MORGAN PARK — A group of neighbors said crime has become an issue since Bar 118 opened in on Western Avenue in April.
"When they leave the bar, they go up and down 118th," Brian Harris, a resident of the 11700 block of South Artesian Avenue, said at a community meeting Tuesday. Harris said his neighbor was recently burglarized and cars parked along the street have been targeted.
He believes the criminal activity is tied to the bar at 11848 S. Western Ave. and added that his neighbor had to get a new gate after the break-in.
Harris, his wife and another neighbor shared their concerns at a town hall meeting for the 19th Ward at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in Mount Greenwood.
Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th) facilitated the meeting, adding that he is aware of the public safety concerns near the bar and is working with Chicago Police in the Morgan Park district to find a solution.
"That's a serious problem there," O'Shea said. "That's not just idiots drinking beer."
Chicago Police Cmdr. Mark Harmon was also at the town hall meeting and confirmed the bar has landed on his radar.
For his part, Javon Cherry of Blue Island said he's willing to work with the surrounding community. The part owner of Bar 118 said he's already addressed some noise and littering complaints from neighbors and plans to meet with O'Shea to further discuss the problem.
"I'm looking forward to working with everyone to make sure everyone is content," Cherry said on Wednesday evening.
Harris said he works as a security guard at the University of Chicago in Hyde Park. He said the previous owners also operated the storefront as a pub, but he never saw any problems.
Under the current ownership, Harris said he often sees patrons leaving the bar in the early morning hours as he's headed to work. The trend makes him nervous both for his family and others living nearby.
"Beverly has always been quiet, laid back," he said.
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