ROGERS PARK — On Saturday, Rogers Park and Evanston neighbors will unite along the Howard Street border for the second time this week to stand their ground against violence in the neighborhood.
From 4-5 p.m., a community group called Network 2424 plans to meet in the parking lot of Howard Food Mart, 2059 W. Howard St., to take a short walk around the area.
A "big turnout is important" to send not only a supportive message to the community, but a show of resilience in the face of recent shootings in the area, organizers say.
Bernard Garbo, the beat's CAPS facilitator and leader of Network2424, said the "positive loitering" event was already scheduled before the shooting, but that "quality of life improves in any neighborhood when residents are actively involved in their community."
On Wednesday, a 26-year-old man was shot in the chest and critically wounded just three hours after police from both Evanston and Rogers Park gathered for a joint roll call at the troubled convenience store.
Police and neighbors had originally gathered for roll call to bring attention to Howard Food Mart — a place that critics say has not only acted as a "gang clubhouse" over the past few years, but also where at least one of three men shot ran for shelter after being injured by gunfire Oct. 13.
According to the event page, during the "positive loitering" event, neighbors can have the opportunity to learn more about and create a plan of action for Deleterious Impact Ordinance complaints.
The Deleterious Impact Ordinance is a city law that holds problem businesses accountable for criminal and other activity associated with the property.
Garbo said Wednesday night he and other neighbors have been working for years to get the business to close, but admitted it's a process that takes time.
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