-off shotgun.

• X
  
  

  Justice System
  
  

  Lawyers
  
  

  Firearms
  
  

  Defense
  
  

  Gang Activity
  
  

  Rogers Park
  
  

  Assault

After engaging Wilson in conversation in the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace, Lamb waved him over to a building where Brown was hiding, prosecutors said.

“The victim rode his bike up to the defendants, and (Brown) walked out from behind the building, pulled out the shotgun and fired it at the victim, striking him in the chest,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini.  Wilson was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was declared dead a short time later. 

Police found the shotgun while canvassing the area and arresting Smart inside his apartment in the7600 block of North Greenview Avenue, Santini said.  All three defendants attend Wells Community Academy in Chicago, according to a court-appointed defense attorney.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. denied bail for Brown and set bonds of $1 million each for Lamb and Smart.

chicagobreaking@tribune.com

From SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE                                                        
August 9, 2011 7:34AM

Three teenage boys were charged Monday afternoon with the gang-related murder of a 23-year-old man in the North Side Rogers Park neighborhood.

The identities of the juveniles were not released, but the 15-year-old, 16-year-old and 17-year-old boys were charged with one count each of first-degree murder in connection with a fatal shooting early Sunday, according to police News Affairs Officer Laura Kubiak.  Officers found a man shot at 12:48 a.m. in the chest lying on a sidewalk in the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrace, police said.  Lawrence Wilson, 23, of the 1500 block of West Juneway Terrace, was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston where he died, according to Kubiak.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office could not confirm his identity Tuesday morning, but said a man shot at the West Jonquil Terrace address was pronounced dead at the hospital 1:49 a.m.  Wilson was shot once with a shotgun, Kubiak said. The shooting is gang-related.

AN APPEAL TO MAYOR EMANUEL & SUPERINTENDANT MCCARTHY......

From: North Howard Neighbors Association [mailto:luckenbach@rcn.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2011 2:08 PM
To: 'cityfeedback@cityofchicago.org'
Cc: 'Brown, Ernest T.'; Bruce Rottner; Isidor Ramos; ward49@cityofchicago.org

Subject: An appeal to Mayor Emanuel....

Attention: Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Mr. Mayor,

As you probably know, early this morning (Sunday, August 7th at 12:48 AM) there was another shooting, resulting in death, in our neighborhood. I have lived in the North of Howard neighborhood of Rogers Park for 36 years and in the past decade violent crime has increased significantly, resulting in several deaths. This incident and others like it, is the result of the large groups (sometimes as many as 100 +) of people who are allowed to gather and congregate, drinking and drugging (usually late in the night and into the early morning hours) in and around Gale School, Willye White Park and the adjacent residential streets, where this latest shooting occurred. The neighborhood has long complained to the 24th District police that this kind of activity should not be allowed to occur at any time of day or night, with no success, certainly not in an ongoing, proactive, consistent basis. Hardly a night goes by in our community without the sound of gun shots.

We, the residents of the North of Howard community appeal to you to use your office to order that the 24th District police, specifically Beat 2422, immediately stop these kinds of gatherings and this kind of activity and not allow it to continue, period. We desperately need ‘proactive’ policing in our neighborhood!

On a related note, we also urge you to issue an order to the 24th District police that ‘gang shrines’ not be tolerated on our streets after such an incident.  Just last week we had a group of local gang bangers establish a gang shrine/memorial on the corner of N. Paulina and W. Jonquil to ‘celebrate and remember’ one of their fellow gang bangers who was shot to death 4 or so years ago. The party went on well into the early morning hours. This is completely unacceptable and we want a zero tolerance policy imitated in regard to this matter.

Please see the following post threads in our neighborhood Blog on this aspect of these incidents, between myself and a former commander of the 24th District, who stated that they do in fact tolerate ‘gang shrines’ for a limited time!

http://nhna.blogspot.com/2009/01/must-read_17.html
http://nhna.blogspot.com/2009/01/must-read_2197.html

Your assistance, action and response in regard to these matters will be greatly appreciated by all the residents of our neighborhood.

