GCA January 2013 Newsletter

7/30/2019 GCA January 2013 Newsletter

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AAA GGG EEE NNN DDD AAA

Our regular monthly meet ing

Saturday, JANUARY 26, 2013

11:00 a.m. 1:0 0 p. m.St. James Lutheran Church8 0 0 0 S . M i c h i g a n

Now accepting GCA $30 ANNUAL MEMBER DUES perfamily for 2013. One vote per membership. If youchoose to mail your dues, please add full contact infoincluding phone number and email address.

Light Refreshments Served

A community based, 501(c)(3) organization

Roosev elt K. Voni l, President7 7 3 . 6 3 5 . 6 5 0 0

8202 S. K in g Dr . , Box 507Chicago, IL 60619

REQUEST GCA E-ANNOUNCEMENTS

a n d g e t e v e n m o r e i n f o a t :

[email protected]

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Happy New Year Neighbors

Traditionally, GCA doesn't hold a meetinin December. That's why you didn't seeour newsletter last month. But before Italk about GCAs vision for 2013, I wouldlike to first thank CHATHAM FOODS for

catering our GCA Christmas Party onDecember 1st.

You can ask anyone of the 75 peoplewho attended the party if the foodserved from Chatham Foods' new grillcaf was a tasty treat. A big, partyfavorite was the "Philly Cheese Steak!"Though the chicken wings and "Hoagiesdisappeared pretty fast too!

GCA encourages everyone in our area tosupport their new grill caf. Lets makesure this community staple thrives!

Speaking of stores, we have heard froma fairly reliable source that the Jewel on87th street may be closing in Spring. Asa community, what do we have to sayabout that?

The recent gang rape of a teenage girllast month at 83rd & King Dr., al ongwith the shooting/murder of a teen boyat 84th & King Dr. and another two, teen

boys shot on January 12th near 82ndandKing means we, as a community, havegot to have "louder" and more demand-

ing voices in 2013!

CONTD ON BACK PAGE 4

1. Meeting Open & Minutes Read -2. Presidents Opening Remarks3. Treasurers Report: Arthur Turnbull4. Education Committee Report: C. Powell, Chair5. Property Tax WorkshopClaire Addams, Senior Chair6. GCA Open Mike-re: Mission(s) for 2013 community issues Alderman

attending.

GCA Newsletter Sponsored by VICKY NAIL SPA, 11 E. 83

rd

Street

Members and guests at the GCA 2012 Christmas Party


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CRIME ALERTS: FROM OCTOBER 31, 2012 TO DECMBER 23, 2012Reported to the GCA Safety & Security Committee: We cant know whats happening in ourarea unless you call us at 773.635.6500 - after you call the police. Afraid? We can pass on yourcrime info for you! GCA MEMBERS and AREA RESIDENTS: Our group has decided to test a newformat for relaying crime incident information. Only members and residents on email will receivthe FULL crime reports from local residents and the Chicago Police Reports in the beats stated. Inour distributed newsletter, you will now see a summarized report so GCA can feature more info

SUMMARIZED REPORT FROM RESIDENTS or NEWSPAPERS86th and 87th S. Vernon Block: OnWednesday, Oct. 31st, according to a neighbor who lives in the area, around 8 pm, there were about 10 to 12 males, age 13o 18 years old ganging up on two (2) males about 15 to 17 years old. I observed them yelling and taunting the two males andsurrounding them as this crowd approached from 87th &Vernon. At one point they had them on the ground and I could hearmoans. The two guys who now had no shirt or jacket on, got up and this crowd mob was following them down Vernon to 86thstreet where the it escalated again. Then the mob chased after them. They eluded the crowd for about 10 minutes. But thensomeone spotted them and chased them towards 86th and King Drive. This resident called 911 and so did a neighbor across

he street. However, the police never showed up. 86th & S. Michigan Block:A 90 year-old woman was robbed as shewalked north on 86

thand Michigan. Someone came up behind her and grabbed her purse. This incident occurred on Monday

