This story has me pissed!
Over the past few days, there have been 7 random attacks in these Chicago neighborhoods. Reports say that anywhere from 3-6 random men are responsible for the various beatings, where the victims are mugged and violently attacked.
This just SUCKS!
Unfortunately, this story hits home with me for a few reasons:
1. I live here. I basically live on the border of the Lincoln Park & Lakeview neighborhoods.
2. Many times I go to the gym later at night, which leaves me walking home around 10:30-11pm. I also run the lakefront path in the later evenings at times...and although I do not run with my wallet or anything of much value, I don't want to have to start worrying about being ambushed.
3. I know one of the victims. A friend of mine was brutally attacked late Sunday night. He was hit in the head & face with a brick and brass knuckles, ending up in the hospital. He had to get 10 stitches in his lip, has a gash in his head, bruised and sore all over.
Like I said...This gets me pissed!
My initial response to the situation is:
"You Goddamn Motherf*ckers! You low-life scum of the earth! GO back to wherever you came from! I hope you are caught and punished heavily, you f*cking pieces of shit! Karma's a bitch and I hope you get everything that's coming to you, f*cking assholes!
Sorry if that seems harsh...
But it's my initial reaction.
Look...when my safety...and the safety of my friends...is threatened, it is not something that I take lightly. I should not have to worry about getting attacked while walking on my own street.
Now...
After taking a step back, and pausing to breathe for a minute, I want to try to rationalize why a person would do something like this?
The therapist in me wonders, 'What would cause a person to disregard someone else's life so much that it leads to brutal, physical violence? I mean...clearly these attackers have no conscience, right?
There must be a reason. Maybe they grew up with terrible childhoods and lived out extremely bad situations. OR...maybe they had great upbringings, and when forced to make it on their own they couldn't deal with the pressure.
Something happened along the way to cause morals and values to go out the window.
So...after thinking about it, and taking a step back to rationalize why a person would possibly do something like this, I have come to this conclusion:
Those people are the scum of the earth. I hope these assholes get found out and justice is served!
I hate to say that, but look...We've all faced tough situations in life. I don't know about you, but I've had my share of rain, and I have been making it through.
I grew up with a rough childhood, I've been kicked down, and still continue to get kicked down by many...but I can't imagine violently attacking someone. I have been to the point where I've felt so hopeless, and so low that I would have LOVED to have punched a few people in the face, but random attacks on strangers?...for pleasure? No way!
That thought wouldn't even cross my mind!
It's just such a sad situation.
So to the attackers: I hope you are getting some kind of sick pleasure out of it now, because it's only temporary. In the long run, hopefully you will get caught & punished, and you will look back asking yourself why you were so stupid! Even if you don't get caught, you will have to live with yourself and the karma you just brought upon you. I hope you get help for your sick, twisted minds.
In the meantime, please...PLEASE...leave me and my neighbors alone.
That's really awful. Luckily I live in a pretty safe neighborhood. Hopefully your community will stand up.
ReplyDeleteDon't know much about Chi neighborhoods, but I hope the police start to ramp up their presence there. I hate thugs!
ReplyDeleteThe Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods are pretty safe, affluent neighborhoods. That's why this story is starting to get a lot of traction. Many people move here because it's pleasant and generally safe.
ReplyDeleteI hope those bastards rot in hell!
ReplyDeleteThank you for covering this important topic. The more aware we all are, the better off we will be.
ReplyDeleteHelp take action today and log a complaint to Alderman Tunney at 773-525-6034, Mayor Daley at 312-744-3300.
ReplyDeleteOr of equal importance, please attend the monthly CAPS meeting tonight Wednesday, Aug 5th at 7:00 at Nookies to show your concern/support.
I hear you, Paul. Sometimes the hardest part is waiting for that karma train to circle back around. So sorry for all the victims and hopefully people will band together and get involved to stop this bulls***. Pretty annoyed I feel the need late at night to walk with my car keys sticking out between my fingers "just in case"...
ReplyDeleteYup. I hope they catch these guys. What a bunch of cowards.
ReplyDeleteThis story has me worried also. I live in the Lakeview area and I usually go to the FFC on Halsted. I usually go early in the morning (around 4:30am) and if I would have went on Monday I would have walked right past where the attack took place.
ReplyDeleteDue to this I have avoided going to the gym in the morning hours. However before all of this started to happen I would notice kids on the streets not really doing anything just hanging out in packs and the police were no where to be around.
I agree with you Paul where these neighborhoods are safe for the most part but I think that's when we let our guards down and things like this happen.
Remember a few years ago when several women got raped in the area and there was a huge out cry about it also.
It really does suck to feel that we need to alter our routines because of fear.
ReplyDeleteI hope these guys get caught soon.
Get some pepper spray in the meantime...my pereference is the one that stains the attackers purple so police can find them later!