Respectfully,
Mike Luckenbach
North Howard Neighbors Association
773-465-2433

POLICE SEEK SUSPECT IN SHOOTING ON JONQUIL.....

Possible suspect in Rogers Park shooting, murder, escapes police

Posted by Timothy Fitz at 1:39 AM, Monday, August 8, 2011

7644 N. Greenview Ave. Photo: Cook County Assessor

According to several reports, a suspect wanted for murder, was hiding out in a Rogers Park apartment building. Sunday, August 7, 2011, around 8:40 p.m., authorities attempted to apprehend three suspects at 7644 North Greenview Avenue.  Police took two men into custody, but a third suspect escaped. The third suspect was identified as a black man named Devonte Lamb.

Although this information has not been confirmed, it is my understanding that Lamb is wanted for allegedly shooting and killing a 50-year-old man on the 1500 block of West Jonquil Terrance, early Sunday morning.

During the arrest at the North Greenview apartment, authorities recovered a weapon; possibly the gun used in the Rogers Park homicide. Lamb is approximately 5'9", 200 pounds, has a very dark complexion, and his hair was styled in an Afro. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt.

If you know where Devonte Lamb is, please contact the police, immediately.
Copyright © 2011 - Chicago News Report.

NoH TEEN BADLY BEATEN MONDAY EVENING....

A North of Howard teen was badly beaten Monday evening on his way home from school.   The attack and robbery took place at Jonquil and Ashland, directly under the 'blue-light' police camera at that intersection.   Read the full story here: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/09/whitney-young-high-school-student-victim-of-rogers-park-robbery.html

MUST READ

Here's an excellent post/commentary from

'24/7 North of Howard Watchers'. 

Thanks for "telling it like it is", Toni!

Close the Loophole: Help Close the Gun Show Loophole. Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Criminals.

Close the Loophole: Help Close the Gun Show Loophole. Keep Guns Out of the Hands of Criminals.

UNBELIEVEABLE!

"Two years probation.", Judge John J. Fleming.

Remember the name when it comes time to vote for retention!

MUST READ

When does 'it' end and where is the outrage?

BREAKING NEWS NOH

At approximately 6:45 A.M. this morning a Chicago Police squad on a routine check at the Howard Street Red Line Station spotted a trail of blood. They followed the trail up Paulina to the Harold Washington Memorial Playlot where they found the above scene. Someone obviously sat on the bench and attempted to stop the bleeding of what would appear to be a significant wound. At this time, it is not known who the 'victim' is or what the circumstances are. At about 7:10 A.M. a radio dispatch said a person located at the Loyola Red Line Station was bleeding and in need of medical attention. At this time, it is not confirmed whether the incidences are related. Whatever the situation proves to be, the Police Officers involved deserve 'kudos' for their alertness and a job well done.

TAX DAY MUST READ

"One wonders if Phil Gramm has been made just a tad nervous by the news on Tuesday that one of UBS’ super-wealthy private clients has pleaded guilty to tax evasion. That’s the second case in two weeks involving the bank at which the former senator is a vice chairman, and 100 other clients are under investigation for possible bank-assisted tax fraud. ..........."

"But then again, if you are Phil Gramm or his wife, Wendy, you might expect to get away with a great deal in the way of financial machinations. After all, neither has ever been held legally responsible for the Enron debacle, in which the Gramms played a major part. .........."

Read the full article here!

The Truth About Today's 'Tea Party' Protest

"Fake Teabaggers Are Anti-Spend, Anti-Government: Real Populists Want to Stop Banks from Plundering America"

Here is the real truth about who and what is behind today's 'Tea Party' protests!

MUST READ FROM PARADE MAGAZINE

Why We Must Fix Our Prisons

(Why we must change the law)
By Senator Jim Webb
Publication Date: 03/29/2009

"America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace. Its irregularities and inequities cut against the notion that we are a society founded on fundamental fairness.".....

