Chicago’s 7th-Ward a nightmare for residents! South Shore ‘Terror Town’ now under scrutiny!
By Rev. Harold E. Bailey
CHICAGO, IL. A southeast side area known as South Shore was once known as a safe place to raise your family and educate your children. This stretch of property now appears to be rampant with absentee landlords and a spiraling crime rate.
Recently, a self-admitted “general†of a Chicago street gang that operates in the  South Shore neighborhood, referred to as “Terror Town†by many, was sentenced to 20-years in federal prison for drug and gun crimes. But in the midst of all said and done, nothing has been said by 7th ward Alderwoman Natashia Holmes, who was selected (not elected) to run the ward. Numerous street crimes have become prevalent but few arrests are taking place on the streets where homes are beautiful, yet isolated citizens can no longer enjoy them.
In his first City Council appointment, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel selected Natashia Holmes, a political unknown, to replace the beleaguered Sandi Jackson who then headed the infamous 7th Ward. Former Alderwoman, Sandi Jackson, has now been sentenced to serve time in Federal prison.
Natashia Holmes, a former official at the Illinois Department of Transportation was said to be a policy expert and would be expected to bring about reasonable change in the 7th Ward, a change deemed to be long overdue.
Natashia was supposed to represent a clean and clear break from the past and was to bring about a new beginning for youth and elders alike, said Chicago Mayor Emanuel at the time of her selection to head the 7th Ward, that “It’s an opportunity for a fresh start.” A fresh start for what has now become the unanswered question for those who have invested many dollars in their structures on this prime land by beautiful Lake Michigan.
The African American Investment in South Shore property began years ago when this prime area was not readily available to people of color. Subsequently, there were new laws and a difference in conducting business. After bitter fighting and a new mindset, discrimination regarding home buying was said to be over! Â Blacks purchased homes on the premises that they would bring hope for a pleasant retirement. Residents are now asking when will the fresh start take place in ‘Terror Town’ that the mayor speaks of. South Shore, a place that some dreamed as a once-in-a-life-time winning of the lottery … has now become a nightmare!
South Shore appears to be business as usual for criminals…with unresolved murders, as with the recent murder of Cortez Evans, a young man gunned down in the middle of the day, on the corner of 75th and Yates. Authorities are saying they have no clues or leads. And to further increase the threat of danger … senior-citizens in that same area are no longer able to freely walk the streets feeling safe!
Seniors have often complained about a mere walk to the various currency exchanges where gangs surround businesses, or afraid to take a leisure walk to the lakefront without undesirables demanding money. Hopeless elders say their complaints have fallen on deaf ears, as have the numerous invites for Alderwoman Holmes to attend community meetings. Some complain that their phone calls are not returned.
Though 7th-ward Holmes was appointed by Chicago Mayor Emanuel, and Emanuel was given the nod of approval by President Barack Obama to win an election, neither of the two has received a rate of approval by the large majority of Chicago citizens.
Recently, a cable man was shot in the alley at 76th and Kingston, and a witness to the crime was asked to leave the scene. For months, residents living around the Kingston 76th street address have complained about prostitution solicitations and drugs being dispensed openly! Anyone walking pass this area can observe these transactions, and residents are asking why Alderwoman Holmes’ office has not noticed this and informed the Chicago police department. Would it take the shooting of a renowned cable service … which was aired around the world to get the authorities attention? With corner-drug-service-providers of drugs selling in mid-day, many are asking serious questions as to who knows what?
Johnny Acoff, vice president of the South Shore Gardens Betterment Association, and disgruntled homeowners are expected to air their sentiments on the PCC Network.
Rev. Harold E. Bailey is President of Probation Challenge/PCC Network WWW.ProbationChallenge.org – The Truth Network