ReplyDeleteThis is just awful. I wish for safety and blessings upon you and your neighborhood Paul.
ReplyDeletePepper Spray is an excellent idea. I think I will stop and pick some up. Thanks, Anna!
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel Paul but remember anger usually fuels more anger and that is usually a very bad thing. This situation needs to be assimilated into how we who live in a city in sour times now carry ourselves. Poor economic climates historically lead to piss poor behaviors in urban areas.
ReplyDeleteBoystown has been bubble culture for a very long time and for that I am personally very thankful for. But we can NOT let these events bind us in torch and pitchfork mobs. I went to college in Philly which has a reputation for being the "City of Brotherly Shove". I was proud of the city but I knew it had it's equal parts of shade. Chicago has always shocked me with the civility of it's streets and my guard has been down for too long apparently. So stay alert and aware, use the gift of fear, and learn anything you can about walking on the mean streets. Don't let fear and anger dictate your next steps my friend.
Where does one go to buy Pepper Spray?
ReplyDeleteCrime sucks. Stay active. Don't let them win by their actions.
ReplyDeleteYou can get pepper spray at some Walgreens. You can also pick some up at Army/Vacy surplus stores...or police supply stores.
ReplyDeleteControl those south siders who come to center of halsted and thrown out on the street when it's closed at night... I don't go to their neighborhood and I don't want them in mine!
ReplyDeleteI would be pretty pissed too. By the way, there was a blurb on this story in our morning paper too. Must be big news.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can blame those "south siders" no one knows where these individuals are from so saying that is opening up a different subject which should not matter here (and yes I'm talking about race).
ReplyDeleteHowever I would say their needs to be a greater police patrols in the area especially around the Center on Halsted once they closed. Plus I'm sure some of those kids are not of the age where they are allowed to be out a 3am. What happened to the curfew law that is suppose to be in Chicago. Oh and I find it hard to believe that none of these attacks were caught by any of the "blue lights" that are up and around multiple neighborhoods in the city.
Check out this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1701713,cabbie-cops-attackers-lakeview-080509.article
2 men were captured for an early morning beating today. They were using a chain that is used to tow cars. Ridiculous.
some scary shit Paul
ReplyDeleteI don't think the "south siders" are to blame. That seemingly puts a racial slant on the matter that is inappropriate. I also think the issue transcends mental deficiency and is an indicator of tough financial times where people are desperate.
ReplyDeleteI think it is the "South Siders" as we are calling them. Race or not, we know the ones that loiter outside apt buildings or in the 7-11 parking lot. They seem to come out at night but never once step foot into any bar or spend their money in the community.
ReplyDeleteI just read in the Tribune that one of the guys caught was dressed as woman with make-up, dress, purse, etc. We've probably walked by this "South Side" tranny countless times.
Oh and I too have walked home many times with my keys between my fingers. And I always look behind me about every 20 steps.
ReplyDeleteFrom that article..."...the attack of the Irish man by what he described as two men in their early 20s, including a black make and another man who may have been either black or Hispanic..."
ReplyDeleteAnd, as a resident of Lakeview, I know for a fact that most of the building associations are already gathering to find a solution to that matter of Center of Halsted, since there have been vandalizing of properties, as well as reports of safety issues by the residents...
I can see a very good connection between the current incidents and Center of Halsted.
If I have to change my routines, have to walk to/from home afraid of getting attacked and if 90% of the time the people who get caught are black or hispanic...I am sorry but it becomes a race issue, and I agree with the person who used the description "south siders" and I too would not want them in my neighborhood. Turn on the news and pay attention to the crime stories on a daily basis, that will give you a good idea of why people start this whole race/crime issue right away.
ReplyDeleteThat cab driver is my hero! I can't imagine what was going through his mind. It's great to have people like him in this world.
ReplyDeleteOMG! This is on the North side? Ewww.
ReplyDeleteI agree...that cab driver needs to be rewarded!
ReplyDeleteI think what needs to happen is have a "No Loitering" policy along Halsted and down Belmont. Having police enforce this would help deter a bit of the problems (harassment, muggings, vandalism, etc). The neighborhood is too expensive to feel unsafe and have a chance of being put in the hospital because somebody's welfare check isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteI don't want this to be about race either, but I live in the area, frequently walk down Halsted from the FFC and for whatever reason, the past 6-8 months I've felt a different crowd hanging on the streets. I've wondered what may have caused this, and they haven't necessarily done anything to me, except for this one time when it had snowed, there was a group of about 8 who were carrying on across the street. I was minding my own business, when a snowball hit me. I looked over, gave them a glare, and saw them do it to other people. Generally, I'm the type to say something, but I was scared of this group. We don't know if these attacks are caused by those kids related to the center or not, but I agree with everyone else that the residents of this neighborhood (or any other) should not feel threatened and scared. And what kills me is that the police station is literally 4 blocks away on Addison.
