Clear-Ridge Historical Society's Tour a Sold-Out Success; More Events Planned

The Southwest Chicago Post tagged along for the first 25 minutes or so of a three-hour tour of Garfield Ridge hosted recently by the Clear-Ridge Historical Society.

Video highlights are posted on the Southwest Chicago Post's channel on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/SouthwestChicagoPost

The tour offered a wealth of information on the people and events that helped make Garfield Ridge the unique and interesting place it is.

Discussed and/or viewed were the Chicago Portage, remnants of Mud Lake, Long John Wentworth's "Summit" farm at Archer and Neva, a church that was a key part of Garfield Ridge's little-known Dutch heritage, remnants of the time when Garfield Ridge was a "gated" community, the quirky "house in the alley" and much more.

This was the first such tour presented by the group, and it was sold out.

More bus tours are planned, along with the group's regular meetings at the Clearing Branch Library.

Check out the group's page on Facebook for updates---as well as right here in the online pages of the Southwest Chicago Post.

Congratulations and thanks to the Clear-Ridge Historical Society for bringing history alive for all of us on the Southwest Side...

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Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---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. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

An 18-year-old Garfield Ridge man has been arrested and charged in connection with a strong-arm robbery that occurred at 12:25 a.m. Friday, June 15.

Nicholas Ivy

Nicholas Ivy is allegedly one of four men who robbed a 20-year-old Clearing man as he was walking near 58th and Nashville. The victim told police that Ivy and another man held him while a third attacker punched him in the face and a fourth attacker kicked him in the ribs.

After beating the victim, the attackers went through his pockets, stole $30 cash and fled west on 58th Street. The victim then went to a house near 58th and Natoma, asked for help and called 911.


Police sent a "flash" message with a description of the attackers---described as white men ages 18-21, similar height and weight. A police unit spotted Ivy near his home at 57th and Melvina, apprehended him and brought him back to the crime scene---where the victim identified him as one of his attackers.

* * *

Two thugs made off with $20 after robbing the Sunview grocery store, 6110 West 63rd Street, at 8:05 p.m. Thursday, June 14.

A 23-year-old cashier told police that two men entered the store and attempted to buy a bag of Doritos corn chips, but claimed they didn't have enough money. They left the store, but came back a short time later to buy the chips. As the transaction was nearly complete, one of the men pointed a black pistol at the cashier and walked behind the counter, ordering her out of the way as he went through the cash drawer. The other man acted as a look out.

The grocery store's owner, a 27-year-old man, was in the back of the store at the time. He told police he heard a loud noise; and when he walked to the front of the store to investigate, the criminals ran out the front foor and fled east on 63rd Street.

The cashier described one robber as a white man, 5'9 to 5'11 and 160-180 pounds, 18-20 years old, medium complexion. She described the other as a white Hispanic man, 5'6 to 5'8 and 200-230 pounds, with black hair and a dark complexion. One of the two has a tattoo on his neck, according to the cashier.

* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 49th and Leamington, but were apparently frightened off and failed to steal anything inside.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14. He told police he heard a loud noise in his back yard and went out to investigate. He also claimed that his neighbor's garage was recently burglarized and that a street gang has been tagging garages in the area.

* * *

A 24-year-old West Lawn man was beaten with a bottle at 1:45 a.m. Saturday,June 16 on the sidewalk in front of 3725 West 59th Street.

He and his girlfriend, a 24-year-old Back of the Yards woman, were walking down the street when they were approached by a man who asked if the victim is a gang member. When the victim denied being in a gang, the attacked struck him in the face with a bottle before fleeing.

The victim was taken by Chicago Fire Department ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released.


The victim described his attacker as a black Hispanic man, 25 years old, 5'5 and 180 pounds.

* * *

An 18-year-old Gage Park woman riding in the back seat of her boyfriend's car was injured when a group of thugs used an aluminum baseball bat to smash the window next to her and hit her in the back of the head.

At about 10:00 p.m. Friday, June 15, the car was traveling south on Hamlin and stopped at a stop sign at 57th Street. A group of hoodlums approached, shouting gang slogans and demanding to know her gang affiliation. When the boyfriend said she was not involved with any gangs, the attack began.

The boyfriend drove the victim to Holy Cross Hospital, where she was treated and released. The man who swung the bat was described as a white Hispanic man, 18-20 years old, 5'4 and 150 pounds, wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans.

* * *

An 18-year-old gang banger from West Lawn was beaten by thugs from a rival gang at 2:27 a.m. Sunday, June 17 on the street in front of 3659 West 64th Place.

The victim told police he and his friend---also a 22-year-old gang member from West Lawn---were riding home when they began to be chased by men in a newer red Dodge Durango SUV, which rammed the victim's vehicle and forced it to stop.

