Crime rates keep plummeting in Beat 2312, but prostitutes have been working the afternoon rush hour, flagging down cars driven by lone males near the corner of Leland of Sheridan. “Crime is really down on this beat due to community walks, CAPS and police really being up here,” Sgt. Beth Giltmier reported.
The Top Ten
Simple battery – 8
Domestic batter – 6
Death investigations -4
Missing persons – 3
Theft over $300 – 3
Possession of crack – 3
Theft under $300 – 2
Criminal defacement of property – 2
Theft from building – 2
Manufacturing/delivery of crack 2
Possession of cannabis 30 grams or less – 2
Telephone threats – 2
Criminal trespass to land – 2
May 19 to June 16, 2009
Old issues
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A resident who lives on Lakeside Place asked if a transaction between a prostitute and a john needs to be taking place before calling 911. The resident said that while watering outside his house he noticed a prostitute working the corner of Leland and Sheridan during the afternoon rush hour between 5 and 6 p.m. He described her as a black female wearing “very tight clothing and little shorts.” If suspected prostitutes are blocking pedestrian access on the sidewalk or flagging down cars driven by lone males to call 911 of the 23rd District CAPS office. And, no, a transaction does not need to be taking place before calling the police.
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Since the police camera was installed on the troublesome corner of Lawrence and Sheridan last month, there has been less criminal activity. Residents reported that criminal activity does not appear to have shifted to Lakeside Place.
New issues
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Twenty-third District court advocates have been attending housing court appearances for the building facing 1001-1013 W. Leland and 4654-4660 N. Sheridan. The building is owned by Samuel Alexander and has numerous building code violations. Last month, Alexander’s attorney did not show up in court due to illness.
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“The building with the flood” at 1014-1036 W. Leland is not in housing court yet, despite ceiling cave-ins on the first floor. Neighbors have been e-mailing the Chicago Corporation Counsel to get the building in housing court. The building is also for sale. “The owners [of both buildings] know we’re persistent and that we’ll show up in court,” said Richard Thale, Beat 2312 facilitator and chair of the 23rd District court advocacy committee.
The next CAPS Beat 2312 meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 21 at Cafe Too, 4715 N. Sheridan.
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The prostitutes used to hang on Leland & Sheridan early in the morning, like 6am. I guess they’ve moved their trade to a later time. Keep calling 911 people — they’ll soon learn that selling themselves on OUR corners lands them in lock-up.
Perhaps along the same lines, I’ve noticed an uptick in crack dealers and sellers near that corner as well.
What happened to the good old days of having under-cover cops planted in these hot spots and busting them until they are gone. As I drive by I see plenty and I do call 911 but unless the cops see it too when they drive up its not going to solve alot other then they know patrols are being done…………..
Lorraine, why don’t you do a story on Chicago’s vacant building ordinance? ( Vacant Building Ordinance (13-12-125 to 145 ). The city has special rules for vacant buildings, including requirements for the owner to register the vacant building with the city; pay registration fees; undergo recurring property inspections; post ownership / contact signage; meet 6-month or permanent board-up requirements; meet nusaince abatement requirements for the building, the lot, and the parkways; undergo special inspections in response to 311 calls that flag the call as related to a vacant property.
Citizens can use the city’s 311 online or phone system to file police incident reports related to the property (for children, homeless, or criminals using the property and other public nuisances related to health, fire or safety hazards. This all builds the case file to come down harder on the property owner in court.
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One can access a database about all Chicago vacant buildings online at:
City of Chicago’s website http://www.cityofchicago.org
under the Dept of Building’s section, at the underlying vacant building’s link.
At that website citizens can read the ordinance, report vacant buildings to the city, and search for vacant buildings by ward / police district / community / case #’s / 311 tracking number.
For a particular vacant particular property, citizens can view alot of data about that property including ownership info, past and furture court actions, history of 311 calls, history of inspections and findings, code violations, contractors registered as working on the property, permits issued, demo track, etc.
Within the police department, each district also has an assigne abandoned buildings officer or neighborhood relations staffer who should be dealing with these problems.
Here are some current Uptown facts:
An example of a building in permanent board-up is 4720 N. Clarendon
An example of a building forced to plywood board-up an open access point is 750 W. Montrose
46th Ward Vacant Buildings appearing on the Vacant building database include: 1424 W ARGYLE ST, 4460 N BROADWAY, 4906 N CLARK ST, 4637 N DOVER ST, 4637 N DOVER ST, 3709 N FREMONT ST, 1000 W LELAND AVE, 1018 W LELAND AVE, 1020 W LELAND AVE, 1024 W LELAND AVE, 1137 W LELAND AVE, 750 W MONTROSE AVE, 1025 W SUNNYSIDE AVE.
