Safety Awareness Alert

From: sauc (Duel Richardson for the University of Chicago Safety Awareness Program)
Subject: Safety Awareness Alert
The following is the text of a Safety Awareness Alert that is being posted today:
*At 2:10 a.m., Friday, June 30, near 54th Street and Greenwood Avenue, a woman was confronted by an unknown man who first asked for the time, then displayed a gun, forced the victim to walk to a nearby secluded area, sexually assaulted her, and fled. He was described as an African American, 20-25, about 6', with his hair in long braids. Police are investigating.*

Crime Trends -- HPKCC

A tracking of recent trends in Hyde Park Crime from the HPCC:

Snapshot May 18-June 15 2006, Beat 2131

What's hot: theft (11), Criminal damage and Motor vehicle theft (10 each), Battery (8). There were 4 assaults and 4 batteries, and 1 each Criminal sexual assault, Criinal trespss, Deceptive practice, Offense involving children (not bringing back in time), Robbery.

The World Garden at Kenwood Community Park, started by Common Threads and the park, has experienced repeated vandalism and theft to the garden and minimal fence in 2006. (Common Threads was started by Al Smith, Oprah's chef, and includes a project to teach kids from across the South Side the whole process of food production. The Kenwood Improvement Association at its meeting heard from the project's director Linda Novick and asked action. Rudy Nimocks, director of The University of Chicago Police, made arrangements for nighttime UCP and 21st District patrols to make sure the garden stays. They also have been working with the park district to get a sturdy fence.

The cameras are planned for early summer along Drexel Blvd. at about 48th/49th and 52nd and possibly a different kind south (5th Ward?). They have to be funded from aldermanic menus. They are theoretically part of the "Homeland Security Grid" and managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

And the university is putting up 5 additional security phones along 47th and in west Hyde Park.

Avoiding Black Men

After I was mugged, about a year ago, for a time I kept my distance from other people on the street, but especially from black men. I felt terrible about crossing the street, or even flat our running, whenever I saw a black man, and wonder how he felt. Not good, I assumed. But I felt confident that by avoiding black men, I dramatically decreased my chances of a repeat occurence.
Today, I found this article by Brent Staples which gives the story from the side of the black man (in Hyde Park, no less). He doesn't seem to blame us skittish folks -- but it certainly affects his life more than ours.

Woman found injured in Hyde Park

The woman was transported in critical condition to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County after telling the citizen she had been shot, the report said. The woman was found in the 700 block of East Midway Plaisance Drive.

Jittery Neighborhood

I think we can all agree with hydeparkmama that we are all feeling a little jittery about the murder. I hope the police get on the trail.

Police Release Descriptions Of Leona's Suspects

Area 1 detectives are looking for a black man between 26 and 28 years old, about six-feet tall and 200 pounds with a stocky build, medium brown complexion and black hair worn in braids, according to a release from police News Affairs office. He was last seen wearing a red shirt, the release stated.

Detectives are also seeking a clean shaven, skinny black man between 20 and 25 years old, about six-feet tall with a medium brown complexion, the release stated.

CBS Video

Murder of Corey Ebenezer

Two additional articles, with more information about Corey but no news of progress in the case.
Chicago Defender
Chicago Tribune

June 14 HPH Crime Page

Manager of Leona's fatally shot during robbery

Manager of Leona's fatally shot during robbery
A Leona’s manager was counting the money drawer when he was shot
twice in the chest area by three men who fled on foot and got away with an undetermined ...
Manager Shot, Killed In Hyde Park Leona's Robbery CBS2 Chicago
Restaurant employee fatally shot Chicago Tribune
Restaurant Manager Fatally Shot In Hyde Park NBC5.com
WQAD - Restaurant manager killed in hold-up