Take Back the Block Comes To Grand Crossing

City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson talks about investing in the community during the Take Back the Block activation in Grand Crossing. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES
City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson talks about investing in the community during the Take Back the Block activation in Grand Crossing. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES

Take Back the Block Comes To Grand Crossing

By Tia Carol Jones

On a sunny Friday afternoon, the sounds of a band playing The Jackson’s “Can You Feel It,” filled the air as community members walked down the blocked off street by St. Moses the Black.

The Friday evening event was part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Take Back the Block initiative. The initiative is designed to reduce violent crime, foster community engagement, while demonstrating the city’s commitment to community development and safety. The first Take Back the Block event took place on the Near West side on Friday, July 12th.

“We’re here today to stand with you to demonstrate our commitment to bringing the full force of government to build out safer communities, block by block,” said Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor of the Office of Community Safety.

Gatewood said in a statement that the city is focusing on creating tangible, positive changes in neighborhoods by working directly with residents, community organizations, faith leaders and the entire administration.

Christopher Hicks, President of Chatham United, talked about organizing the Chatham United and how it has grown in the last three years from 11 people to 300 people. He said he decided to stay in the community and to help make it better. One way he believes communities can improve is by people getting to know each other. He also said what is missing in the community is family.

“Community, work together, come out the house, get to know each other, work together and we can build a better and safer Chicago,” Hicks said.

Chicago Police Department 3rd District Commander Melvin Branch said the only way to combat the violence in the streets is for the community and the police department to work together. He invited members of the community to sit down and talk to him.

William Hall, 6th Ward Alderman, said it is easy for him to stand alongside the Mayor because he knows what the Mayor stands for. He stands for workers, a fair wage, paid time off, for people in the community.

“He stands for us. I don’t know when was the last time we’ve seen a Mayor in our community this much. Because he stands for people who look like us and fight like us,” Hall said.

Johnson welcomed people to the Sixth Ward. He thanked Hall and Branch for their leadership in the community.

“This is the moment that we’ve all been waiting for. This is the moment that our ancestors dreamed of, that we would finally have a day when we come to reckon with the gross disinvestment that has taken place over the course of decades. Now, you have an administration, someone who knows on a personal level … My heart is with the people, people who are desperately looking for transformation,” Johnson said.

Johnson said that transformation has arrived. It has arrived with a $1.25 billion housing and economic development investment for the West and South sides of the city, the reopening the mental health clinic in Roseland and mental health and behavioral health care services in the lower West side and Garfield Park, as well as investing in young people with the One Summer Chicago program.

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