SOUTH SHORE — Ald. Greg Mitchell (7th) is laying out his plan to help South Shore recuperate after a wave of violence in the neighborhood last week, including targeting businesses that he says contribute to trouble.
After seven people were killed in three separate shootings on March 30 in South Shore, Mitchell is saying a single tactic alone will not build South Shore into a thriving community.
“It will take a multi-faceted approach to restore the luster of our neighborhoods,” Mitchell said Monday. “I will continue to advocate for and bring financial resources to the ward through capital improvement projects, school improvements, programs to spur development and funding for not-for-profit organizations that serve our communities.”
RELATED: Peace Efforts 'Hijacked' By Drug Dealers Before South Shore Slayings
Mitchell said he will immediately ramp up efforts to target problem businesses in the ward that he says contribute to crime.
“Too often businesses within the ward allow loitering in front of their stores and are directly involved in illegal activity and ordinance violations,” Mitchell said.
He said these businesses will face increased scrutiny from city inspectors, more fines and will see their licenses revoked if they don’t clean up their act.
Mitchell said he’s increasing his office’s support of people who want to start block clubs and is moving up a community safety summit originally planned for late April that provides neighbors the resources to organize such groups.
He said he’s also planning to aggressively push in May the city’s One Summer Chicago Program that recruited 400 7th Ward kids for jobs last year.
Police have yet to announce any arrests in the March 30 murders.
In the wake of the violence South Shore residents admitted feeling discouraged that previous peace efforts had been co-opted by drug dealers and some said the best option now was the leave the neighborhood.
