James Brown homicide shrine removed

Homicide shrine for James Brown removed overnight
in the 6800 block of North Ashland

(Rogers Park) - On April 6, a teddy bear and small note marked the spot where James Brown was gunned down in broad daylight, at 6822 North Ashland.

Over the years of monitoring these street shrines, as time passes, the memorial grows.

I've never seen one shrink so quickly. Especially overnight.

On April 7, the only thing you could find at the shrine location was a single magic marker hanging from a string attached to the fence; a few empty beer cans; a few blue balloons lying in the gutter - and some blue colored streamers that are still wrapped around a tree in the parkway.

Everything else was removed. Either the street shriners changed there MO? Or a 'positive loiterer', the police or landlord to the building removed them?

Lone marker hangs
from the fence.

Whoever did this street shrine removal is really changing how things are done. This just isn't normal.

BLOGNOTES: Tonight there is a 'Positive Loitering' walk taking place. Ald. Joe Moore and the commander of the 24th district are endorsing this event. If you'd like to join other neighbors in a holistic community walk through the neighborhood, email John at the address below. He'll give you the time and location everyone is meeting.

I've joined in on a couple of the walks this year, and can tell you, John cares about the community. He has a plan to make it better. Like I said, email him to find out more.


rogersparkmadebetter@gmail.com

Person shot on Pratt and Ashland

Yellow and red police tape mark off the crime scene
at 6822 North Ashland on April 5, 2012.

photo by Craig Gernhardt

(Rogers Park) - A male was shot April 5, around 2:05 p.m., at Pratt and Ashland. The alleged offender(s) who did the shooting, took off in a car north on Ashland.

Update 1: Shell casings found at 6822 North Ashland by police who arrived on scene very quickly. Ashland Avenue is closed by Pratt and Farwell.

Update 2 - 2:13 p.m: The car in question is a silver 4 door Grand Prix with tinted windows and Indiana plates.

Update 3 - 2:15 p.m: Driver was seen shooting out the window while driving.

Update 4 - 2:18 p.m: Witnesses say two shooters. Male blacks with dreads. One had a "Blackhawks" hat.

Update 5 - 2:21 p.m: Witnesses have different directions of the car leaving the scene at Pratt and Ashland. One said it went east on Farwell, off Ashland, one said west on Morse, off Ashland, at a high rate of speed.

Update 6 - 2:23 p.m: Victim is early 20's, male black, according to his girlfriend, who's on scene. They've got his name.

Update 7 - 2:23 p.m: Victim shot in upper part of the body. He's in critical condition and heading to St. Francis.

Update 8 - 2:26 p.m: The pistol used in the shooting according to police was a 9 mm.

Update 9 - 2:58 p.m: Students heading home from Sullivan are being re-routed away from Ashland.

Update 10 - 2:59 p.m: Police say the two different fractions of the GDs (Morse GDs & Howard GDs) are in battle.

Update 11 - 3:03 p.m: The baseless rumors and gossip on Everyblock have already started. Eddie said, "Not sure how true it is but I heard there was one fatality..." 
Eddie, if you're reading this, no one has officially pronounced the victim as dead, yet.


Update 12 - 3:15 p.m: Oh my. A person at Illinois Masonic is claiming he got shot at Birchwood and Ridge about and hour ago. Police are investigating.


Update 13 - 4:18 p.m: More speculation the victim had been murdered. EB net-neighbor, Jennifer Baxley says "the man died." Police have mentioned a DOA at St. Francis, but didn't say why or who. So, until we get police confirmation to match the name I got on scene, it's all hear-say.


Update 14 - 4:30 p.m: Police are releasing the corner as a crime scene. A black Mazda was hit by stray bullets, which the owner is moaning about. They should be thanking their lucky stars they weren't in the car at the time of the shooting. Instead of moaning about it.


Update 15 - 6:41 p.m: Gotta love the mainstream press. t's been over 4 hours and they've yet to touch on this shooting at Pratt and Ashland. I guess all the real news reporters are at the Cubs game?

Morse Avenue enjoys beefed up Police patrols

(Rogers Park) - Since the two shootings on Morse Avenue on March 31 and April 1, Chicago Police have thoroughly patrolled CAPS Beat 2431, not only in search of the gun-men involved, but to show the neighbors and businesses who are on edge, they're doing their job.

