Albany Park Area/Safety (Troy, Monticello: apartments, crime, schools)

[JP465]

Hi all -

I was wondering what the area is like in Albany Park near Ainslie and North Central? Looking at a place in the area and wanted to see what its like in terms of safety at night/day. As well as parking (cars on streets and such). As far as walking to a main street to catch a cab - is this area usually littered with cabs or is it best to always call?

Also does anyone know if this area requires permit parking?

About us:
2 white females 22/23
1 white male 25

[Alacran]

North central?
do you mean central park?

I don't remember that exact street if permit is necessary. I believe not.

In the daytime it's fine. Night time you can have some sketchiness. Vandalism. Some hooligans being loudmouths etc.

It's not littered with cabs, but they aren't uncommon.

You probably already know the demographics I assume.

Used to live there. I don't think you should have problems.
In any city, just be aware there's always a chance of something happening.

[JP465]

yes central park - i was sidetracked when mentioning that

[Thepreacherswife]

I live a few blocks west near Argyle and Pulaski. Ainslie/Central Park is near a gang boundary (east of Monticello is the Spanish Gangsta Disciples; west of Monticello is Spanish Cobras) so you see some occasional late night activity but it's generally limited to tagging on some buildings on Ainslie near Monticello. Fine during the day and usually fine during the evening, but if you're walking from the Brown Line at night it's probably smarter in general to stay on Lawrence.

If you know you are definitely going to need a cab, especially on the weekends or late at night, I would phone for one. They're not as plentiful as in other areas of the city.

I would avoid parking on Central Park unless I had to; it gets a lot of cut-through traffic and it's two-way, so chances of getting dinged are pretty good. Ainslie doesn't have permit parking IIRC but I could be mistaken.

[JP465]

im now looking at a place further east at Troy and Carmen - how would you recommend this area?

[C. Maurio]

Lots of Hispanic gangs over there. Generally they don't bother non gang people but they spray lots of graffitti. OK in the day but be careful after dark.

[Thepreacherswife]

Originally Posted by JP465

im now looking at a place further east at Troy and Carmen - how would you recommend this area?

It's OK (lots of North Park students), but south of Argyle on Troy and Albany there's still plenty of gang activity.

[C. Maurio]

Originally Posted by Thepreacherswife

It's OK (lots of North Park students), but south of Argyle on Troy and Albany there's still plenty of gang activity.

That is true but I think that area is turfed to the Latin Kings. The LKs are a more established and older gang with a stable older hierarchy that doesn't like too much "attention" from the media or the cops so the members of that organization generally do not bother civilians or engage in acts against non gang members. They largely deal drugs and, if they do kill somebody, it is almost always another gang member who really violated them. They do not generally kill rival gang members just for walking through their turf or people for wearing the wrong colors. But if they catch them "doing business" or tagging, they will kill them. So you would not likely ever be bothered by the LKs.

[Alacran]

Carmen and troy is good.
That was my block.
You have the river and park right there.

Lots of those apartments on Carmen itself are associated with the schools.

And yeah there's lks.
A couple have been killed on troy the past few years. But all gang members.

There's a camera there anyway

[JP465]

i guess thats a little nicer knowing that - ive been looking at ClearMap and spotcrime and really havent liked what ive seen - i did stop by and talk to two workers by the garage (i assume NPU facility workers) and they said the area wasnt too bad

they did suggest i walk back around down carmen to kedzie to get to the brown line