Nov. 5th

around 2:30 pm. No other details shared with GCA. 76th & S. Calumet Block: Two guys walked up and orderehe person out of their car and drove off. The jack incident happened on, Sunday Nov. 11

tharound 10:30 pm. No other

details were given. SECURITY TIP: When coming home late at night, if at all possible, call in advance as you pull up in front ohe home to have someone in the house looking out the window.The person at home should have a cell, cordless or land phon their hand in case the car driver should get accosted. This way, the person in the house can give a description of the perps

and anycriminal vehicle(s) associated with the offense. Remember, these folks usually work in pairs or a threesome. 8500 SRhodes: Chicago Tribune Breaking News By Adam Sege, Tribune reporter 7:46 a.m. CST, Nov. 26, 2012. In what appeared to be the last shooting on Sunday, a man was shot in the left calf about 10:05 pm in the 8500 block of South RhodesAvenue in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro said. He was takeo Advocate Trinity Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. The man, whose age was not immediately releasedmay ha

been accidentally shot by a friend, police said.Alleys between Blocks of 8400 S. King Dr. & Vernon, 8400 S. KingDr. & Calumet and 8400 Prairie & Indiana:At approx. 1:45 pm on Wednesday, Dec. 12th, a resident saw a teenage boattempting to break in garages: first in the alley between 8400 S. King Dr. and Vernon; then the teen try to break into garagesat 8400 S. King Dr. and Calumet; and finally, he moved on to 8400 S. Prairie and Indiana. This neighbor said the teen boywalked from garage to garage trying the doors. The resident did call 911 three (3) times to report this and gave a descriptionof his attire and an update on his location.the resident said she lost sight of him, due to the one-way streets. I drove arounand, from a distance, I believe I saw him walk up to a house midway up the block on 85th and Michigan. He was wearing graypants and a black waist-length down jacket with a hood. My last call to 911 was around 2:13 pm. I never saw the police any-

where in the area during this entire time. CHATHAM VILLAGE 600 East 83rd St. Block: A resident from this areareports that, during the week before Dec. 19

th, a woman came to her door claiming to be from ADT. This neighbor said

hat the so-called sales rep was working under the guise to warn Chatham residents that there had been a lot of robberies inhe area. Thefake rep imposter claimed that ADT was offering a special promotion. Then the resident said that this womried to get into her unit. The imposter was wearing a hat with an ADT logo. However, the resident explained that the imposterso-called badge was turn over so it couldn't reveal her photo or name. After the resident refused to allow the imposter into herhome, this fake ADT rep noticed that the resident was watching her and did not proceed to approach any other residents in thearea of Chatham Village where this neighbor lived. But the so-called representative did move on to the Champlain block. Theresident decided to call ADT because she felt this woman was very suspicious. Once she talked to ADT, the resident saidthat there wa s no such promotion going on in our area . Call 911 and ADT ASAP if any person like the abo ve

approaches you.8200 S. St. Lawrence Block: On Wednesday, Dec 19th, a resident reported a garage break-in. Theresident said, I think they used a garage floor jack to buckle the door. The resident didn't indicate if anything was stolen.However this resident submitted a photo: it actually showed how they used a crowbar or jack to go under the door until theybent it up. If youcan afford it, get an alarm installed on your garage independent of your home. Most burglars dont

figure you will do that! 84th S. Prairie Block:A resident on this block said the following: "Thursday, Dec. 20th,approx. 6:00 pm, my son was walking from the bus stop located on 84th and King Drive, when he noticed that 6 teenage boywere standing in the alley (Southwest of Calumet street). While proceeding to Prairie Street, the boys crossed over and startefollowing him. Fortunately, my husband was waiting for my son and noticed the boys as well. When my husband walked to-wards my son, the boys ran. We have lived in this area for 15 years and know the teens that live on this block. The teen boyswere not from this area. Thankfully, my husband and son were not hurt. Have a cell phone with you at all times! Put 911on your speed dial. Should you see another situation like thisafter you have called the policecall other neighbors on youblock so they can be alerted to call the police too ASAP! More resident calls often will make 911 respond better84

thS. King

Dr. Block-another neighbor responded as a result of this crime alert: When walking my dogs a couple of weeks ago, Inoticed that the St. Clotilde security was nowhere around at the 84th & King bus stop. I used to notice them out from King Dr.back to the school during morning arrival time (haven't been by there lately in the morning), but not this day in the evening.


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:

DuSable Museum

740 East 56th PlaceMonday, January 21st10:00 am 6:00 pmText DUSABLE EVENTSTO72727 FOR MORE INFO.

SPECIAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.CELEBRATIONS at the DUSABLE MUSEUM!

Celebrate with the DuSable Museum for their annual Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. celebration on Monday, January 21st! The theme for thisyears celebration is, Nothing Without a Demand, commemoratingthe legacy of many of the iconic men and women that help to shapeand advance Civil and Human Rights throughout America. This day-long affair is filled with live performances, dance, films, and art toinspire, entertain, and educate all audiences.

