Editorial: Keeping Garfield Ridge One of Chicago's Very Best Neighborhoods

Garfield Ridge is one of the very best places to live in Chicago. That was true 50 years ago, it was true 25 years ago, and it remains true today.

But that didn’t happen by chance. It has always required people to work together---homeowners, business owners, everyone---to improve our community. That means everything: from something as simple as cutting your grass and planting flowers and saying hello to your neighbors, to something as challenging as fighting blight and crime.

The challenge of blight and crime is something that all Chicago neighborhoods have always shared---in varying degrees. (And it pays to remind ourselves that the same can be said of Chicago’s suburbs, much as some suburbanites may try to deny it.)

So, what do we do about it? Well, here are just a few suggestions to keep Garfield Ridge a great place.

GRNW meeting, April 9, 2012

First, be a good neighbor by keeping your house in good repair and visually appealing. Make your home, garden and yard the type of place people see and say, “This is a nice neighborhood.”

Second, be a good neighbor by introducing yourself to your neighbors, especially newcomers who could use a hand shake, a smile and a friendly hello.

Third, secure your property against burglars and others. Don’t go overboard. Don’t make your home into a security-bar fortress. Just take smart steps to reduce your risk for being a target of burglars.

Fourth, be alert and involved. If you see anything on your block (or anywhere in the neighborhood) that is either a crime in progress or even looks suspicious, call 911. Be an extra set of eyes and ears for the police.

GRNW meeting, April 9, 2012

Fifth---and this is key---join the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch and be an active member. Attend monthly meetings. GRNW members work together as a small but highly effective force for good in Garfield Ridge. As a group, they achieve successes that individuals can’t achieve alone. They work hand-in-glove with police to prevent crime and promote unity and pride in our great community.

Finally, know that while everyone should join the GRNW, most won’t. But that’s OK. In any community, city or suburban, the few do the work of the many. But know that when you join the GRNW, you will be working alongside men and women like you---good people who understand the value of our great neighborhood and are moving forward with confidence to build a better Garfield Ridge for everyone. So please join, won’t you?

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Archer Heights CAPS Meeting Roundup

A recent Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting in Archer Heights yielded common concerns and calls for renewed citizen vigilance and cooperation with police in thwarting crime.

The April CAPS meeting for the Eighth Police District’s Beats 815 and 821(see clickable beat map below) was held at St. Bruno School and was attended by about two dozen local men and women.

Highlights included:

** Chicago Police officers in attendance stated that the ongoing crackdown on prostitution continues in the wake of Operation Little Girl Lost, which in 2011 resulted in the arrest of nine street gang members charged with forcing young girls into prostitution. Locally, efforts have centered around Cicero Avenue in the blocks south of the Stevenson Expressway, as well as 47^th Street between Pulaski and Cicero. Several people at the meeting praised police efforts and encouraged them to keep at it, especially since some of the prostitutes seen locally appear to be in their early teens, they said.

** Several small businesses continue to tape advertising flyers to residential garage doors in the area. All who see the flyers are advised to report it to police.

** A reputed gang member was arrested and charged in connection with a residential burglary near 53^rd and Mayfield. Local court advocates intend to appear in court on April 26 to impress upon everyone the neighborhood’s solidarity in demanding justice.

** CAPS facilitator Michael Kovac praised the efforts of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch (GRNW) and urged everyone in Archer Heights to “follow their lead. The people in Garfield Ridge are watching. They see a vehicle on their block that they don’t recognize, and they watch closely. We have to be that way. We have to be aware, and we have to call 911 when we see anything suspicious.”

** One person voiced concern about possible gang activity near the Archer Park basketball courts, as well as possible drug dealing in an alley near 49^th and Kostner.  All local residents are advised to keep their eyes and ears open and report any problems promptly.

** It was noted that the annual springtime spike in confidence artist activity, as well as strong-arm robberies, is occurring. All local residents are advised to be extremely cautious in answering their doors. Always ask a stranger at the door for photo identification---and they tell them to wait while you telephone the police. “If they’re legit, they’ll wait,” one man at the meeting said.

