Safety Survey Launching To Help Shape Solutions To Violence

IRVING PARK — Several organizations and institutions are partnering to reduce and prevent violence in Albany Park, Irving Park, North Park and Sauganash.

The first step in their effort, a safety survey, launches Wednesday during a community peace event from 3:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. at the American Indian Center at 3401 W. Wilson Ave.

Participants will be polled on questions such as the time of day at which they feel most or least safe in the neighborhood, how concerned they are about various incidents of violence locally and citywide, and the quality of police interaction with residents.

Paper copies of the survey will be available at the event, which also includes a school supply giveaway, raffle and refreshments, organizers said.

Residents can complete the survey online as well. Versions have been prepared in six languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Farsi, Gujarati and Arabic.

The survey grew out of an "On the Table" event held earlier this year, which drew participants from the Kedzie Center, North Park and Northeastern Illinois universities, Swedish Covenant Hospital and others, according to Angela Sedeño, executive director of the Kedzie Center, a community-funded mental health center.

"We believe that violence is a public health issue and that violence can be prevented and reduced when we work together to address the factors that contribute to and escalate violence," Sedeño said.

The survey data will be compiled and shared with the aforementioned institutions — which make up a Community Safety Committee — along with the neighborhood's aldermen and Elias Voulgaris, the Albany Park District's police commander, she said.

The committee will use the survey's responses to develop goals and create prevention programs, Sedeño said.

The survey will be open at least through Dec. 15, she said.