This historic day begins with the LIVE SCREENING of the inaugurationof PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA for his second term as President ofthe United States of America. Our inauguration broadcast begins at11:30 a.m. Also, wal king t hr oug h the m us eu m s galle ri esw i l l b e historic personalities, as part of our new educational outreachinitiative Walking with Heroes: Notable African American figures likeIda B. Wells, Elijah J. McCoy, Jean Baptise Pointe DuSables wifeKittihawa, and more come to live! A great way to teach history to kids!

FREE FOR KIDS UNDER 6! $8 FOR MEMBERS$10 FOR NON-MEMBERS

GCA REMINDER: "You never know how strong you are until beingstrong is the only choice you have left."

:

1. Job-Related Moving Expensessee IRS Publication 521. 2. Educator ExpensesThis is foelementary and secondary educators including principles and aides. $250 deduction. See IRS Topic 458 for mor

info. 3. Higher Education ExpensesIf you paid tuition and fees for yourself, a spouse or dependent,seeIRS Publication 970. 4.Residential Energy Property Creditmake your house green and see IRS Form5695 for info. 5.Retirement Tax CreditGet a credit ofup to $2000. See IRS Form 8880. 6. Improve-ments on home for medical purposesSee IRS Publication 502. 7.State Taxes on Personal Pro-pertyExample: this deduction would apply to you if brought a new car or boat. See IRS Topic 503. 8. Child &Dependent Care CreditSee IRS Topic 602. 9. Non-cash ContributionsFor infoSee IRS Publica-tion526. 10. Work-Related Expenseswork related education expenses count too. See IRS Publication 529

PARENTS & TEENS: Reminder About CompletingFinancial Aid Forms for College Financial Aid

If youre the parent of a high school senior and looking to get some college financial aid, it is time

to fill out FAFSA the Free Application for Federal Student Aid you cant get financial aid moneyfor college if you dont fill out this standardized government form. And putting it off will actuallycost you money, since most financial aid is given out on a first come-first served basis. The FAFSArequires information about your income and tax situation from 2012 but you definitely dontwant to wait until your tax return is finished. You can estimate closely, based on last years incomeand deductions, and then amend the FAFSA form if anything changes s ignificantly in April. The

eas iest way to handle this project is to go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and click on Start a NewApplication. You dont have to do it all in one sitting, so you can save the information and create yourown private, password-protected file. And heres a word of warning: These forms are very specificBe sure to use your childs full name as it is on his or her birth certificate or Social Security card,and be sure to complete the parental information section accurately, as well.

TOP 10 COMMONLY MISSED TAX DEDUCTIONS & CREDITS


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This newsletter was printed by Copy Cat Copy'n Center, 400 East 79th Street - 773.783.8989

CEDA HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

In January, Alderman Deborah Graham (29th Ward) sponsored an ordinance to strengthencommunity actions against nuisance businesses and it passed the Committee on License &Consumer Protection. This ordinance makes an amendment to the existing ordinance.

This new amendment eliminates the overburdened community petition process for thoseaffected by a business accused of being a nuisance.

Now it will easier for our community residents to take action against problem businesses.

It also reduces the number of illegal felonies, narcotics, or weapons violations a business canhave in a 12-month period from five to three. The amendments are also designed to preventfalse allegations and offer problem businesses an opportunity to submit an operational plan tocorrect their problems.

CALL GCA AT 773.635.6500 TO HELP US IDENTIFY A NUISANCE BUSINESS. HAVE DETAILS.

New 2013Parking MeterRate Increases

On-street meteredparking areas wilincrease to $2 an

hour in most othe city

$4 an hour neaDowntown & $6.50

an hourDowntown area

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PG.-PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

2013 has to be the year for definitive actions taking place by thepowers-to-be that work for us! So GCA needs your recommenda-tions and ideas! Dont talk about it at home anymore-come to aGCA meeting and be heard-starting nowthis month!

GCA plans to make 2013 the year of the "Doing," not the"Dithering;" the year for "Demonstrations" not just the "Discus-sions;" the year for "Winning, not for "Whining; and finally the

year for "Planning" not for "Preyed-on!"

P.S. And Three Things GCA Wants You to Know About theCitys New Electric Company: 1. If you do nothing, you will beautomatically enrolled in the City's Program and save about 22.3%.

2. ComEd will still continue sending your monthly bills, respondingto outages, and delivering your electricity. 3.No one from the City'sprogram will ever come to your door or call youto ask you to switch

to a new supplierever! Roosevelt K. Vonil, GCA President

IMPORTANT: Deleterious Impact Ordinance Amendments Makes itEasier for Communities to Take Action Against NUISANCE BUSINESSES

FOR THE KIDS Polar Adventure Days at Northerly IslandHave fun while enjoying the wonders of nature at the 8th

Annual Polar Adventure

Days Saturday, Feb. 16th See Siberian Huskies,

wolves, and other wildlife animals.

