Parents treating their kids like shit

My internet was down today so I went to the neighborhood library (Douglas) to use their computers.  I was there only for about 15 minutes.  While I was there, I noticed a small child, about 8 years old, approach a women sitting next to me to ask her for help.  

The women snapped at the kid , something to the effect "I told you I'm busy, leave me alone!"  I glanced over and saw she was  watching music videos, very important stuff obviously.  The kid replied "but mom, I need your help" She responded harshly "I'm busy!"  The poor kid walked away.

About 5 minutes later the kid came back wanting to speak to his mother.  Not surprisingly, she was still too busy with her music videos.  She snapped at him again, "What did I tell you, I'm busy, go find something to read"

What kind of mother would rather watch videos than help her kid and why did she have to be such an asshole about it?

I've worked with kids and families before, so I've seen this type of behavior, but it never ceases to shock me.

No wonder these kids end up screwed up.

Former Lawndale Alderman caught carrying a gun outside police station

Former 24th ward Alderman Sharon Dixon was arrested after packing some heat just outside the 10th district police station.  Dixon is no stranger to arrests, when she was Alderman she was arrested for driving under the influence.

Only on the WEST SIDE.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/07/sharon-dixon-gun-charge-f_n_3232674.html?utm_hp_ref=chicago

Upcoming Garfield Park Conservatory craft beer fest, yet no marketing to residents, what gives?

I recently found out about the annual Garfield Park Conservatory craft beer fest (May 14) after it was sold out.   There appeared to be no marketing towards residents.  I've asked many of my neighbors and none are familiar with the event.  Despite belonging to  to several neighborhood  organizations/groups, I barely  found out about it, 2 weeks before the date.

Just like the Garfield Art Walk, there seems to be a disconnect with the neighborhood residents.  It's almost like it's two different neighborhoods.

I was looking forward to going to this fest but now it's too late.   Since it's on a Tuesday I'm not that upset, but I'm still trying to figure out why the residents are out of the loop.

News of the weird, neighborhood store caught with 5,000 illegal cigarettes

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/A-fake-wall-hides-near-5K-cigarettes-on-the-West-Side-194224861.html

"A fake bookshelf in Tom’s Food Mart at 3553 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Lawndale masked nearly 5,000 packs of unlicensed cigarettes, authorities say.

Cook County Sheriff Officers discovered the hidden storage area in the back of a bookshelf behind a false wall.

Inspectors from the Cook County Department of Revenue and sheriff were checking tax stamps on the cigarettes in Tom’s Food Mart when they saw a man pass through the false wall into a closed off unlocked area"

Only in the hood do you hear stories like this.  I knew that stores sold loose cigarettes, but I never knew they had elaborate secret rooms.  

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Melee near Ford City mall results in 19 arrests

Kids gone wild!!   

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-24/news/chi-police-respond-to-ford-city-mall-disturbance-20130223_1_ford-city-mall-mall-officials-mall-minutes

" About 4:45 p.m., a large group of disruptive teens ran yelling through the mall, which is located at 7601 S. Cicero Ave., according to a mall official

Officials closed the mall minutes later, but the chaotic scene continued outside, where police found between 100 and 200 people damaging vehicles in the shopping center's parking lot, according to a police report.

Many of those involved ignored orders to disperse, and police arrested 19 people between the ages of 13 and 18, according to police."

This type of pandemonium occurs frequently on the West Side, yet it rarely gets reported.  I've  witnessed a few right in front of  my home.   I suppose it's only news worthy when it  happens in "other neighborhoods".  This is what happens when problems in certain areas get swept under the rug, they start to resurface in other areas.  I predict you will see more of this.

How does the saying go?  "Chickens coming home to roost"

CPS threatens to close 129 schools, most on West and South Side, West side parents fight back

http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/18187995-418/129-cps-schools-at-risk-of-closing-west-side-parents-vow-to-fight.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/02/14/1186970/-The-West-Side-of-Chicago-says-NO-to-school-closings

"The West Side took it on the chin Wednesday in the list of Chicago Public Schools at risk of closing — but residents who packed a CPS hearing vowed not to give up the fight.

A few hours earlier, Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett had released a list of 129 vulnerable schools, mostly from the South and West sides. The schools she will in fact close in June all are among the names on this list, but not all on the list will close. She encouraged communities of schools on the list to testify at the second round of CPS hearings before she announces her final decision by March 31. "

I realize that many of these schools are underutilized, some  are not even at half  capacity.  I also acknowledge that most of these schools are providing subpar education.   What I don't understand is that while the city is planning on closing 129 schools, they are moving to open 100 more.   This makes me wonder if the true motives are less about efficiency and education and more about privatization and politics. 

http://www.wbez.org/news/education/100-new-chicago-schools-5-yearsagain-99276

http://www.wbez.org/news/proportion-privately-run-chicago-public-schools-increase-104303

Something tells me that these hearings by CPS, just like the CAPS meetings,  are nothing more than a Kangaroo Court.  I suspect that in the end the West side will get the shaft, we are after all, the city's red-headed step child.  Another example of City Hall serving up the West side as some sort of sacrificial lamb to further their agenda.  For decades the West side has gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to infrascruture, political clout, and basic city services.  Is it any surprise that education would be any different. 

Police bust another open air drug market in Lawndale

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130210/north-lawndale/police-drug-bust-north-lawndale-nets-heroin-pcp-pot

I cam across this story yesterday about a drug bust in North Lawndale

"Police announced the arrest of 19 people involved in a "gang-controlled drug market" late last week.

Along with the arrests, police seized a car and quantities of PCP, heroin and cannabis, according a statement released by the Chicago Police Department.

Police received complaints from community members about drugs sales near 13th Street and South Christiana Avenue in the city's North Lawndale neighborhood. After undercover officers performed a number of narcotics purchases, police were able to identify 20 people involved in the "drug market," according to a statement"

Anyone familiar with the West Side knows the prevalence of open air drug markets. Heroin and crack are openly sold on dozen of street corners and alleys.   Rampant drug sales is one of the biggest complaints residents have.  As someone who leans libertarian I'm conflicted when it comes to drug dealing.  On the one hand I feel that in a free society adults should be allowed to do with their bodies as they choose.  On the other hand, as a resident of the west side I see the destruction it has on individuals, their families, and their communities.  The drug market fuels the gang violence and is probably the biggest contributor to the drive by shootings and quality of life.  For peace loving people living near a drug market, life becomes unbearable.  Drug addicts roam aimlessly like zombies and break into cars and homes searching for money to support their habit.  Gangbangers/dealers overtake an entire block and rule it like ruthless warlords.  It's truly an urban nightmare, not  much different from  some apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi movie.  

This drug market was a few blocks from my home.  Everytime I've driven by it I've witnessed guys slinging dope.  Although I'm happy it was shut down, I realize that nothing more than a Whack-A-Mole.  The police strategy to combat drugs is  nothing more than an endless cat and mouse game.    The reality is that drugs on the west side are a symptom of a  greater problem and until the problem is addressed, the drugs will persist.  In a society where money is king, and  a segment of our populaton  have virtually no chance of earning a decent wage, the lure of easy money is too tempting to resist.  Couple that with mass hopelessness and dyfunction, and it's pretty much guaranteed you will have rampant drug dealing.

Despite this, the decent residents of 13th and Christiana will have a few weeks of normalcy.