Gang Graffiti in Lakeview (Chicago, Clifton: neighborhood, school, gangs)

[grantsi]

Has anyone noticed a sudden spike in gang graffiti in west Lakeview. I woke up this morning to various symbols at the corner of Clifton and Belmont and Racine and Belmont. Over the past few weeks, I've seen a lot more. I don't know whats going on, but I don't like it. I've contacted Tom Tunney and requested that it be cleaned off. By the way, I know it happens between midnight and 6am as I walk the dog late and get up early,

[glass_of_merlot]

How do you recognize gang graffiti from regular "rebellions" teenager graffiti?

[Chicago60614]

It's cause the city cut the number of crews to remove it so it takes a lot longer to get down. Same thing happening everywhere.

[grantsi]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

How do you recognize gang graffiti from regular "rebellions" teenager graffiti?

To be honest, I do not know the difference. I can't make sense of any of it and assume the squiggles / random shapes are some sort of sign. I do not understand why any teenager feels that a good way of being "rebellious" is defacing someone's property, that said, I would be thrilled if that was the case. If some chickens**t kid wants to make a mess of my house, that is fine - one time his/her rebellion will result in a trip to the police station or worse. But if my street corner is becoming a hotbed of activity for gangbangers, that is a serious problem that I ( and my neighbours ) need to be aware of ( since we have kids / dogs / elderly parents who are offen out late at night ).

[grantsi]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

It's cause the city cut the number of crews to remove it so it takes a lot longer to get down. Same thing happening everywhere.

Time for someone to invent "Dry erase" bricks...that way we could just wipe our walls down every morning ( i'm joking of course )

[Chi-town Native]

I'm right at that corner at least 50% of the week, and I don't see any actual "gangbanging," but, the Gangster Disciples claim a pretty large area around Belmont & Sheffield. I suspect that means they get some kind of tribute from the pimps/prostitutes, and relates to large distribution/drug turf.

All I'll say to that is, far better to have one, established gang "in charge" as opposed to being in a hotly-contested area where two (or more) gangs are duking it out.

[Chi-town Native]

my link didn't take, whoops:

Cook County Gangs: Symbols, Colors & Hand Signs | NBC Chicago

[ CHICAGOGANGS.ORG ] MAIN MENU

[grantsi]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

I'm right at that corner at least 50% of the week, and I don't see any actual "gangbanging," but, the Gangster Disciples claim a pretty large area around Belmont & Sheffield. I suspect that means they get some kind of tribute from the pimps/prostitutes, and relates to large distribution/drug turf.

All I'll say to that is, far better to have one, established gang "in charge" as opposed to being in a hotly-contested area where two (or more) gangs are duking it out.

You are absolutely correct - I don't actually see "gangbanging" and will correct myself right now. To be honest, other than the graffiti ( which still doesn't make sense even after looking at the link to NBC ), there are only 2 individuals I suspect as gang members. One drives a tan Ford Explorer with 3 spoke shiny "rims" and a puerto rican flag hanging from the mirror and the other drives a Buick La Sable (?) with big rims and constant booming bass. They like to drive VERY slowly down belmont - one always goes left on Clifton, the other drives up to Racine, goes north, then east on school and south on clifton. I dislike both of them without even knowing them - I guess its a case of judging a book by its cover but thats fine with me.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by grantsi

You are absolutely correct - I don't actually see "gangbanging" and will correct myself right now. To be honest, other than the graffiti ( which still doesn't make sense even after looking at the link to NBC ), there are only 2 individuals I suspect as gang members. One drives a tan Ford Explorer with 3 spoke shiny "rims" and a puerto rican flag hanging from the mirror and the other drives a Buick La Sable (?) with big rims and constant booming bass. They like to drive VERY slowly down belmont - one always goes left on Clifton, the other drives up to Racine, goes north, then east on school and south on clifton. I dislike both of them without even knowing them - I guess its a case of judging a book by its cover but thats fine with me.

Could just be a buncha punks who are afraid to strut about in their own neighborhood. You do that further out west where I am and you may raise the wrong person's eyebrows.

[NARFALICIOUS]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

All I'll say to that is, far better to have one, established gang "in charge" as opposed to being in a hotly-contested area where two (or more) gangs are duking it out.

..that's like saying you'd rather get sodomized once a day by the same guy rather than 2-3 times a day by different guys. But I get your point.
I just would rather it go away than settling for anything.

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

my link didn't take, whoops:

Cook County Gangs: Symbols, Colors & Hand Signs | NBC Chicago

looks like a bunch of naked hand puppets. Seriously, how silly would it be if you had Al Capone making hand gestures like these?