48th Ward Vacant Buildings appearing in the Vacant building database include: 4753 N BROADWAY, 1250 W HOOD AVE, 5684 N RIDGE AVE, 5052 N WINTHROP AVE, 5054 N WINTHROP AVE, 5416 N WINTHROP AVE, 5434 N WINTHROP AVE, 5731 N WINTHROP AVE
How can it be said that “crime rates keep plummeting”? “Keep” implies that this has been a steady downward trend, which it has not. As for the prostitutes, they have technically made the crime rate skyrocket, if the implication of this story is correct. Think about it: Although the rate of occasional violent crime may have gone down (by what, two or three per quarter?), those prostitutes are literally committing hundreds of “crimes” every day that they are working the streets. Every solicitious “Hey Mister” or waving down of a motorist is an illegal act. The phrase “but prostitutes have been working the afternoon rush hour” implies that this activity has recently increased. It seems safe to say that more illegal acts of selling sex services on the streets of Uptown every afternoon outnumber a month’s worth of shootings, robberies and criminal sexual assault combined. So, are crime rates really plummeting? Or are some activities, such as the prostitution and solicitation reported on here, just not being counted?
I live just off of the Leland/Sheridan ‘hot spot’ and illegal activity has certainly increased on this corner. Just this week, I have already called the cops three times. First, there was a drug exchange b/w 3 men in the alley b/w Sheridan and Kenmore. They were blocking the alley as I was trying to drive thru coming home from work (~5:30PM). I honked the horn and yelled at them then called the cops with a description of the individuals. But, I didn’t see any cop cars come by. The very next day when I was coming home from my morning workout (~7:05AM) there was a known prostitute sitting on the corner of Sheridan and Leland that my husband called the cops on at 6AM but she was still working that corner when we returned home at 7AM. Then as we pulled into the same alley mentioned above, there was a woman smoking crack next to the dumpster. We rolled down the window & yelled that we saw what she’s doing. Then we called the cops and followed her. She walked right into the building you mentioned above (owned by Samuel Alexander), 1001-1013 W. Leland and 4654-4660 N. Sheridan and continued to smoke the crack inside that doorway. Why isn’t there a lock on that door? The most frustrating part is that we gave a very clear description of the woman and which direction she was walkign in; however, we never saw any cops arrive. I walked my dog immediately afterwards and saw her walking South on Sheridan with the same prostitute we called the cops on eariler then I saw her hanging out in front of the S & L Pantry eating some chips (crackhead brkfst) shortly afterwards. When we’ve called the cops in the past, we’ve gotten extremely fast responses. I can’t help but notice that there are less cops in the area since summer started and this is the busiest time of year for crime in our area. Let me know if there is something else I should be doing here to get these prostitutes and drug addicts out of my backyard & behind bars!
Yes the prostitutes did move from Leland and Sheridan because when they were building my penthouse, I temporarily lived on the 4th floor and had a pool put out on the patio. Every time I saw a prostitute, I’d dig a bucket of water out and pour it on them 24/7. There were no patio separations yet between the units so I poured water on them from the full length of the building and I used my garden hose to get the ones across the street. After a year, they finally left and moved over to Broadway by Wilson Yards.
That extra nasty skin-tight dressed drag queen hooker the other day is that Black goof-ball from the nut hospital who usually dresses in a flashy Micheal Jackson look or in Army Fatigues. He goes drag about twice a year and I guess needed money. Unfortunately he chose our building to be cutesy in front of. If I see him again when coming home from work; I’ll tell him that I’ll report him to his nut-house and that he could loose his SSI support to house him there.
Well there are definitely more of us than there are of them — for now — so keep calling 911. I appreciate the other kenmore resident’s vigilance. It’s absolutely disgusting. I will not let this happen to my formerly “safe” street.
I am truly shocked by the responses I read here about all of the prostitutes around Leland. Have any of you been hurt by these people? Because you all talk like they have offended you personally. I have always found the residents of Chicago to be very open and accepting of the people around them – no matter what their social or economic status is. I have walked along Leland at all times of the day for over a year now, and even if there are prostitutes and crack dealers hanging out on the corner, they don’t bother me. So, I won’t bother them. I have even had my car broken into by one of these women, and I didn’t even call the cops – I am smart enough to know that they have bigger problems to worry about! Thank goodness for her it wasn’t the above woman who has nothing better to do than call the cops every 30 minutes because she sees someone on the street. (Don’t you have anything to do that would better serve your time? How about volunteering at one of the shelters around our area so you can come to understand why some of these people are in the situation they are in?) I am a young, white professional woman who thankfully knows that not everyone can be young, white and professional. But I do know that I won’t judge these people, or refer to someone as a “extra nasty skin-tight dressed drag queen hooker.” I have more pity for you then I have for him! At least he’s being what he wants to be and not a close-minded jerk. And as for chips (crackhead brkfst) … I’m a vegan, and every once in a while, I’ll crave some Lays. I guess that makes me a terrible person. Grow up yuppies. Do some good. Stop judging. Or move out of Uptown. It’s that simple. Wrigleyville awaits you.
