Greater Grand Crossing/Park Manor Residents say Enough is Enough.

Residents and community leaders met Monday evening with the Mayor, local Alderman, City officials and Superintendent of Police Monday evening to address the recent mass shooting and other incidents of violence and lawlessness in the Great Grand Crossing neighborhood.  The residents who live near the 75^th Restaurant row have complained for weeks of enormous crowds, pop up parties and unruly behavior occurring in the early morning hours during the weekend.

Residents were concerned that these unruly incidents would lead to violence and their fears were realized last weekend when ten people were shot, one critically when two men opened fire around 2am on 75^th and prairie. The business district has seen a revitalization recently.  The 75^th Street Boardwalk on Restaurant Row was recently awarded a 2021 Chicago Neighborhood Development award.  Business owners and entrepreneurs with community support have worked tirelessly to bring new businesses and economic development to the community.

However, as the city has begun to reopen and with the warmer weather residents have complained about an increased amount of negative activity in the wee hours of the mornings. From drunkenness, public urination, sex on resident’s lawns, drag racing in alleys, and fireworks thrown in their yards and more, residents have pressed the Alderman, Mayor and Police department for answers to address their concerns.

The Greater Grand Crossing community is filled with hard working, tax paying and active block clubs that pride themselves on being unified in one mission; to create a safe place to live and dine.   6^th Ward Alderman, Roderick Sawyer, who also lives near where the shooting took place said, “These attacks on 75th Street or anywhere in our communities are unacceptable. “We have been working hard to rebuild 75th Street as a thriving business corridor, and the community is committed to this vision. These past nights will not undo years of hard work and business development.”

The meeting also allowed residents to speak with members of community policing and sign up with their local CAPS team to become more involved. Local business owners from Francis Cocktail lounge, Brown Sugar Bakery and A&S liquors also came out in support of keeping the community safe. When asked his thoughts, Francis Cocktail lounge owner, Marlon Mitchell stressed his business wants no part of the partying that was occurring in the streets.  He was forced to close his establishment when patrons could not enter the bar due to the street closures.  He wants the lawlessness to stop because it not only hurts the residents in the community but the local businesses just reopening after COVID-19 shut them down. Mitchell said partygoers were getting dropped off in the neighborhood, setting up grills, radios, and coolers forcing his establishment to shut down.  “They aren’t supporting the businesses out here. We are not down with any of this.  You cannot blame this on the businesses here. We don’t condone any of this.”

Residents say they are committed to protecting their neighborhood, their property and their peace.

 

Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago.  Find her on social media @DanieSanders20.