I have witnessed two bike patrol officers around the Morse el, a beat officer walking Morse, undercover tac teams, and much more visible marked squad cars patrolling the streets - and alley ways.

I have seen the beat officer walk Morse before, don't get me wrong; but I've rarely seen the officer stand on the corner of Morse and Glenwood just like the "negative loiterers" do.

Foot and bike patrol officers sure have an impact on Morse Avenue. This is the type of neighborhood police patrolling that Morse Avenue needs.

The first two days of the week have been very pleasant on Morse - virtually crime free.  I hope it stays like this for longer than a couple of weeks.

Police on hunt for one of the Morse Avenue shooters

(Rogers Park) - In wake of the recent shootings on Morse Avenue, police have a name and very good description of one of the weekend's alleged shooters.

Last night around 2 a.m., they spotted the subject in question on foot in the 1400/1500 block of Farwell. Somehow, the alleged offender eluded the officer.

The officer implied the offender may have a gun. At this time I'm holding out on his name and some of the physical characteristics of the wanted man. Stop back, as this story is still in development.

Person shot at Morse and Glenwood

Morse and Glenwood
the site of the latest Morse Ave. shooting

(Rogers Park) - On April 1, around 2 a.m.,  a 27 year old male was walking on the south side of Morse Ave., near Glenwood, when an occupant of a silver car began firing at the man, hitting him in the leg and foot.

An eye witness to the shooting said he saw the shooter fire about seven shots from the car, then, as the victim was fleeing west on Morse, the car backed up and fired several more rounds in his direction.

The witness, who doesn't want to be identified, said the victim was ambushed by a gang called the Locs.

Morse and Glenwood does not currently have any police cameras mounted on the corner, but one was there a couple of years ago.

Around 12:00 p.m., April 1, two Chicago Police bike patrol officers were patroling the 1400 block of West Morse.

Residents who live around this area and business owners on the street are on edge, as this is the second drive-by shooting on Morse in the last 24 hours.

The 27 year old male who was shot is in stable condition at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.

The shooter hasn't been captured.

Shots fired at Morse and Greenview

Two parked cars took on some damage
in last nights wild shoot-out

(Rogers Park) - Around 1 a.m., March 31, gun fire erupted in the 1500 block of West Morse Avenue. Neighbors report hearing 9 to 10 shots, then 6 to 7 shots more.

According to one EB neighbor, Katey, the shots came from "two different guns."

Kshell said, "a silver SUV shot at a black car." Kshell also said he hear shots fired by an individual on foot a few blocks away.

Two innocently parked cars on the North side of Morse were damaged in the shoot-out/crash. A red Ford Escort and a purple Dodge mini-van.

Timothy Killeen, who said he witnessed the crash but not the shooting, said a dark van was shot at Morse and Greenview.

Chase said, "It took the police about 4 to 5 minutes to appear."

Christel Richard said, "I live on Greenview and saw the shooter. It was probably the most scariest thing I witnessed."

According to the Chicago Tribune, no one was hit by the flying bullets. No one was seriously hurt in the crash. But four people did go to the hospital, three females and one male.

The shooter(s) have not been identified.

There is a official police camera mounted high on a pole, on the corner of Morse and Greenview. That taxpayer funded police camera should've captured everything.

That's if it's working?

Gang Shrine for Anthony Scott grows at Devon and Oakley

 (West Ridge) - With all the love being spread on these gang shrine signs posted on the wall above the teddy bear, candles and flowers, you have to ask yourself....

Why would anyone want to murder Anthony "Harlem" Scott?

For those who thirst for a neighborhood bike ride or stroll today, this gang shrine is located on the south east wall on Oakley, by Devon.

Better get there early thou, as in the night they're harder to read and there could be a possibility you'll get shot and killed, like Anthony Scott did on March 16, 2012.

This gang shrine is located in Alderman Debra Silverstein's 50th Ward.

Clearly, as long as these messages have been erected, Ald. Silverstein must approve this gang shrine?

While I know most of you won't make it to this ever-growing gang shrine, I'll bring it into your living room today, for you to enjoy.

