Bronzeville residents discuss safety concerns, learn about new communication program

Jan. 30, 2008 – Problems with prostitution, improving the neighborhood’s quality of life and a new safety program were the main topics discussed by residents and board members at a community meeting in Bronzeville on Tuesday night.

The Bronzeville Area Residents’ and Commerce Council hosted their monthly meeting to discuss the area’s problems and to present a new safety program to residents who gathered at the Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave.

“We’re tired of prostitutes, we’re tired of loitering, we’re tired of people drinking on the public way – it’s time for it to stop,” said BARCC’s Safety and Security Chairman Marie Smith.

Over the past few years, one of Bronzeville’s main concerns has been prostitution. Abandoned buildings in the area are prime locations for prostitution and other illegal activity to take place. With the help of the local alderman and police, residents are working to eliminate the problem.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) attended the meeting and spoke about her goal to end prostitution in the area by working closely with the police in District 2. So far, they have succeeded in closing down houses on Calumet Avenue and Prairie Avenue, an area she referred to as “Prostitution Row.”

“We’ve closed down houses of prostitution in the ward and we want to continue to have a more consistent focus on that,” said Dowell.

Dowell referred to Chicago Police Department statistics to show that in the course of one year, the number of arrests for prostitution in District 2 rose by 85.9 percent, while they decreased 9.5 percent citywide. She addressed the importance of staying on top of the issue to continue seeing results and exclaimed, “I’m on it.”

BARCC and Dowell are also interested in addressing quality of life issues in the neighborhood, like public drinking, loitering and selling loose cigarettes. Residents have previously expressed concerns about people loitering around liquor stores and hope to resolve that issue and make the area safer.

“I think the things that are really going to tip this community and take it to another level is to really begin focusing on quality of life issues,” said Dowell, who listed focusing on those issues as one of her top five initiatives for the 3rd Ward in 2009. 

To help resolve the neighborhood’s issues with prostitution, public drinking and loitering, BARCC will be implementing a new communication system called a “calling post.” For the most effective results, the Bronzeville neighborhood was divided into 10 zones with designated zone leaders who are responsible for reports in their area. 

Residents who notice any suspicious activity are encouraged to first call 911, and then report to their zone leaders with as many details about the incident as possible. The zone leader can then reach out to other people in the zone who can also make a call to report the issue.

“We want the police to come out to get those prostitutes,” said Smith. “If we get 5, 6, 7, 8 people calling on one prostitute, the police will be there right away.”

The “calling post” system will also be used to address non-emergency neighborhood concerns, such as potholes and streetlights that need to be replaced. Zone leaders will send email alerts for non-emergencies encouraging their neighbors to report problems by utilizing Chicago's 311 service.

“That’s the best way to get things accomplished – to share information,” said BARCC Treasurer Pam Dempsey.

BARCC encouraged everyone at the meeting to sign up for his or her respective zone to become a part of the calling post system. If more residents get involved, they can hope to see more positive changes in the neighborhood.

“It doesn’t matter what block you belong to, we want to help you make our community better because at the end of the day, it helps all of us,” said Dr. Keith McCoy, BARCC’s Safety and Security Co-Chairman.

BARCC holds their meetings on the last Tuesday of every month at the Urban League. To find out more information about the organization and their goals for the Bronzeville neighborhood, go to their website.