Five 0 on a poll must be wroking
“UptownGirl” to answer to your comment “have you been hurt by these people”, yes, I have been hurt by these people b/c I have to constantly worry about my safety in my own neighboorhood. We all know that drugs and prostitution are the things that lead to the shootings in our neighborhood. Luckily I haven’t been shot, but others have and that is UNACCEPTABLE! I will continue to try to protect myself and others. I don’t think giving the people that are breaking the law a free meal is the answer. The free meals should be reserved for law abiding citizens who have fallen on rough times. In fact, I believe I’m helping criminals by calling the cops on them. Hopefully, jail will help them reach their rock bottom so they can start living a lawful life. Also, the great part about being American is that everyone has a chance to be a young professional. Ignoring crimes is NOT the answer to a thriving diverse community. By not calling the cops on a criminal, you are encouraging their behavior and that women will continue to break into cars. I’m sorry that doesn’t bother you. Luckily, you have the money to fix your car when it’s broken into, but what about people who don’t have that luxury? Thanks to you not reporting that crime someone else will pay for it.
Uptown Girly,
Yah, after extreme success, I spose I’m yuppish with a garbage mouth. I actually enjoy looking down from my penthouse and we’ve name all the characters, Michael Jackson, Mr. Peanut (or nasty tights), Clown Pants etc. My sister was even in one of the nut-houses (although it was upscalish, at the time, on Marine Drive) and It makes for amusing viewing from above (and all are harmless). They say gangs are in the hood but I’ve never seen one in all the years I’ve lived here (Perhaps the doormen kept them away). The prostitutes were ridiculous. They kept outdoing themselves as to who could have the fattest/biggest butt. Ive never seen such gargantuan booties (except for big bird, her butt was lifted up so high it was attached to her neck) and am thankful I never had to walk behind one as I’m sure those booties were a smellin too.
And if you don’t like it, you move. I was born and raised in uptown (this is our family’s neighborhood since 1950) and we were one of the first poor, minority families to move in on Kenmore when the neighborhood was Jewish/Anglo Saxon. You’re the cranky one and needs to go or get over it and lighten up.
Even in a bad real estate market, we’ve done nothing but brought higher value and “family values” to our neighborhood.
I like the juxtaposition of looking out and seeing unobstructed views of the lake, the loop skyline and the western united center then look down and see clown pants pissing.
I’m far from closed-minded silly girl (or are you really a bitter old bag in disguise) and am very friendly and know a tremendous amount of neighbors throughout our hood including clown pants.
Enjoy the summer and eat something sweet Ms Uptown Sour. Uptown is just great with all the new (and nice) establishments plus the lakefront. Perhaps you’ll join us to enjoy some saki at Agami’s then shake our booties off at The Wilde Pig and finish off the night laughing our booties off at the Annoyance Theatre. Then suntan on our boat in Montrose Harbor. Man I love Uptown!
Bye Bye for now
Hi. The 23rd is an interesting district. If you are interested in finding out what is going on after you call, get a scanner and listen to zone 2 for CPD. Contrary to what the police might tell you, owning and using a scanner for entertainment only is NOT against the law. Take a listen. Sometimes you will be happy. And other times you will wonder if the police even took your call.
I love how I am the one referred to as “sour” simply because I questioned how all of you were referring to other HUMAN BEINGS. I don’t want to move out of Uptown. I love Uptown … and ALL the people in it. And just to clarify something, I didn’t have the money to get my car fixed when it was broken into. The window is still broken … but I just got over it! Stop the hate, people.
You bet, doll will do (I don’t ever remember a time in my life when I actually hated someone, that’s such a strong assumption). Have fun and I enjoy your comments
Those of you who wish to debate the wrongfulness of “criminalizing” prostitution need to take your debate to a city council or Illinois legislature and discuss it there. Stop debating the law within the Uptown neighborhood because a neighborhood has no authority to change the law. A neighborhood can only apply the laws it is given and the police and the alderman cannot opt out their neighborhood at their own discretion. No way. There are 7th Circuit court cases that say exactly that to those who have tried.
So, stop trying to opt-ou Uptown, and Uptown alone, from the laws and municipal ordiances that apply to each and every other neighborhood in the city. Stop villianizing the people of Uptown, who only expect that the one and only Chicago Municipal Code and Illinois Combined Statues get enforced in the Uptown community. That does not make Uptowners cruel. That makes them them average citizens.
Nicely said UptownGal!