ReplyDeleteIt always come down to race. Every person who was attacked was white.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece as always Paul. Regardless of the harshness it was all warranted and mimics my feelings as well. Keep up your great work and charm. Now c'mon CPD let's get these f-ing lunatics!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that most of you feel as though this issue comes down to race. I live in Lakeview and I'm not white so does that mean I don't belong there?
ReplyDeleteI agree there are a bunch of kids on the street all night long that should not be there however I've seen all types black, white, cross dressers etc.. so to just try and blame it on a select group in my opinion is unfair and small minded. However I agree with Sarah with the police station so close you would think that they would be patrolling the area more often.
They are patrolling the area, just look at expired parking meters between 8:30-9pm M-F
ReplyDeleteNo one says a particular race should be abondoned. But when you look at the facts and stories and incidents, it comes down to a certain group of people loitering in this specific area. I am not white either and I live in lakeview and I for one am truly ashamed and embarrassed when I see those specific groups' actions and what kind of reactions they're receiving.
ReplyDeleteAgain, it's not about race. However, I will tell you this, it is about living in a big city, and if you can't adjust yourself to the norms and to the flow of the dynamics, you're not welcome.
I am also not white but I too see a certain group of people who seem to be at the center of it all. I am not saying all are this way but you can't help but feel a bit uneasy when there is a group of 10-12 being loud and unruly and you're walking by yourself.
ReplyDeleteI live on Aldine between Clark and Halsted and also walk to FFC every morning around 6am. I would have walked very close by the attack on Monday morning at the end of Buckingham. In the last few weeks, I've seen drug deals parked outside of my condo on Aldine at like 2am where the windows are down, people are smoking and my BF and I can clearly see people coming up to the car, chatting, and then leaving. We've called the police about this but the car pulled away before they arrived. Lastly, I see a HUGE crowd coming out of steamworks in the morning - many trannies -- walking back to the el at 5am or 6am and I often times get yelled at "HEY YOU, YOU ARE HOT COME HERE" which honestly makes me start to run to the gym.
ReplyDeleteThis has gotten MUCH worse in the last 6-9 months. I completely agree with the other folk's sentiments.
Not only there, I've had damage done to my car parked in my space in the alley, I've seen folks jumping fences on Aldine and stealing things out of people's yards (these were Church people from the outreach program. I've already complained to the church they need to move their outreach program to some other time than Sat night at 8pm).
I have also seen a lot of folks hanging around Aldine and Halsted both late at night and in the morning -- these are folks that clearly don't live here and you see them sometimes coming out of allies, etc.
ReplyDeleteThen I see all these stories about the attacks and I am fed up.
I'm honestly getting ready to walk down to the police station and plead with them to get more police in the area at night and in the morning. I NEVER see any police early in the morning or at night.
In general, I've seen a HUGE influx of folks in the neighborhood who clearly don't live here. I'm really curious why they are here and just hanging around.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Grant!I hope this is a wake-up call for the police to ramp up their presence in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I've walked home late at night, and in front of the 7-11 on Broadway & Barry it is common to see 2 to3 squad cars parked outside, with the officers inside just hanging out, eating, drinking, etc. Hopefully, this will encourage them to stay out on patrol longer.
I hope you all attended to meeting that took place at Nookies last night. I must admit I was there and the most I heard were people complaining.
ReplyDeleteFor the most part most of the people insisted that the problem started because of the Center on Halsted however like others have said I've seen multiple people hanging around the area all over.
I've also seen the police hanging out in the 7-11 parking lot on Halsted and Roscoes.
Oh and I overheard two guys talking about how I (or maybe it was someone else) talking about how we were going to get some pepper spray and they said what good is that going to do they are going to get a gun... My thought on that is a gun in my opinion won't solve the problem just make it worst, and if it was you that made the comment I'm sure you know who I am as I looked at you after you made the comment to your friend walking out the door.
Paul I'll like to thank you for this topic it started a lot of conversation however I hope the people that are posting on here and live in the area do more then talk I hope they take action and take back our neighborhood.
First, race has everything to do with this. This is Chicago. This is about black/hispanic thugs beating up on white men they presume to be gay and easy prey. To pretend it isn't, is foolish and misguided. The black and hispanic communities are enemies of the gay community. All the proof you need is in two words: Proposition 8.
ReplyDeleteSecond, just move. Boystown lost "it" as soon as those pylons went up. Bridezilla parties, baby strollers, valet parking? Now the Center on Halsted serves the community by providing a "safe haven" for ghetto trash. No thank you. I moved to Mandersonville in 2005 and have not been back to Boystown except for the parade and market days. Don't miss it at all, especially since Hamburger Mary's has a cocktail bar while Nookies does not. I suggest you all do the same because your situation, no matter what you do, will not change. Halsted has developed terminal cancer.
Bob