** There was brief discussion of an alleged “nuisance” house near 49^th and Knox---where there may be squalor inside that includes multiple cats and dogs. Several individuals at the meeting said they are working with city agencies to address the problem.

** All local residents were encouraged to post the four-digit number of their home address at the rear of their property---either on the garage or securely affixed to their fence, clearly visible from the alley---so that police may quickly and accurately navigate the block in an emergency.

** One resident complained about neighbors who hold frequent, loud parties that last well into the night. Police noted that the law requires loud noises to cease at 10:00 p.m., and that police can and do respond to such calls---and when appropriate, issue citations that can carry a $500 fine.

** After one person asked if there is a gang attempting to establish a new toehold in Archer Heights, it was noted that flashing gang signs is a crime in the city (reckless conduct), and that police can and do respond to citizen calls about it.

The next CAPS meeting for Beats 815 and 821 is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 2 at St. Bruno, 4839 South Harding. All local residents are encouraged to attend. For more details, phone the Eighth District CAPS Office at 312-747-8724.

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Local Crime Roundup

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way.

* * *

A citizen complaint about loud music led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Garfield Ridge man and his 21-year-old friend from Burbank, shortly after midnight Friday, April 6 next to an apartment building at 5516 West 55th Street.

Police investigating the complaint encountered the two men standing just outside a car that was the source of the loud music. Upon seeing police,the two turned off the music and the car engine.

The 26-year-old, Thomas Dominguez, who lives at the apartment, reportedly said to police, "I got my kid upstairs. Why you f*cking with us?" According to police, Dominguez then puffed out his chest, clenched and raised his left fist and said "You ain't taking me. My kids are upstairs. I'm gonna f*ck you up."

Upon seeing and hearing that, the responding officer struck Dominguez with an open hand. As officers were arresting and handcuffing Dominguez, his 23-year-old friend, Jaime Torres, allegedly attempted to interfere by pulling Dominguez away---while saying, "You ain't takin' my dog." Torres was also arrested.

In addition to the arrest, Torres' 2010 Nissan Altima was impounded by police.

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A 43-year-old Scottsdale woman reported that in the morning hours of Thursday, April 5, burglars opened the unlocked rear door of her house near 77th and Knox and stole her purse with credit cards, house keys, personal identification inside. The burglars entered the house after her son left for work and failed to lock the house door.

* * *

The Midway Fellowship Club, 5632 West 63rd Street, lost $50 overnight Wednesday/Thursday April 4/5 after burglars forced their way in, pulled a safe off a wall and then broke into the safe. 

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A 19-year-old Archer Heights woman was a victim of a strong-arm robbery at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 on the sidewalk in front of the Cocula restaurant, 5241 S. Pulaski.

She was approached by two offenders---a 19-20-year-old white Hispanic man and a 17-19-year-old white Hispanic woman. The two hollered "Hey, you have my stuff!" just before the man grabbed the victim and wrested her backpack away.

They fled east. The backpack and its contents were later found behind businesses at 5119 South Pulaski.

* * *

A lawn mower and two auto tires/rims were stolen from a garage near 50th and Kilpatrick at about 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 4.

The crime was discovered by a 28-year-old resident who found that the garage's service door had been kicked in.

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A thief who stole an automatic garage door opener used it to gain entry to a garage near 48th and Tripp in the late night hours of Tuesday, April 3.

Stolen were two stereo units. Also, the burglar attempted but failed to steal a GMC Yukon SUV inside the garage. The burglary was discovered by a 21-year-old man who lives at the home.

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A thief who stole an automatic garage door opener used it to gain entry to a garage near 58th and Hamlin on Tuesday, April 3.

Hand tools, a gas torch and an air compressor were stolen in the burglary, which was discovered at about 8:40 a.m. by a 56-year-old man who lives at the home.

* * *

All Southwest Side residents are invited to a Chicago Police burglary prevention seminar set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the first-floor auditorium of Daley College, 7500 South Pulaski.

