Those of us that call Lakeview home are well aware of the continued increase in violence and crime that has entered our community. Like many of you, I've grown tired of the trend and after the Labor Day Weekend; I decided to write a letter to Alderman Tom Tunney asking him four simple, yet important, questions about his strategy to reduce violence and crime in our community. 

According to Chicago Police Department Crime Statistics and media reports, since August 20th there have been reports of: multiple armed robberies, a shooting at the Belmont Red Line, numerous motor vehicle thefts, a stabbing that brought an “unresponsive” victim to the doorstep of Illinois Masonic Hospital, football-style attacks on defenseless woman, and so on.

I appreciate that we live in an urban environment and I’m not naive enough to believe that complete eradication is possible. That said, in my view the status-quo is untenable and unacceptable.  

Why does this matter? 

We are all well aware of how fragile reputations are. If Lakeview continues on this path it is my fear that it could impact our reputation as an exceptionally safe neighborhood, particularly in light of the broader problems other parts of Chicago are currently facing.

Any change in reputation could have serious consequences, for everyone. Such a decline could negatively impact property values. It could impact the ability to attract new business to our community. It could impact the stability and quality of our local public schools. And cast a pall over the universal vibrancy that those of us who choose to live in Lakeview know and love. 

What can you do?

Co-sign "letter # 3" with me. By signing this petition I will add your name to the next letter I send Tunney that will reiterate previous questions concerning his strategy to reduce violence and crime in Lakeview.

Please follow me on Twitter @Rosited to stay up to date on progress and developments.  

Why did I go to Tunney?

At the end of the day, he's our advocate with the powers-that-be within the 19th District CPD, City Hall, and so on. It is his responsibility to channel our feelings and seek to find answers and implement policies that address what are often very legitimate concerns, anxieties, questions, and so on. 

What's happened so far?

1.    The initial letter was written and hand-delivered on September 10, 2015. The Alderman has yet to respond or acknowledge the existence of the letter.

2.    On September 15, 2015, I emailed the letter to Bennett Lawson, Alderman Tunney's Chief of Staff and received a two sentence reply that he would work with the Alderman to "prepare a response."

3.    One week passed and nothing. No response. No acknowledgement.

4.    On September 23, 2015, I sent a follow-up letter to the Alderman asking him to please respond to my original letter.

5.    On September 24, 2015 I forwarded the second letter along to Mr. Lawson. Again, nothing. No response. No acknowledgement. 

For more background on this, please check out: 

Article about our efforts to-date: http://www.cwbchicago.com/2015/09/reign-delay-after-writing-to-alderman.html#comment-form 

Copy of my initial letter: https://twitter.com/RosiTed/status/642012673241182208 

Copy of my second letter: https://twitter.com/RosiTed/status/646808216215621632 

Thank you for your continued support and willingness to get involved! 

~Ted