Thursday, January 1, 2015

Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch Salutes Great Christmas Decorations

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

It's not unusual for members of the Garfield Ridge
Neighborhood Watch to be out at night on the streets west of Central Avenue, working to make the neighborhood a safer and better place while the rest of us relax.

Well, these good men and women were at it again Tuesday evening; but rather than scouring the streets and alleys for signs of criminal activity, they were delivering gift baskets to several homes and a business that sported some of the best and most cheerful Christmas decorations on the entire Southwest Side.

Winners were chosen by the GRNW members themselves, who spotted them while making their regular crime fighting rounds in the vehicles and on foot. GRNW President Al Cacciottolo noted that it was more difficult for the GRNW to choose winners this year than last, if only because more people seem to be decorating--a good sign of a neighborhood that feels good about itself.

What does that have to do with fighting crime? Well, plenty, indirectly. Encouraging all of us to take a little more pride in our homes and businesses leads to a neighborhood that is more cohesive, more aware, more apt to stand up against blight and crime. The GRNW knows that and has been engaged in community improvement efforts for a couple of years now.

Here's an explanation from Cacciottolo:




Here are a few photos of those saluted by the GRNW.


Flowers by Liz
5932 South Mayfield

5824 South Natoma

5619 South Newland
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