Police officers leading the seminar will explain in detail how burglars typically operate: how they choose which home or garage to burglarize----and they will offer a number of practical steps everyone can take to minimize their risk of being a burglary victim. 

Admission and parking are free.

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Local Crime Roundup

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way.

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A 23-year-old Clearing woman suffered a few bruises during a scuffle just after a party broke up at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, March 31 outside a home near 75th Place and Springfield.

According to police, the woman said that she and her boyfriend were leaving the party and got into an argument with a few other people. Shortly after they got in their vehicle to leave, the offenders drove up in a maroon Chevy Tahoe, cut them off, jumped out of the SUV and pelted their car with bricks---breaking the front and rear windshields, as well as the passenger-side windows.

The Clearing woman was struck in the face and hands with bricks.

The offenders were described as two male white Hispanics, about 23 years old and 5'5 135 pounds and 5'7 150 pounds.

* * *

Burglars stole a table saw, a mitre saw and a power drill from a garage near 52nd and Hamlin in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1.

A 40-year-old man who lives in the home in front of the garage heard the garage's burglar alarm at 2:00 a.m., but decided not to investigate. At 9:00 a.m. he discovered the garage's side door pried open and his tools missing.

* * *

Hand tools and an air compressor were stolen by burglars who kicked in a side door of a garage near 59th and Kenneth, sometime overnight Thursday, March 29.

The crime was discovered at noon Friday, March 30 by a 25-year-old woman who lives at the home.

* * *

A leather jacket, a portable DVD player and assorted DVDs were stolen by two burglars who broke into an apartment near Archer and Keeler at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29.

The victim, a 39-year-old woman, was not home at the time; but her landlady saw the two in a van behind the building and confronted them. The pair, a man and woman, claimed to be friends of the victim with a key and permission to enter her apartment. They then drove away.

Police arriving on the scene discovered pry marks on a rear window sill.

The suspects were described as a 25-27 year-old white woman with brown hair, 5' 5 and 140 pounds; and 25-27 year-old white Hispanic man with black hair, 5' 11 and 225 pounds.

* * *

Late in the morning of Monday, April 2, a burglar smashed the front door window and stole a TV set from Stan's Barber Shop, 6656 West Archer.

The shop is closed on Mondays, and the burglary was discovered by a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, who immediately alerted police.

* * *

Burglars forced open a side door of a house near 55th and Kolmar on Monday, April 2 and stole a Nook computer tablet.

The crime was discovered at 7:30 a.m. by a 36-year-old woman living in the house.

* * *

All Southwest Side residents are invited to a Chicago Police burglary prevention seminar set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the first-floor auditorium of Daley College, 7500 South Pulaski.

Police officers leading the seminar will explain in detail how burglars typically operate: how they choose which home or garage to burglarize----and they will offer a number of practical steps everyone can take to minimize their risk of being a burglary victim. 

Admission and parking are free.

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St. Laurence to Host Solemn Mass of Remembrance for Deceased Alumni

St. Laurence High School and the Office of Alumni Relations will host its annual Solemn Mass of Remembrance honoring deceased alumni of the school at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 in the school’s library, 5556 West 77th Street, Burbank.

Father Norm Trela, from St. Symphorosa Parish and the school’s chaplain, will celebrate the Mass of the Resurrection.

A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the outdoor memorial, weather permitting. Following the liturgy, snacks and refreshments will be served.

Family, friends, and relatives of deceased alumni of St. Laurence are welcome to attend.

To make reservations or obtain more information, call Ed Kozak in the Office of Alumni Relations at 708-458-6900, extension 244.

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Coler Chiro Treats Youth Sports Injuries; Making Sure Kids Heal Completely

Two grade school basketball teams are playing a fast, hard-fought game in a local park field house. Suddenly, a boy drives to the hoop and knocks another boy to the hardwood.

Some in the crowd gasp. The boy lies flat on the court for a couple of minutes while the coaches check him for broken bones.