Several men jumped out and ran to the victim's vehicle, dragging him out and beating him with their hands and a baseball bat. They then got back in their SUV and drove away. The victim said his attackers were from a rival gang.

The victim was transported by Chicago Fire Department ambulance to Christ Hospital and Medical Center. His friend described the attacker only as a white Hispanic man, 18-22 years old. Further, police say, the friend refused to cooperate with the traffic crash investigation.

* * *

A 27-year-old West Lawn man was robbed of his wallet and debit card just outside the Chase Bank ATM booth at 5687 South Archer, at 1:50 a.m. Sunday, June 17.

A robber walked up to him, drew a black handgun and demanded his wallet and card. He then fled north on Latrobe. The criminal was described as a white man, 30-35 years old, 5'6 and 180 pounds, fair complexion, wearing a blue, Chicago Cubs hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans, and with his face obscured by a white bandana.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 62nd and Komensky and stole a laptop computer belonging to BMO Harris Bank.  The crime was discovered by a 31-year-old woman living at the address, at 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 15. She is an employee of BMO Harris and told police that no sensitive information was stored on the computer.


There was no sign of forced entry.

* * *

An 18-year-old Archer Heights man who declined to lend his cell phone to a trio of thugs was hit in the back of the head twice with a crowbar.

The attack occurred at the Shell gas station at 5500 South Pulaski at 4:30 a.m. Thursday, June 14. The victim's family drove him to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released. He described the three criminals as black men, 18-21 years old, 5'7 to 5'9, brown eyes and black hair.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 61st and McVicker and stole a set of golf clubs, a lawn mower, two car rims, and two Coach purses. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 27-year-old woman, at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 13. There was no sign of forced entry, and the victim told police she suspects the crime was committed by an ex-boyfriend who has a key to the garage, and against whom she has an order of protection.

* * *

Burglars entered an unlocked side window of a home near 52nd and Ridgeway and stole a laptop computer, a digital camera, an iPod touch, two Nintendo DS game consoles, 10 Nintendo video games, assorted gold jewelry, and a power tool set.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 39-year-old man, at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, when he returned home and saw the front door open.

* * *

Burglars broke into a garage near 62nd and Keeler and stole a lawn mower, a leaf blower, a weed trimmer, two tool boxes with tools, four auto ties, three patio tables, five patio chairs, a punching bag and an automatic garage door opener.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old man, at noon Tuesday, June 12.

* * *

Burglars broke through the rear door of a home near 65th Place and Springfield and stole  a laptop computer, a cell phone, assorted jewelry and $600 in cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 27-year-old woman, at 3:00 p.m. Friday June 15, when she returned from shopping and noticed her home "messed up," although she did not initially suspect a burglary. She cleaned up the mess and only later realized that items were missing.

Police were told by a neighbor that she has seen a man walking through a gangway with a laptop computer and then get into a black car with two others. The car then headed east, in reverse, toward Springfield. She described the men as three white Hispanics, 19-21 years old.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 51st and Central and stole a welding machine, a power drill, a power saw, a weed trimmer, and a car radio (from the car parked inside).


The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old man, at 3:00 a.m. Thursday, June 14. There was no sign of forced entry.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 48th and Kilpatrick and stole a set of chrome wheels. They also smashed the front passenger window of a 2002 black, four-door Lincoln Continental parked in the garage and stole the car's stereo.


The victim, a 26-year-old man, was alerted to the crime at 5:00 a.m. Thursday, June 14 by a neighbor who told him that his overhead door was open.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 811 (see map above), come to Good Shepherd Church, 5556 South Merrimac, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 and attend your monthly CAPS meeting. If you live in Beat 813 or 833, come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

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Clearing Night Force Patrols Preventing Crime, Fighting Blight in Neighborhood

Earlier this month, the Southwest Chicago Post was invited to ride along with a patrol conducted by the Clearing Night Force neighborhood watch group.

We were with them briefly, on the first few stops of their evening patrol, as they checked out local schools and parks, a commercial/industrial area near the western edge of the neighborhood, a hot spot near the Belt Railway tracks that is a concern because of underage drinking, and other places.


Video highlights of our ride-along are posted on the Southwest Chicago Post's YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/SouthwestChicagoPost

A little background on the group can be found here:

http://www.swchicagopost.com/2012/04/clearing-night-force-still-making.html

We thank the Clearing Night Force for allowing us to tag along, and we salute them for working so diligently as unpaid volunteers to help make Clearing a safer and better place for all. Truly, they are the few doing the work of the many.

Want to join the group and be an extra set of eyes and ears for the police? Attend the next CAPS Beat 812 meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 at the Clearing Branch Library, 6423 West 63rd Place.

