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Read the press release here.

Belmont Cragin Group's Goal: Control Gentrification, Stop Crime

By Evan F. Moore | May 25, 2016 8:50am
 Alonso Zaragoza is the founder of Belmont-Cragin United.
Alonso Zaragoza is the founder of Belmont-Cragin United.
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BELMONT CRAGIN — Alonso Zaragoza sees what grassroots organizations are doing in other neighborhoods across the city and wants the same for his neighborhood: Belmont Cragin. 

"We want to start getting grants for the neighborhood. We have a group already but we to make sure it is more organized," said Zaragoza. "We want to form something that can exist along with the neighborhood block clubs."

Zaragoza, 35, help found Belmont-Cragin United, which has been around since 2015. The group is holding an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. May 31 at Zacatecas Restaurant, 5037 W. Diversey Ave.

Zaragoza, a librarian, wants to pattern the group after the Hermosa Community Network and the community organizations making waves in North Lawndale. 

"We want to get some things done. We've seen groups in other neighborhoods organizing and get things done," Zaragoza said. "It may take awhile but we will get it done."

Zaragoza sees the rapid development in Logan Square and Humboldt Park and fears the worst. 

"The economy has hurt a lot of people as gentrification has taken over," Zaragoza said. "We want to control it, but at the same time we want to adapt to the changes in our neightborhood."

Zaragoza told DNAinfo that another main concern of the group is crime prevention.

"We're not going to get businesses to move into the neighborhood unless we prevent some of the crime we've seen," Zaragoza said. "I think if we start to put some of these block clubs together, we are able to stop it. Move it out of the way at least."

Zaragoza said that many of the neighborhood residents are interested in making Belmont-Cragin United a viable organization. 

"I've gotten a lot of positive messages. Before we weren't as organized," Zaragoza said. "It used to take awhile to get a street light fixed. Now, it only takes a couple days. We put pressure on through social media. Something we were never able to do before."

For more information on the meeting, check on to Belmont-Cragin United's Facebook page

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