Enjoy music from theOld Town School ofMusic.

Sip hot cocoa on yournature walk.

Make a nature-inspired craft!

Encounter birds ofprey from the FlintCreek WildlifeRehabilitation.

Go on guided birdhikes native to IL.

For more info, CALL:312.742.7529NortherlyIsland is located at Citysold Meigs Field.

www.chicagoparkdistrict.com


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CONTINUED FROM PG. 2 FROM POLICE REPORTS TO RESIDENTS IN BEATS: 623, 631 & 632Crime Vicinity Blocks: TRENDINGBURGLARY:More garage break-ins are occurring again. Get aseparate wireless alarm for your garage if you can afford it. DOMESTIC BATTERY IS UP: If you know ofsomeone, or see a female neighbor, oreven an elderly person you suspect is being abused, please callCONNECTIONS FOR ABUSED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN at 773.278.4566.All calls or services atCAWC are free & confidential. CTA: El and Bus stop incidents way up!LARCENY/THEFT: increasing inincidents at local stores! ROBBERIES are up and not just in evening hours. VANDALISM:More inci-dents and who knows why this is suddenly occurring?

AGGRAVATED ASSAULTARMED /AGGRAVATED HAND-GUN/OTHER DANGEROUS WEAPON7900 block ofS. State, Sidewalk, Tue. Nov 6 @ 10 p.m.; 8300 block of St. Lawrence, School/Public Grounds, Thur. Nov 15 @ 7:45 a.m.;8500 block of S. Rhodes, Residence, Sun. Nov 25 @ 10:05 p.m.; 8300 block of St. Lawrence, School/Public Grounds, TueNov 27 @ 1 p.m,; 8500 block of S. Cottage Grove, Small Retail Store, Sun. Dec 2 @ 5 p.m. AGGRAVATED KNIFE/ CUT-

TING INSTRUMENT: 7600 block of S. King Dr., Residence Porch/Hallway, Sat. Nov 3 @ 3:36 a.m.; 8700 block of S. KingDr., Alley, Wed. Nov 21 @ 3:40 a.m. AGGRAVATED/OTHER: 400 block of E. 81st St.,Agg. PO/Hands/Serious Injury/

Street, Sun. Dec 23 @ 11:20 p.m. BURGLARYFORCIBLE/UNLAWFUL ENTRY/APT: Most break-ins occur in theblocks of E. 75

thStreet, E. 78

thstreet, E. 80

thstreet and the 7700 block of S. Prairie and 7800 block of S. State. FORCIBLE

/UNLAWFUL ENTRY / RESIDENCE OR GARAGE: The blocks of 81st

& 82nd

and St. Lawrence had multiple garage break-ins. While 7600 block of S. Prairie, 100 block of E. 78

thSt, 7900 block of S. Indiana, 600 block of E. 80

thSt., 8600 block of S

Rhodes & 400 block of E. 87th

Pl. also had incidents. FORCIBLE /UNLAWFUL ENTRY/RESTAURANT OR BUSINESS:Restaurants on the 200 block of E. 75

thSt. and 400 block of E. 87

thSt. had break-ins. While a church on the 8200 block of

S. State and a small store on the 200 block of E. 87th

also got burglarized. HOME INVASION: 7700 block of S. Michigan,

Residence, Wed. Dec 5 @ 3:55 a.m. CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT/SEX OFFENSES CRIMINAL SEXUALABUSE: With the exception of the horrendous gang rape incident of a young teen girl on 83

rdand King Drive (referred to as

an Aggravated/ Handgun at a Residence on the 400 block of E. 83rd St., Fri. Dec 21 @ 8 p.m.), most incidents happenedduring this time period inside residences. This could either be forced attacks from dates, friends or family members and not

just intruders. CTA CRIMES79th street el stop is getting notorious and its not just in the evening anymoreDaytime incidents are on the rise! Please tell your children and anyone else you know riding the el to be extremelycautious. BUS STOP INCIDENTS Robbery/Strongarm/Bus Stop: 8300 block of S. King Dr., Fri. Nov 16 @ 10:50 a.m.;8200 block of Cottage Grove; Tue. Nov 27 @ 5:50 pm.; 0 block of W. 79

thSt.; Tue. Dec 11 @ 4:25 p.m.; 8700 block of

Cottage Grove; Theft/Pocket Picking/Bus, Wed. Dec 12 @ 5:30 p.m., 8000 block of Cottage Grove, Larceny Theft/BusStop, Fri. Dec 14 @ 5:50 a.m.; Pocket Picking/Bus: 7900 block of S. State, Mon. Dec 17 @ 1:30 p.m.; Criminal Trespass/

