With a fourth stabbing in recent weeks to hit Lakeview on July 16, the neighborhood continues to grapple with a perceived rise in crime and the anxieties of young people who feel blamed for it.
While energy around the crime issues seemed to wane in comparison to the previous two weeks, much attention was centered on yet another stabbing.
A 24-year-old man told police that he was walking near the Belmont el station in the early hours on July 16 when two men attacked him from behind.
The incident occurred at 938 W. Belmont at approximately 3:30 a.m., said Laura Kubiak from the police department's news affairs office. The victim, whose name has not been released, suffered a stab wound to the back and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. He was treated and has been released.
Police charged two men in connection with the stabbing. Demetrious Moore, 26, of the 7500 block of N. Sealy, faces felony charges of aggravated battery and drug possession. Israel D. Johnson, 23, of the 7200 block of S. Rhodes, stands charged a misdemeanor battery count.
Ald. Tom Tunney of the 44th Ward praised police in a statement later that day.
"I was out at the scene at 3:45am and have been in contact with 19th District Commander John Kenny," Tunney said in the statement. "Thank you to our officers for their quick and professional action. Late-night patrols have been stepped up in our neighborhood and we will continue to work together to find additional resources for the [m]idnight to [6 a.m.] shifts."
On "Take Back Boystown," the Facebook page that started Lakeview's most recent discussion on crime, members appealed to their neighbors to keep up the momentum, to continue to pressure police and city officials to crack down on crime. But with the group's two initial events (a positive loitering walk and a July 6 CAPS meeting) now past, local stakeholders seemed to struggle with the next steps.
Several LGBT community organizations expressed concern over recent crimes, but also expressed fears that queer youth are being targeted by residents.
Many "Take Back Boystown" members aimed to clarify that they are not advocating for racial profiling in Lakeview, and comments on that page appeared considerably less controversial than in recent weeks, with few blaming youth of color outright for neighborhood crimes.
LGBT organizations stepped forward and offered their resources for mediating those discussions. Both Taskforce Prevention and Community Services, a West Side HIV-service organization, and Center on Halsted announced initiatives to deal both with crime and with LGBT youth issues.
Center on Halsted has taken heat in recent weeks from residents who claim that the organization attracts youth who loiter and commit crimes to the neighborhood. Modesto "Tico" Valle, CEO of the Center, had said the Center was helping the situation, not making it worse. Making good on that promise, Valle announced a new taskforce "to build a safer and more welcoming community" as well as new self-defense and conflict mediation classes for the community.
"These are challenging times for our community," said Valle in the July 15 announcement. "Now is the time to work together again so we can build a safer and more welcoming environment for all people."
Sitraka Andriamanantenasoa, the Center's new community relations director, also spent much of the week meeting with community members about their concerns and hopes for the Center.
Taskforce Prevention and Community Services announced its own taskforce for addressing similar issues.
"I know that many of the youth in question are from the west and south side of the city and live in communities with cultural norms that don't support young gay men and women," said Alicia Ozier, of Taskforce Prevention and Community Services in a recent statement. "While I make no excuses for their behavior, I believe that we must work together before anyone else is hurt."
Finally, the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance stated its intent to work on issues in Lakeview that affect youth. The Alliance had planned to convene its own taskforce but said it will first wait to see if they are able to partner with groups already working on the issues.
The Taskforce Prevention and Community Services Taskforce will meet Wed., July 20, at 7 p.m. at the 23rd District police station, 850 W. Addison. Those interested in attending should RSVP to Alicia Ozier, aliciaozier@hotmail.com .
The next CAPS meeting for beats 2332 and 2333 well be held Thursday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at Comfort Inn, 601 W. Diversey.
Those who are interested in working with the Illinois Safe Schools Alliance can email youthcommittee@illinoissafeschools.org .