Dr. Joseph Coler, DC



They help him to his feet, and he sniffles and limps to the bench while fans of both teams applaud.

As a precaution, his mother drives him to a hospital emergency room to be checked out. After a few tests, the ER physician says, “No broken bones. Just makes sure he gets plenty of rest. Kids heal quickly. He’ll be fine.”

But will he?

Not necessarily, according to a prominent local chiropractor specializing in sports injuries and rehabilitation.

“The human body is generally self-healing and self-regulating; and by some measures, children do tend to heal more quickly than adults,” says Dr. Joseph Coler, DC, owner of Coler Chiropractic, 6657 West Archer. “Yet all too often in situations like this, parents see their child’s pain fade away and mistakenly assume that all is well---when in fact, their child’s spine or other bone structure has suffered a misalignment or subluxation.”

A subluxation, Dr. Coler explains, can cause irritation or pressure to the nerves exiting out of the spine---potentially leading to numerous health disorders. Additionally, the improper alignment of the spinal joints creates body imbalance, causing progressive wear and tear on the spine. If left unchecked, this condition could lead to many serious conditions---such as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.

“I have also seen cases where an undiagnosed subluxation leads to chronic headaches in children,” he adds. “That can be confusing and frightening for parents, because they don’t understand why their son or daughter is suddenly having headaches; and they don’t understand that it may be connected to an undiagnosed subluxation caused by a sports injury they thought had healed.”

Chiropractic care, minimally invasive and effective, is designed to promote optimal health by bringing bones back into proper alignment and restoring full range of motion---allowing the body to heal itself.

“I often tell patients, ‘Running water does not freeze’ when talking about the importance of maintaining full range of motion,” Dr. Coler says. “Once a child has had an injury that prevents full range of motion---and it goes undiagnosed and untreated---that boy or girl may be set up for a lifetime of related health problems."

So what should a parent do?

Dr. Coler suggests having children brought in for an initial chiropractic exam and set of x-rays to establish a baseline that will prove useful in the future. Additionally, children (like adult patients) should be seen after an injury---to determine if a subluxation has occurred and to plan a course of chiropractic care to restore optimal health by restoring full range of motion.

For more information or to make an appointment for a free initial consultation, call Coler Chiropractic at 773-229-8888.

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Local Crime Roundup

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way.

* * *

Three teenage boys were arrested for aggravated assault and criminal damage to a vehicle at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, March 29 at Ford City Mall, 7601 South Cicero.

The trio---a 13- and 14-year-old from Englewood and a 13-year-old from Chicago Lawn---allegedly threw bricks and smashed the windshield of a truck that was stopped at a stoplight near 76th and Cicero.

The truck driver, a 42-year-old man from Kankakee, was not injured because he ducked behind the console just before the windshield was smashed.

After throwing the bricks, the three fled east into the mall. When police arrived to investigate, the trio was spotted walking out of the mall's south entrance. When the truck driver pointed them out, police gave chase as the boys fled back into the mall. They ran through the mall and fled out a north entrance, where they were apprehended by police, Ford City security staff, and an off-duty police officer.

* * *

Burglars pried open the rear door of a home near 49th and Keeler on Tuesday, March 27 and stole about $300 in cash after ransacking a bedroom.

A 24-year-old resident of the home discovered the burglary when she came home at around 7:00 p.m. that evening.

* * *

A woman walking into her garage near 54th and Kilbourn at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 surprised three burglars who were in the middle of stealing her wallet from her car.

Upon seeing her, the three burglars threw open the overhead door and fled down the alley. The victim could only describe the offenders as three male Hispanics. 

* * *

All Southwest Side residents are invited to a Chicago Police burglary prevention seminar set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the first-floor auditorium of Daley College, 7500 South Pulaski.

Police officers leading the seminar will explain in detail how burglars typically operate: how they choose which home or garage to burglarize----and they will offer a number of practical steps everyone can take to minimize their risk of being a burglary victim. 

Admission and parking are free.

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