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Friends of the Chicago Portage Tell City's "Birth Story" on Walking Tour

The Southwest Chicago Post tagged along for the first 40 minutes of a free walking tour of the Chicago Portage National Historic Site, 4800 South Harlem, on Saturday, June 2.

Video we shot is posted on the Southwest Chicago Post's YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com/SouthwestChicagoPost.

Commemorative statue at the Chicago Portage.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Chicago Portage historical group, the tour was led by veteran tour guide Jeff Carter, who talked about the “Birth Story of Chicago” from the geological beginnings of the Portage to how it is still functioning in Chicago today.


The tour was approximately a half mile in length on a gravel path through the woods. It took about two hours.

One of only two national historic sites in Illinois, the Chicago Portage National Historic site is said to be the only place where people today can stand on the same ground walked by all the early explorers, early settlers and creators of Chicago.

The late Chicago Tribune columnist John Husar, after touring the site, called it “Our sacred ground."

The group conducts regular tours of the site. To learn details about future events, visit www.chicagoportage.org.

Friends of the Chicago Portage promotes the historic interpretation, ecological restoration and appropriate development of the Chicago Portage National Historic Site through volunteer advocacy, public events and other projects that raise public awareness of the site’s history and significance.

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Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---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. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

A 16-year-old girl from the Ashburn neighborhood was arrested shortly after 5:00 a.m. Sunday, June 10 after she allegedly damaged the door handle of an SUV belonging to a Chicago Police officer.

The off-duty officer was walking his dog near 68th and Komensky when he saw a girl trying the door handles on cars and trucks parked on the block. The girl had a glove on her right hand; and according to the officer, she yanked so hard on the passenger front door handle of his SUV, she damaged it.

When he confronted her and displayed his CPD star, the offender fled on foot. Police units responding saw her drop her glove in the alley behind 6811 South Komensky. They apprehended her at 69th and Komensky and brought her back to 68th Street, where she was positively identified by the off-duty officer.

* * *

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near Archer and Leamington and stole two bicycles, assorted power tools and two pairs of shoes. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 51-year-old man, at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 12.

* * *

Burglars pushed through a back window of a home near 65th and Lawndale and stole an envelope containing $4,200 cash, according to the 39-year-old woman who owns the home.

The burglary was discovered by an 18-year-old man who lives at the address, who told police that he arrived home at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday,June 12 to discover the back door and rear window open, the cash missing, and several valuables stacked on the back porch, including two laptop computers, a video camera and a stereo.

* * *

Burglars forced open a back window of a home near 76th Place and Hamlin and stole a Nintendo DS video game console, assorted DVDs, a video camera, assorted tools, assorted jewelry, and $600 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday,June 12.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the back door of a home near 86th and Kedvale and stole two TVs. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 37-year-old man, when he came home from work at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 52nd and Harding and stole a DVD player, a Nintendo Wii video game console, a Sony PlayStation 3 video game system, and assorted items of jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim,  a 41-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 to find her back door open and her dog wandering around the yard.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 811 (see map above), come to Good Shepherd Church, 5556 South Merrimac, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 and attend your monthly CAPS meeting. If you live in Beat 813 or 833, come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

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Clearing Civic League Applauds Unity Pitch from Garfield Ridge Watch Leader

The people of Garfield Ridge and Clearing have much in common and should continue to work together to prevent crime and improve their neighborhoods, members of the Clearing Civic League were told on Tuesday.

GRNW President Al Cacciottolo.

“We are brothers and sisters divided only by a set of railroad tracks,” said Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch (GRNW) President Al Cacciottolo, the featured guest speaker at the CCL’s June meeting, held at the Hale Park Fieldhouse. About 30 people were in attendance.

Cacciottolo outlined the history of the GRNW, noting that it was founded about three years ago in the wake of an incident that occurred near Archer and Nashville, when several gang members beat a local teenager.

“As these punks ran away, one of them ran right through the back yard of a woman who today is our team leader,” Cacciottolo related. “It was a real wake-up call for our neighborhood, and it was at that point we stood up and said we’re not going to let this happen to us.”

He claimed that today, after years of GRNW diligence and vigilance, as well as working closely with Eighth District Police, “our organization is 85 members strong…and crime in our area is down 30 to 40 percent,” prompting spontaneous applause from the audience.

Cacciottolo emphasized that the GRNW owes a debt of gratitude to the Clearing Night Force neighborhood watch group, established in 1996 and which the GRNW and other neighborhood watch groups in the city have emulated. “They gave us good advice and showed us the way. We saw how successful they were, and we wanted to do the same.”

He also credited Alderman Michael R. Zalewski (23^rd) and his staff for providing ongoing assistance and encouragement.

