UPTOWN — It's not uncommon for Dennis Mondero to see men loitering for hours in the street or running up to cars for quick exchanges outside his office on Argyle Street.
To him and his staff at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, it always resembled drug dealing — a problem he's seen in the neighborhood since he was a kid growing up in Uptown in the 1970s, though Mondero couldn't identify it at the time, he said.
"It's certainly a problem. ... I've seen it literally right outside my office. We've got roughly 100 kids coming here after school," said Mondero, the executive director of the association at 1016 W. Argyle St. "It's not like I see people dealing every day, but it's a pervasive problem."
Monday, the Chicago Police Department arrested 16 people on charges related to drug dealing in the area. The takedown was led by the city's narcotics and vice units and struck "the heart of gang operations," according to the Police Department.
Eight of the people arrested were documented gang members, and 13 were listed on the Police Department's "strategic subject list" of people who are more likely to be victims of gun violence, according to the Police Department.
"A number of these individuals were gang members who have been involved with the violence that has plagued this part of our community and were cited for selling narcotics within 1,000 feet of Goudy and McCutcheon schools," said Ald. Harry Osterman (48th). "This police operation is an important step to improving the safety on and around Argyle Street. A safe Argyle area is important for the entire community."
Along with the arrest, Quick Stop at 5000 N. Sheridan Road was shut down after 10 violations of city codes were found in the building. Two buildings in the 1100 block of West Argyle Street were also ticketed for 12 total building violations.
An employee of J&A Convenience Store at 1108 W. Argyle St. said the city inspected most of the buildings in the area including the store, which didn't have any violations. The thorough inspection took about three hours Monday, he said.
Mondero credited Osterman with pushing businesses and the community together "to make the community better and safer for everyone" with walks and meetings. The alderman has also worked with police to add foot patrols to the area around Argyle Street.
In March, Osterman unveiled a list of policies and plans police are currently rolling out to reduce violence ahead of the summer months, when crime tends to spike in the neighborhood and across the city. The cornerstone of the plan is increased foot patrols on problematic streets such as Argyle, where the $3 million high-concept streetscape will be officially unveiled this summer, along with events expected to keep residents out on the well-lit street later in the evening.
After the arrests, he also invited residents to the area to bring positive foot traffic to the area.
The full schedule of events for this week:
• Noon Wednesday: Ice cream social at Argyle Street and Winthrop Avenue
• 6 p.m. Wednesday: "Positive loitering," where people gather at a location to deter criminals from doing so, at Argyle and Kenmore Avenue
• 5 p.m. Thursday: CAPS Officers will hand out tote bags and policing information at Argyle and Winthrop
• 11 a.m. Friday: Outdoor police roll call at Argyle and Winthrop
• 6 p.m. Friday: "Positive loitering" at Argyle and Broadway
• 11:30 a.m. Saturday, CAPS Appreciation Day at Argyle and Winthrop
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
