Keeping Teens Out of Trouble
Organizations Discuss Options at Town Hall Meeting at Bogan
Issues such as local crime trends, block-club organization, and finding ways to keep teens out of trouble were addressed at the 18th Ward Safe Summer Town Hall meeting held May 1 at Bogan High School, 3939 W. 79th St.
Ald. Lona Lane (18th) organized the event that brought together local police officials, local school representatives and community groups.
Audience members were invited to submit written questions, many of which the officials answered at the meeting.
“We want this to be more of a solution-based event, not a complaint session,” said Maze Jackson, Lane’s chief of staff.
An estimated crowd of about 150 people attended the meeting, and the only complaint voiced by a few people looking around the half-empty auditorium and others who found out about the event too late to attend was that it could have been better publicized.
But Lane’s staff said flyers were sent to homes in the ward and notices were posted in area businesses.
“You need more block clubs. You need to know the people on your block. Don’t be embarrassed to be a nosy neighbor. We need you to report crime. Report the criminals. Call 911 and say you want to remain anonymous. Our neighborhoods belong to families, not to gang members,” said Lane in her introductory remarks.
“I am also asking that you know where your children are...who they go to see and who their parents are. Don’t let your children go astray,” she continued. “We need to get control of our children. Teachers need for us to discipline our children. Teachers need parent participation,” said the alderman.
Judy Ollry, the CAPS community organizer for the 8th District, was among the speakers.
“Most of the work I do is organizing block clubs,” said Ollry, a Clearing resident who is holding workshops from 10 a.m. to noon on the third Saturday of each month in the 8th District community room at 3420 W. 63rd St.
“We want you to make sure that if you live on a safe block, that it stays that way,” Ollry said. “I’m pleased to say these workshops are really paying off.
“I’ve seen more and more men coming to the workshops and showing an interest improving their neighborhoods.”
Kenneth McNeal, in his first year as principal of Bogan, acknowledged that there have been complaints in the past about students loitering and causing problems in the neighborhood. But, he said, those issues are being addressed.
He encouraged neighborhood residents and businesses to call the school about any problems they witness.
“Our security officers are quick to respond to local businesses such as Walgreens, White Castle or the (Scottsdale) library when we are notified about students hanging out there when they should be in school,” said McNeal.
He said that to curb overcrowding, the Board of Education ruled last year that no new students from outside the school’s neighborhood boundaries would be enrolled at the school. Exceptions are made for students accepted in the International Baccalaureate program, who come from throughout the city.
“But Bogan is a great school. We don’t want any of our (neighborhood) kids passing up Bogan to go somewhere else.
“We have plenty of clubs and other activities here to keep students busy after school,” he said.
He and Lane alluded to a new high school eventually being built in the area, but no definite plans for that appear to have been made at the city level.
Justin Turner, an Ashburn resident and sophomore at Bogan who was recently elected as student representative to the Local School Council, also spoke at the meeting.
“We need to start promoting moral improvements (in students),” said Turner. “Students were telling me we need more social centers.
“We have to have programs to keep students busy because we are the leaders of tomorrow.”
Charley Clark, the dean of students at Luther South High School, also spoke at the meeting.
“I hope none of our students are causing problems,” said Clark, noting that with his school’s location at 87th and Kedzie, the students are watched by Chicago police and officers from neighboring Evergreen Park as well.
He noted that the sale of land for a new subdivision beside the school will allow Luther South to keep tuition low as well as build an auditorium and sports facilities for students.
Addressing the issue of crime, Police Ofc. Kelvin McCullough, an 8th District officer assigned to foot patrol along Kedzie and Western avenues, 79th and 87th streets, said, “We’ve got to continue to work together. We don’t want it to be the community against the police.”
He and the other police officials in attendance, including Gresham (6th) District Cmdr. Eddie Johnson, encouraged people to attend their local beat meetings to get to know the officers assigned to their area, and report anything unusual.
McCullough said that there has been “a big increase in break-ins.”
“There have been a lot of arrests, but with juveniles, the system is so overburdened that they have to be let go,” said McCullough.
Yolanda Toppins, a Wrightwood resident who brought her concerns about burglaries to the alderman’s attention after the meeting, agreed about the need to get involved.
“People need to go their CAPS meetings and find out what is happening,” she said.
Lane said that her ward office is planning several upcoming events, including a job fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 17 at Marquette Park Field House, 6734 S. Kedzie Ave.
She added that there will be movie nights held in Marquette Park during the summer, and that the field house, which is about 100 years old, is being given landmark status this year. This will free up funds needed to replace windows and make repairs to the building.