CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) -- People living in a neighborhood on Chicago's Southwest side say the disturbance that woke them up in the middle of the night over the weekend is a sign that the city still needs to do more to address "teen takeovers" in the city.
Southwest side Ald. Ray Lopez told reporters before Wednesday's City Council meeting that more than 200 teenagers and young people swarmed an area around 45th and Normal in Canaryville between midnight and 2:30 AM on July 19. "All hell was breaking loose in the neighborhood," said Ald. Lopez (15th Ward), who acknowledges the incident resulted in no reported injuries or lasting damage to property.
A police News Affairs spokesperson told WBBM Newsradio that officers were called to the area at that time, but no report was filed. Ald. Lopez claimed that local officers responding to those calls were ordered to "stand down," in what he suggested was part of a deliberate effort by city leaders: "They are very intentionally trying to downplay these events to make it look as though they're making progress."
Neighbor Tom Russell refuted media comments by Mayor Brandon Johnson suggesting that no gathering took place in the area: "We seen it with our own eyes and heard it with our own ears! They were laughing at the police!"
The alderman noted that with the summer half over, the city needs to take action.
"Neighborhoods are not gonna put up with this all summer long," said Ald. Lopez.
WBBM Newsradio has asked Chicago Police to respond to the alderman's claims about under-reporting of "teen takeover"-style events.
Alderman accuses city of under-reporting gatherings after Sunday event
Alderman accuses city of under-reporting gatherings after Sunday event
