CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) – It’s now been one week since South Side Alderman David Moore announced that he would be camping out on a residential block in Englewood, where, he says, an open air drug market has operated for years.
73rd Place, between Racine and Ada, was quiet as WBBM visited the Alderman for an update.
There was no line of cars blocking neighbors from their homes. Families could be seen outside, and people were catching up on some yard work.
The illegal drug trade Alderman Moore speaks of appeared to have moved one street up.
Cars were seen pulling up to the corner. WBBM witnessed an exchange take place, with a driver receiving cash and handing over items to a group of individuals standing on the corner of Ada.
“You’ve seen with your own eyes where it’s moved to, but I want it to stop here,” Moore said.
The alderman believes this wouldn't be occurring in other neighborhoods.
"In Beverly, this wouldn't be happening," Moore said. "The moment somebody walk out there, they'll shut it down immediately, and I ain't talking about just the residents. I'm talking about law enforcement, and the power of the City would shut it down immediately."
"People in Englewood deserve to be treated the same way as well. It can't be a tale of two cities."
The alderman told WBBM that he spoke with Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling this week. The city’s top cop told him the department is aware of the situation and is coming up with a plan, but he is unable to share any further details.
“They’re going to do the best they can, but they have to have an administration that’s fully behind them as well,” Moore said. “We have to take the handcuffs off our police officers. We have to make sure that they have all the resources that they need for what they need to do.”
To Alderman Moore, it's as simple as police enforcing the law. If illegal drugs are being sold, both the seller and buyer should face a penalty. He added that the buyer’s car should also be towed.
Moore said he has no sympathy for those engaged in illicit activity.
“These are life choices, and we can’t coddle that,” said Moore. “They laugh at us when we coddle that. They call us fools when we do that. We cannot continue to put people’s lives in danger.”
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