Bus Stop 0 block of W. 79th

St., Wed. Dec 19 @ 6:10 p.m. LARCENY/THEFT64 incidents happened betweenNovember 23

rdto December 23

rd.. Commercial spots like car wash, bank, medical/dental office, gas stations, drug stores,

convenience stores and business office have been hitespecially public garages in our area. Four (4) incidents occurred

at homes. MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTAUTOPARKING LOT/ GARAGE: 8700 S. Cottage block lot/garage was hit.AUTOSTREET: There were 23 incidents of cars being stolen from November to December. ROBBERYAGGRAVATED:7500 block of S. Wabash, Street, Sun. Nov 18 @ 11:20 p.m.; 0 block of E. 87th St., Street, Sat. Nov 24@ 12:40 p.m. ARMED HANDGUN: 8100 block of S. King Dr., Sidewalk, Thur. Nov 1 @ 7:35 p.m.; 0 block of E. 87th St.,Restaurant, Fri. Nov 2 @ 5:47 a.m.; 8700 block of S. Cottage Grove, Sidewalk, Fri. Nov 2 @ 5:30 p.m.; 8000 block of S.Eberhart, Sat. Nov 10 @ 6:35 p.m.; 0 block of E. 83

rdPl., Street, Tue. Nov 13 @ 12:50 a.m.; 8000 block of S. Cottage

Grove, Residence Porch/Hallway, Thur. Nov 15 @ 10:15 p.m.; 7600 block of S. Indiana, Sidewalk, Mon. Nov 26 @ 3:15a.m.; 0 block of E. 79

thSt., Small Retail Store, Fri. Nov 30 @ 3:05 p.m.; 8800 block of S. Calumet, Sidewalk, Fri. Dec 7 @

2:54 p.m.; 8300 block of S. King Dr., Small Retail Store, Sun. Dec 9 @ 7:15 p.m.; 300 block of E. 75th

St., Sidewalk, Tue.Dec 11 @ 2:23 a.m.; 8600 block of S. Cottage Grove, Parking Lot/Garage, Tue. Dec 11 @ 9:35 p.m.; 7800 block of S.Prairie, School/Public Grounds,Wed. Dec 19 @ 4:17 p.m. STRONGARM NO WEAPON: 7900 block of S. State St.,Sidewalk, Sat. Nov 3 @ 9:30 p.m.; 7900 block of S. Wabash, Sidewalk, Fri. Nov 9 @ 1 p.m.; 8000 block of S. CottageGrove, Sat. Nov 10 @ 11:10 a.m.; 7900 block of S. State St., Street, Mon. Nov 26 @ 8:30 a.m.; 8400 block of S. King Dr.,

Sidewalk, Tue. Nov 27 @ 4:45 p.m.; 7900 block of S. King Dr., Sidewalk, Sun. Dec 9 @ 8:15 p.m.; 7900 block of S. State,Sidewalk, Wed. Dec 12 @ 9:30 p.m.; 300 block of E. 75

thSt., Sidewalk, Sun. Dec 16 @ 12:55 p.m.; 7500 block of S. King

Dr., Sidewalk, Fri. Dec 21 @ 11:50 p.m. VEHICULAR HIJACKING: 7600 block of S. Calumet,Aggravated, Sun. Nov 11@ 10:36 p.m.; 8400 block of S. Vernon, Street, Tue. Nov 13 @ 10 p.m.; 8300 block of S Cottage Grove, Sat. Dec 15 @

2:20 p.m. VANDALISMincreasing! There were 10 incidents from mid-November through December. Dont for-get to lock gates: front and back! Incidents are occurring from 80

thto 83

rdstreet on blocks of Calumet, Eberhart, Rhodes,

State and Wabash in yards, on vehicles and property. Other areas hit are E. 82nd

, E. 83rd

and E. 84th

plus the 7700 block ofS. Indiana.

IF YOU LIKE GCAS EFFORTS TO KEEP YOU INFORMED VIA OUR NEWSLETTERS AND EMAILANNOUNCEMENTS and NOW EVEN MORE PROGRAMS & EVENTS for 2013, THEN

PLEASE, WE NEED YOUR MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT!

GCA January 2013 Newsletter

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