Read some of the heart-warming messages left by 

Anthony Scott's friends and family

RIP Harlem

Rest in Peace, Tony

Harlem, Rest in Peace, our Brotha Son

photos by Craig Gernhardt

Street memorial held in murder victims honor

Memorial for Anthony Scott

(West Ridge) - Unwelcomed crowds gathered together to hold a memorial on the evening of March 22 at Devon and Oakley, for a 19 year old male who got shot in the head March 16, around 9:45 p.m., and was pronounced dead on March 18 at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.

Anthony Scott, of the 9100 block of South Perry Avenue, was honored by his fellow 'negative loiterers' - who police say the 'NL's' were representing with their various gang colors to honor Scott on the northside street corner where he got murdered. Ceasefire was on hand for the event, as were the Chicago Police Department.


According to a gang hoodlum message board I monitor, (which is hard to decipher because it's all slang gang talk), Scott was a member of a gang called the Moes, who got caught in the wrong part of town and got shot by the Kings. Retaliation is coming, according to the hoodlum message board website.

City suspends Rogers Park nightclub known for shooting customers who don't pay bar tab

Gallagher's Bar, 1770 West Greenleaf.
photo by Craig Gernhardt

(Rogers Park) - Gallagher's Bar, 1770 West Greenleaf Avenue, won't be needing to use excessive force to collect any old bar tabs for a while.

The city of Chicago has slapped a big orange "Suspended" sticker on the door this week.

Gallagher's is located in CAPS beat 2424.

In March of 2011, I reported on the Broken Heart of Rogers Park, a Gallagher's bouncer, Danielito Valentin, who claimed to be an off-duty cop, flashed a badge and shot a patron for not paying his drinking bill in a timely fashion.

Valentin was arrested on March 20, 2011 and given an inmate #2011-0320103, with his bail was set at $75,000, according to Mugshots.com.

There is no records of Valentin in the Department of Corrections system as of March 22, 2012.

Gallagher's property location is owned by 1770 West Greenleaf Corporation, listed with the Secretary of State of Illinois as an "active" corporation - and the President's name listed on the state website for 1770 West Greenleaf Corporation as Ignacio Estrada; with an address of 6601 North California.

Leticia Estrada is listed as the corporations secretary, with the same address as the President.

Gallagher's has also been to Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Hearing Board numerous times in the last year, the latest date was February 21, 2012.

The hearing officer for the case (# 11-LR-0048) is Robert Nolan.

To his credit, Ald. Moore, who hold's popular local neighborhood get-together's called, "Follow me Friday" at various venues across the ward, has avoided taking his chances hosting an event at Gallagher's, even thou the 49th ward campaign offices are right next door .

We're guessing this was wise move on the Alderman's part. Everyone knows what could happen if you don't pay the tab on-time.

We'll keep you posted on any grand re-opening - ribbon cutting ceremonies.

"Light 'em Up" - Shots fired in the 1700 block of West North Shore

(Rogers Park) - As the escalation of gun violence continues to grow in CAPS Beat 2432, another shooting was called in on March 21, around 6:00 p.m. The latest round of "shots fired" call came from the 1700 block of West North Shore this evening from another anonymous neighbor.


A 911 caller a bit later said  "a bullet went through the window..."


This comes on the heels of every-block neighbor, Timothy Killen, who claimed to have called 911 on a group of alleged gangbangers on March 20, around 11:15 p.m. - through 3:30 a.m., on March 21. This was all about gangbang activity at Common Cup Coffee Bar at Greenview & Morse; and 1515 West Morse Avenue, according to Killen.


Killen claims the gangbangers rule the corner of Morse and Greenview, while the Chicago Police Department does absolutely nothing  about it - except drive by the alleged crime slowly in the squad car and do absolutly nothing.


Police camera pods could confirm everything, if the camera was actually working at the time of the alleged incident. According to Killen's 3:20 a.m., 911 call - Timothy Killen boldly claimed, "While waiting for the cops to show up, I saw an SUV creep up to these guys, then sped away...." 


"One of the kids pulled a pistol and ran into the street, his buddies yelling "Light 'em up!" but he fumbled with the gun and the car was gone..."


Nolen RP said, "This is absurd. Police and CAPS officials constantly tell people to call 911 and provide details of activity. Yet, if they are not doing anything to stop the activity, people we'll stop calling - and feel helpless...."


