Ex-Offenders Give Crime Tips

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by Lesley R. Chinn

A group of ex-offenders came in peace recently before a packed audience at St. Dorothy Church to tell residents how to crime proof their homes as well as their neighborhoods during a CAPS crime solutions meeting. The ex-offenders previously served time for burglary, drug possession and sales, and gang activity. They had an open dialogue with residents about how to crime proof their communities, starting with their homes.

The ex-offenders, who came from stable, middle-income families, told the residents how they target homes in communities like Chatham and others that seem like easy targets for break-ins. They said oftentimes residents leave their windows and doors unlocked and curtains opened. The individuals warned residents to keep their windows and doors locked and curtains closed if they want to prevent someone from breaking in their homes. They also said alarms serve as deterrents to crime.

Residents were also warned to be watchful of suspicious activity in the neighborhood and dont be afraid to call the police if they see it happening. The ex-offenders told the residents that it would be up to them to take back their neighborhoods and part of that involves being more involved in their children or grandchildrens lives by participating in their schools and knowing who their friends are.

Residents Call For More Solutions

Previously, members of the Greater Chatham Alliance (GCA) reported concerns about suspected drug homes in the neighborhood. At the CAPS crime solutions meeting, the Citizen asked Sixth District Police Commander Eddie Johnson what was being done to address the groups concerns. Johnson said that the police are aware of several drug homes in the area. Sometimes it takes a process to completely eradicate the problem. With drug houses, we dont want to simply put a band-aid on the [problem] and lock up the guy up and then hes back on the streets. Our goal is to put [offenders] in prison so we can get rid of that problem, Johnson explained.

GCA members recently provided the Citizen with addresses of suspected drug homes within the Chatham neighborhood as residents pressed for better results in solving crime in the area. However, when Johnson was informed of the suspected drug homes, he said providing addresses is great, but he called for more details that included when the activity occurs; license plate numbers; and descriptions of suspects. That will go a long way in helping us, Johnson stated. If you just simply call [the police] to say that we have a drug home on 79th and King Drive, thats not enough to help us get to the meat of the problem.

In response to Johnsons comments, Carl Lewis, GCA president, said the group has previously given the police detailed information of suspected drug homes and referred to specific addresses in Chatham where the group said they believe drug activity is occurring. He added that he reported those locations to police this past May but claims there havent been any results.

Johnson said that it may appear to the residents that the police arent providing results, but he said, a lot of times were working on a covert capacity to knock out these drug homes. Lewis said that he does not have a problem with police working

undercover to help eradicate the drug problem, but called for more arrests when residents report drug activities.

In addition to calling the police, Commander Johnson said residents can use services provided by the Cook County States Attorney Narcotics Nuisance Abatement Unit. The unit is a communitybased drug control strategy which works closely with local police and law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies, community groups, and citizens to identify, investigate, and prosecute drug homes. For more information, call (773) 869-DOPE.

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