North Avenue Beach Assaults?

I've been hearing rumors that North Avenue Beach was closed do to out of control thugs and gangbangers groping and assaulting people, not due to heat, as has been widely reported. Rumors of cyclists knocked from their bikes... I know a few cyclists were picked up and dropped in the lake by some thugs early last month. The sources are somewhat suspect, but I wanted to know if anyone had heard or experienced anything. Generally my least favorite part of the trail, but I'm debating whether to avoid it completely this summer. As the CPD is undergoing regime change, we should be diligent about reporting incidents like this, even if front-line CPD staff are dismissive... so that resources get allotted appropriately.

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Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on June 6, 2011 at 12:15pm

OK, I'm in.

Solution(s)?

I don't like the idea of giving in because of these aholes.

Will mayor/chief of police give an audience?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on June 6, 2011 at 12:53pm

I'll corroborate Howard's corroboration of Anne's corroboration, and raise you one... At whatever level up the food chain you want an audience-they already know-and they're concerned.

in it to win it said:

OK, I'm in.

Solution(s)?

I don't like the idea of giving in because of these aholes.

Will mayor/chief of police give an audience?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Sak on June 6, 2011 at 1:07pm

Moving my opinion from Shay's note to here:

I don't agree with passing laws for police to declare illegal gatherings, no thanks on that one.

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 6, 2011 at 1:09pm

in it to win it,

Here's a start:

http://www.thechainlink.org/events/mayors-bicycle-advisory-5

Notice the description is "Quarterly meeting of groups that effect Chicago bicycle legislation, planning and safety." (italics mine)

in it to win it said:

OK, I'm in.

Solution(s)?

I don't like the idea of giving in because of these aholes.

Will mayor/chief of police give an audience?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 6, 2011 at 1:58pm

I have no particular confidence in the awesome crime fighting powers of CPD. I do have confidence in the awesome ability of urban politicians to drop the hammer when black teenagers threaten rich people. By all means people should keep their wits about them, steer clear of groups of dozens of surly teenagers and get in touch with their aldermen about this, but I would happily take the wrong side of 3-1 odds that there will be no significant year-over-year increase in crime in Streeterville and River North this summer.

Illegal gatherings laws won't work, by the way. Stop-and-frisk is pretty effective.

Joe Schmoe said:

CPD is like 3,500 officers short of full strength, with less than 100 cadets in the academy. Wildings and Flash mobs have been common in Streeterville and River North for 2 years now. There were 4 random attacks on people in River North on Saturday night alone. Jody Weiss turned over a CPD officer to an FBI civil rights commision when he was commish a few years back (Bill Cozzi), and ever since the cops are reticent to put their foot down and actively police. They pretty much just come when they're called now, they don't try to pro-actively break anything up. Where did this sudden awe of the crime-fighting power of the CPD suddenly come from?

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Permalink Reply by Waymond Smith on June 6, 2011 at 2:19pm

Get yourselves a pistol!! Mace is VERY unpredictable, with a shift in the wind you could mace yourself.

in it to win it said:

I saw that article too. Also, East Lakeview has some kids macing their victims then mugging them.

So, do we bikers carry mace or some other protection? Would you mount it to your frame for quick access?

Any other ideas?

Serge Lubomudrov said:

I believe this story in the today's Trib is related to this conversation.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 6, 2011 at 2:43pm

Heard about this on Public Radio today. Sounds like the new Mayor is hoppin' mad and going to do something about it.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 7, 2011 at 2:37am

Today's Trib editorial on the subject

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on June 7, 2011 at 3:31am

Crain's:

“On the retail side, in late 2010 to the first quarter of 2011, there was definitely an uptick in reports of groups of young people periodically doing this theft activity,” says John Chikow, CEO of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Assn. “It seemed to come to a boil in February, when it was starting to look like a pattern.”

At that point, he says, the retailers began “better coordinating” with the Chicago Police Department and ramping up private security. The police have also begun monitoring social media sites. As a result, multiple sources say large-scale organized theft along Michigan Avenue has decreased in the past few months.