A recent string of violent robberies in Lincoln Park and Lakeview has many residents on edge. Four vicious attacks in Lincoln Park are believed to be connected.
Chicago Police have beefed up their presence in the area and issued a community alert. The investigation has also captured a significant amount of media attention.
Some people are questioning whether robberies in less affluent areas are being overlooked.
Since late June, there have been 6 reported robberies near Southside Metra stations. Chicago Police are investigating with Metra Police, but they did not issue a community alert.
"We've got great detectives all over the city. If they feel a community alert is warranted, they will issue one, as soon as possible," said Chicago Police Area 3 Commander Gary Yamashiroya.
What do you think? Is too much attention focused on the Northside robberies? Post your thoughts here.
Comments (1)
I don't think Lincoln Park is getting too much attention. As far as whether or not community alerts should have been issued in other areas where recent muggings and robbings have occurred, I think they should have been.
Lincoln Park is a little different from most communities in Chicago in that it is an area where a lot of people are out and about on foot later in the night than in most areas because there are a lot of restaurants, clubs, etc. It is an area that attracts a lot of visitors (i.e., people who don't live or work in the area). It is an affluent area where people on foot late at night are targets for people in cars who can "mug and run", particularly when they are near Lake Shore Drive and can get away pretty fast.
More importantly, it is an area that has always been considered "safe" so visitors, residents, and people working in the area are not always as guarded or careful as they need to be. That is why the alert is necessary. Also, as unfair as it it, crime sprees in an areas perceived as safe same to be more newsworthy than in areas perceived as dangerous. It doesn't make it right. Citizens need to be alerted, police need to be vigilant, and crimes need to be reported no matter where they occur.
Posted by Jenny | August 24, 2009 9:24 AM
Posted on August 24, 2009 09:24