Rahm's scorched earth policy to beat crime: Chicago will spend $4 million to demolish as many as 200 vacant and crumbling buildings located in high-crime areas
Violence in Chicago has reached devastating proportions and Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to put a stop to crimes by removing the very buildings where criminals congregate.
In a new initiative announced Monday, Mayor Emanuel said that the city would be spending $4million to to demolish as many as 200 vacant buildings.
The city will also shutter dozens of businesses that serve as hotbeds for illegal activities, which the Mayor called 'cancers on our communities.'
The city's plan to identify, secure and demolish vacant buildings that have been overtaken by gangs will be a joint effort between the Mayor's office, the police department and the Department of buildings.
'With these actions we are sending a clear message to gang members: you will find no shelter in the City of Chicago,' Mayor Emanuel said in a statement. 'Whether it is a vacant building or a liquor store, we are committed to closing down cancers on our communities that serve as magnets for crime and gang activity.'
So far, 200 vacant buildings have been identified for possible demolition because of structural instability and their location in high-crime areas.
Buildings that are structurally secure will be boarded up and protected so they can eventually be 'put to good use.' The city will focus on structures in the 7th, 11th, 3rd, 8th, and 10th districts of Chicago and will mirror the city's recent campaign against businesses that serve gang-related activities.
The business 'watch list' has so far identified 37 businesses that are flagged for investigation and possibly closure. One business, AM Dollar, had its license revoked last week and will be closed following repeated violations of selling individual cigarettes, or loosies, and failing to empty their garbage carts. Two other businesses, Get Connected and Nickel Liquors, have been flagged after officers found weapons in the stores. They were also identified as 'places that offer protection and congregation for gang members.'
The initiatives come at the same time that the murder rate in Chicago has jumped 30 per cent, compared to a nationwide decline of 6 per cent. So far this year, 275 people have been murdered in Chicago and most of the killings have been gang-related.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nt-crumbling-buildings.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
I wonder if they informed Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton that they plan to destroy all those homes & businesses in minority neighborhoods?
Violence in Chicago has reached devastating proportions and Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to put a stop to crimes by removing the very buildings where criminals congregate.
In a new initiative announced Monday, Mayor Emanuel said that the city would be spending $4million to to demolish as many as 200 vacant buildings.
The city will also shutter dozens of businesses that serve as hotbeds for illegal activities, which the Mayor called 'cancers on our communities.'
The city's plan to identify, secure and demolish vacant buildings that have been overtaken by gangs will be a joint effort between the Mayor's office, the police department and the Department of buildings.
'With these actions we are sending a clear message to gang members: you will find no shelter in the City of Chicago,' Mayor Emanuel said in a statement. 'Whether it is a vacant building or a liquor store, we are committed to closing down cancers on our communities that serve as magnets for crime and gang activity.'
So far, 200 vacant buildings have been identified for possible demolition because of structural instability and their location in high-crime areas.
Buildings that are structurally secure will be boarded up and protected so they can eventually be 'put to good use.' The city will focus on structures in the 7th, 11th, 3rd, 8th, and 10th districts of Chicago and will mirror the city's recent campaign against businesses that serve gang-related activities.
The business 'watch list' has so far identified 37 businesses that are flagged for investigation and possibly closure. One business, AM Dollar, had its license revoked last week and will be closed following repeated violations of selling individual cigarettes, or loosies, and failing to empty their garbage carts. Two other businesses, Get Connected and Nickel Liquors, have been flagged after officers found weapons in the stores. They were also identified as 'places that offer protection and congregation for gang members.'
The initiatives come at the same time that the murder rate in Chicago has jumped 30 per cent, compared to a nationwide decline of 6 per cent. So far this year, 275 people have been murdered in Chicago and most of the killings have been gang-related.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...nt-crumbling-buildings.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
I wonder if they informed Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton that they plan to destroy all those homes & businesses in minority neighborhoods?