He outlined several GRNW initiatives to fight crime and blight. The newest was announced Monday: a “good neighbor” program that will link Garfield Ridge senior citizens---as well as younger people in financial need---with donated neighbor-to-neighbor services to help keep homes and other property in good shape.

“In any community, there are always a few homes that fall into disrepair over time,” Cacciottolo said. “Neighbors complain and demand that the city come out and slap fines on people. But I know that the aldermen don’t want to do that; because in many cases, these are elderly people who want to do the right thing, but just need a hand. We’re going to try and provide that help.”

He invited everyone to visit the GRNW website (garfieldridgenw.com) to learn more about the group.

The GRNW was praised at the meeting by Clearing Night Force member Mary Shilney for working closely and effectively with her group---and even patrolling a hard-to-reach strip of Clearing that is difficult to reach because of railroad tracks.

CCL Vice President (and incoming President) Joe Rice thanked Cacciottolo and encouraged him to visit other groups in Clearing to spread the good news about the GRNW.

President Zilka (left) passes gavel to Vice President Rice.

Also at the meeting, CCL members and others feted outgoing President Richard Zilka for his 29 years of service as leader of the group. Laudatory legislative resolutions were read aloud, gifts were presented, cake was served, and two local politicians were on hand to offer personal congratulations: Congressman Daniel W. Lipinski (D-3^rd) and Alderman Marty Quinn (13^th).

Lipinski called Zilka “a tireless fighter for the community” and credited Zilka’s wife of 54 years, Marie Zilka, for “her important role” in her husband's success and the success of the CCL.

Lipinski recapped several major battles fought by Zilka over the years to improve Clearing and assessed the present day. “Things aren’t very good; well, things aren’t perfect here now. But despite all the troubles, it’s still a good place to live and raise a family,” added Lipinski, who lives in suburban Western Springs.

The group also congratulated and applauded outgoing Recording Secretary Rose Ann McInerney for her 12 years of service to the organization. The CCL is seeking a successor.

There were also assorted questions from the group---mostly directed at Quinn---relating to the poor condition of the 63^rd Street roadway from Central to Harlem, complaints about work done by utility companies, sewer and water questions, and more.

The Clearing Civic League will take its annual summer break and resume monthly meetings in September, with Rice at the helm. Zilka is expected to remain in the mix, in a kind of advisory “emeritus” role, Rice said.

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Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---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. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

A 29-year-old Englewood man has been accused of aggravated robbery in connection with an incident that occurred at 4:01 a.m. Saturday, June 9 at the Aloha Motel, 8515 South Cicero.

Terry Edwards

According to police, Terry Edwards is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4, 155 West 51st Street, on Friday, June 15

A 21-year-old prostitute from Wausau, Wisconsin, while staying at the motel for a couple of days, became acquainted with Edwards' 29-year-old girlfriend, also a prostitute at the motel. She invited Edwards' girlfriend to hang out with her in her room. A short time later, Edwards allegedly burst into the room, his face partially covered by a white t-shirt. He then allegedly punched the victim in the arm, threw her on the bed, jumped on top of her, fondled her breasts and demanded that she hand over all her money---or he would rape her and shoot her to death.

The victim said she handed over $90 cash to Edwards, and then the two left the room to return to their room.

The victim contacted the motel manager and police. Both Chicago and Burbank police were dispatched to the scene. According to police, Edwards and his girlfriend refused to let them in their room; so police obtained a key and consent to enter from the motel manager on duty. Edwards and his girlfriend still attempted to block the door, police said, but they gained access and arrested Edwards. Neither a weapon nor the $90 allegedly stolen was found by police.

* * *

A 19-year-old West Lawn woman was a victim of a strong-arm robbery on the CTA Orange Line at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, June 9.

According to the woman, she was on the train when a man approached her, punched her in the chest, stole her cell phone and CTA monthly pass, and then got off at the Kedzie Avenue stop and fled.

She described the robber as a black man, 23 years old, 5'8 and 160 pounds, brown eyes, short black hair, dark complexion, and wearing a red plaid shirt and jeans.

* * *

Burglars entered an unlocked side window of an apartment near 63rd and Kostner and stole a TV set. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 51-year-old man, when he came from work at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, June 9.

* * *

Burglars removed a window air conditioner from a back window of a home near 57th Place and Lawndale and stole a laptop computer, assorted jewelry and $400 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old man, at noon Thursday, June 8.

Police investigating the crime were told by neighbors that they had earlier seen two white Hispanic men, about 30 years old, knocking on doors in the area.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map above), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 and attend your monthly CAPS meeting. If you live in Beat 814, come to Vittum Park at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 14. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

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