Looks like Kevlar should be in fashion this summer for residents in CAPS Beat 2431 and 2432. That, or something safer - like a new CAPS beat address.

911 caller claims "shots fired" at Touhy and Rogers

(Rogers Park) - On March 19, at 8:36 p.m., a neighbor anonymously phoned 911 with a "shots fired" call at Touhy and Rogers. The caller said one shot was heard. Police arrived on scene, canvassing the area for a shooter - and came up empty.

A wave-off was given at 8:42 p.m.

Neighbors claim "shots fired" at Jarvis and Paulina

(Rogers Park) - While unconfirned by Chicago Police, neighbors on Everyblock reported hearing up to 5 "shots fired" last night shorthly before midnight.

Said Legal Diva: "I was sitting in bed, getting ready to sleep, reading a magazine, and there goes five gunshots...."

Said Shav21: "I wish these scumbags would just move and not be our problem...."

Said Catherine 537: "There is no way on God's green earth I would raise childen in Rogers Park..."

Said newbie EB'er, Bruce: "Shav and Lega, welcome to the neighborhood...."

In other weekend news. One neighbor, we'll call her "C", said the neighborhood kids wanted to "throw rocks at the white lady...." I'm suprised Bruce didn't welcome her to the neighborhood, too.

Bruce also found a chicken in his backyard - which many neighbors cared more about than the "gun shots" and the shooting victim, who was shot in the face Friday night.

As Bruce says, "Welcome to the neighborhood...."

Person shot on the Northside, near Devon Avenue

(West Ridge) - A person was shot in the head March 16, around 9:50 p.m., at 6354 North Oakley. A 911 "shots fired" call has also been phoned in for 6454 North Claremont.

Witnesses say up to eight male/blacks were seen running from the crime scene. One neighbor in the 6400 of north Oakley said a M/B was trying to get in her back yard.

No weapon has been found. No shooter has been located.  EMS has been called. Devon and Oakley have been blocked off.

Update - 10:13 p.m.: The 19 year old male victim is heading to St. Francis Hospital. One witness is going into the station for questioning. Devon is being opened up to traffic.

Update - 10:34 p.m.: More gunfire in the night. Anonymous 911 caller says, "3-4 shots fired" at 6334 North Francisco.

Update - 10:54 p.m.: Witnesses say two of the alleged offenders were wearing red t-shirts; two were wearing white t-shirts; two were wearing blue t-shirts. Their alleged ages ranged from 13 years old to 18 years old. The shooter had a black colored revolver. Crime scene investigation is on their way to the shooting location.

The victim is in critical condition, according to Chicago News Affairs.

Shots Fired in the 1700 block of West Pratt

(Rogers Park) - Multiple neighbors called 911 tonight regarding 'shots fired' on their block around 8:08 p.m., on March 14. Up to six shots were reportedly fired. 


The general area of the shooting by the various anonymous 911 callers varied from as far away as Morse and Ashland - to Morse and Clark; and finally the 1700 block of west Pratt.

One caller said the shooting came out of the second floor of 1737 west Pratt, although a check at that location by the CPD turned up empty. 


Bullets did go through two neighbors window in the 1800 block of west Pratt. This was confirmed by the CPD over the radio.

One witness said the alleged shooter was M/H who ran north from Pratt. Police were touring the area for suspects. Nothing further at this time.

Shots Fired in the 1700 block of West Wallen

(Rogers Park) - Multiple 911 callers reported shots fired at 1737 West Wallen, or 1723 West Wallen, or Wallen and Clark or Columbia and Ravenswood, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.

No one caller could tell for sure where the shots were fired from. Up to 5 shots were reportedly fired. A couple of callers heard only two shots.

Reports are conflicting from different 911 callers about the alleged shooting, but most say the description of the alleged shooter was M/B. Yet other 911 callers and witnesses say it was an M/H.

The alleged offender(s) were on foot, shooting at a moving vehicle. While reports say there are a victim involved, no EMS has been called to the scene.

One 911 caller said a weapon was thrown in the alley behind 1737 West Wallen. None was found by police canvassing the area.

Reports say this was all gang related, but wouldn't detail which gangs were involved. No further details at this time.

On March 7, a similar shots fired called came from this location.