LAKEVIEW — The perception of Lakeview's crime is just as concerning as the statistics, Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said earlier this week.
And the perception among DNAinfo Chicago readers is that crime is worse now than before, and neighbors are frustrated with the lack of action from public officials.
Ninety neighbors, former residents and other readers voiced their concerns this week on Neighborhood Square, DNAinfo's online community platform, and the DNAinfo Lakeview Facebook page.
User @alana01, who said she lived in Lakeview and Lincoln Park in the '80s, reminisced about safer times:
"Never once did I have a problem then, nor did anyone I knew. There just wasn't the sense of danger that there is now ... Working in the area now for a number of years, I feel that crime is more frequent, criminals are bolder and police response is just NOT what it was. Just anecdotes, but I do think the crime stats are manipulated and under-reported."
Others said in unverified accounts that the police made it difficult for victims to file reports, using tactics like downgrading crimes to less severe offenses or not taking stolen package reports.
User @erinn-strain-martin said her wallet and phone were stolen, and her credit card was later used at the Dunkin Donuts under the Belmont 'L' station. Despite having security footage from Dunkin Donuts, she wrote:
"I took it to the police ... and was told they wouldn't go after the offender because there was no money in it. I wasn't truly the victim, they told me, the bank was. They are making crime worse by turning their backs on the smaller crimes."
Readers like @Veronika_Kat_LiBeth and @GenericUsername both said the crime has driven them from Lakeview. @Veronika_Kat_LiBeth wrote:
"I moved to the Loyola area of Roger's Park [sic] in 2010, after living in Lakeview for 10 years. I moved back then because I felt less safe walking in Lakeview at night, especially on weekends. I work nights. My commute is 20 minutes longer since moving. I still transfer at Belmont and I still feel it's a less safe area."
@GenericUsername said they are moving in November.
"There has absolutely been a change. Until about the last 5 years or so, as long as you kept your wits about you and did not do anything incredibly stupid...you were pretty d*** safe. ... Now...nope. Completely different feel to the neighborhood. Lots of empty storefronts, an understaffed police department, and a rather deliberate failure to recognize that some of the public services in the area are havens for individuals who habitually prey on others means that it is likely to get much, much worse before it gets better."
After Tunney announced Wednesday that 43 more officers would be added to the shrinking Town Hall District police force, some felt that his "yes" vote on the historic $589 million property-tax hike wasn't worth the payoff. @russzwolinski wrote:
"The question should be why did he let the situation get to this point. He has been an alderman for 13 years ... I find it disgusting when he says he will continue to keep the safety of the neighborhood his priority! If this was a priority how did we lose 145 officers in 4 years while you were in charge and denied or ignored the problems and increased violent crimes in the area."
Readers @Barrystreet and @SouthportParent were skeptical that Lakeview would actually see the increase in officers, with @Barrystreet questioning, "If by chance that we do, what under protected wards will lose [43] police. This is the stench of Chicago politics."
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Some even offered advice to their neighbors. Users @SamAdamsGhost and @PitaSmith recommended concealed carry for protection, but "only do it if you are trained and comfortable as well as willing to defend yourself decisively."
Another piece of advice was to get "more people to put up cameras and help protect the neighborhood," wrote @PitaSmith, who said a detective offered the advice following a crime in a nearby alley. "He said it is a lot harder to solve crimes in better neighborhoods because of the lack of cameras while the notoriously bad hoods have cameras everywhere."
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