"Justice statistics also show that 47.5% of all the drug arrests in our country in 2007 were for marijuana offenses. Additionally, nearly 60% of the people in state prisons serving time for a drug offense had no history of violence or of any significant selling activity. Indeed, four out of five drug arrests were for possession of illegal substances, while only one out of five was for sales. Three-quarters of the drug offenders in our state prisons were there for nonviolent or purely drug offenses. And although experts have found little statistical difference among racial groups regarding actual drug use, African-Americans--who make up about 12% of the total U.S. population--accounted for 37% of those arrested on drug charges, 59% of those convicted, and 74% of all drug offenders sentenced to prison." .....

To read the entire article link here!

MUST READ-RePost

In case you missed them, here are a couple of articles from this past weeks' Chicago Journal/News Star, reporting on the 24th District's 'Howard Street Initiative' and the Howard Street situation in general.

"Crackdown On Howard" & "Quality of Life"

MUST READ

" 'Stop snitching' culture is for cowards only...."
Leonard Pitts

ANOTHER CRIMINAL OFF OUR STREETS!

Rogers Park man is charged in November robbery of Chase Bank branch
FBI says Rogers Park man is a suspect in another bank heist
Tribune staff report
January 23, 2009
A Rogers Park man was arrested and charged with robbing a Northwest Side bank in November, authorities announced Thursday. Bogdan Lungu, 23, of the 1000 block of West Pratt Boulevard was arrested last week after being charged with the Nov. 17 robbery of a Chase Bank branch at 5813 N. Milwaukee Ave., the FBI said in a news release. Lungu walked into the bank around noon that day and handed a teller a note, announcing a robbery and demanding money, according to the FBI. After getting about $5,000, he fled onto Milwaukee Avenue and became lost in the crowd.He already was in Cook County Jail on unrelated charges when he was identified as the robbery suspect.
Lungu, who was ordered held without bail at a federal court hearing on a felony count of bank robbery, is also suspected of holding up another Chase Bank at 7015 N. Western Ave. on Dec. 3, the FBI said. If convicted of the November robbery, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

MUST READ

'GANG SHRINES' AND THE 24th POLICE DISTRICT

In regard to the crime situation in our community, I want to relate the following to all 49th Ward residents:
I attended a meeting last night (Friday, Jan.16th) as a member of the NoH Parks' Advisory Council's Security Committee. In addition to Chicago Park District personnel (program, facilities and security), Sargent John Delgado, 24th District, was in attendance. When the subject of 'gang shrines' came up, Sgt. Delgado informed us that it was the 'policy' of the 24th District to allow 'gang shrines' to remain, in place on public property, for up to 48 hours. I was dumbfounded by this revelation, as I'm sure all law abiding RP residents will be. I strongly voiced my objection to this 'policy' as completely absurd and ridiculous on a number of levels, from enabling and glorifying to coddling the gang lifestyle and activity in our community. This 'attitude'/policy is a serious affront to our residents and our community. It should be OFFICIALLY discontinued immediately. There must be ZERO tolerance to glorification or tolerance of ANY gang activity, period, particularly on the part of our 24th District Police officers. I intend to pursue this matter further, with STRONG objections, to Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, 24th District Commander David Sobczyk, as well as 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. I strongly urge ALL residents of our community to do the same.
Voice your feelings and opinion to:

police@cityofchicago.org
jody.weis@chicagopolice.org
David.Sobczyk@chicagopolice.org
ward49@cityofchicago.org

COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE

There will be a Rogers Park

Town Hall Meeting on Public Safety ,

Monday, November 24th,

7:00 p.m., at the United Church of Rogers Park,

1545 W. Morse (at Ashland).

The meeting will feature:

24th District Police Commander Steve Caluris,

Alderman Joe Moore, State Senator Heather Steans and State Representative Harry Osterman.

MUST READ

The following link, Gang and Drug House Reporting Form PDF , will give you a simple form to complete and an e-mail address for the Chicago Police to report gang-banger, drug and/or other criminal activity in buildings on your block and in your neighborhood. Everyone is urged to use this to report such activities. If enough people do this, it may force the authorities and property owners to take proactive measures to improve our quality of life in Rogers Park! Anyone who would like to, may forward a copy of their report to: luckenbach@rcn.com, and have it placed in our Rogers Park Crime Report Folder. Are you listening/reading NorthPoint and others who are responsible (directly & indirectly) for much of the illegal activity in our neighborhoods?