Biking through south side - places to avoid? (Chicago, Oak Park: violent crime, home)

[MSchemist80]

Once you are done with your Chicago ghetto tour you should consider a tour of Syria and Iraq.

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

Once you are done with your Chicago ghetto tour you should consider a tour of Syria and Iraq.

You've never been to the hood a day in your life.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

Once you are done with your Chicago ghetto tour you should consider a tour of Syria and Iraq.

Frickin hilarious! Well done.

[lenniel]

Not really worth the risk in my opinion. While it's unlikely anything would happen to you, the chances are not negligible. The fact is, if you're a white guy, on a nice bike, with a backpack, iphone or whatever, and you're going through a nasty area, it's not unrealistic that some young gangbanger my want to prove his worth by playing the 'knockout' game with you.

[Runuova]

Listen, I agree with everyone about not doing it but their reasons as to why also shows their lack of experiences in such areas. Knockout game? Iraq? Listen to me and just decide not to instead of listening to a few guys who believe everything that they see or read about the hood from other non-residents.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Runuova

Listen, I agree with everyone about not doing it but their reasons as to why also shows their lack of experiences in such areas. Knockout game? Iraq? Listen to me and just decide not to instead of listening to a few guys who believe everything that they see or read about the hood from other non-residents.

Ummm, I do know what I'm talking about. I covered all the southside city health clinics, in the worst areas, for about 7 years back in the late 90s. I was a sales guy, wearing a suit, so people either thought I was a cop, detective or lawyer and didn't mess with me. But there were plenty of times in which if I didn't have street smarts, I would have been put in a very uncomfortable situation that could have ended poorly for me.
There were also a number of times when cops would ask me what I was doing in a particular neighborhood, since I was the only white guy seen all day. Some assumed I was there to buy drugs until I showed them my work stuff and was actually there working.

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Ummm, I do know what I'm talking about. I covered all the southside city health clinics, in the worst areas, for about 7 years back in the late 90s. I was a sales guy, wearing a suit, so people either thought I was a cop, detective or lawyer and didn't mess with me. But there were plenty of times in which if I didn't have street smarts, I would have been put in a very uncomfortable situation that could have ended poorly for me.
There were also a number of times when cops would ask me what I was doing in a particular neighborhood, since I was the only white guy seen all day. Some assumed I was there to buy drugs until I showed them my work stuff and was actually there working.

So your experience trumps mine as a life long resident? Lol

You ever got knocked out? Shot? Stabbed? I thought so! Me either!

The climate is quite different now from what you've experienced in the 90's. You're basically admitting nothing ever happened to you which is my overall point. You can be in a bad situation in any neighborhood.

There are plenty of White and Asian store owners in the worst areas that have never had any issues, and I'm not talking about through a bullet - proof glass.

I don't suggest anyone touring via bike or walking through a troubled neighborhood, but I also don't suggest walking alone through ANY Chicago neighborhood after 11pm either.

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Runuova

So your experience trumps mine as a life long resident? Lol

You ever got knocked out? Shot? Stabbed? I thought so! Me either!

The climate is quite different now from what you've experienced in the 90's. You're basically admitting nothing ever happened to you which is my overall point. You can be in a bad situation in any neighborhood.

There are plenty of White and Asian store owners in the worst areas that have never had any issues, and I'm not talking about through a bullet - proof glass.

I don't suggest anyone touring via bike or walking through a troubled neighborhood, but I also don't suggest walking alone through ANY Chicago neighborhood after 11pm either.

I'm not saying anything would happen either, probably very unlikely. BUT, it something were to happen, there's a greater chance of that happening in a bad southside neighborhood than, say, Lincoln Park. It's just statistics.
And, with all the racial tensions going on, I simply don't think a ride through the southside is a wise idea for someone that doesn't know the area, is naïve to the culture, or whatever. Again, the chances are slim, but they're much slimmer in other areas.

[Runuova]

Originally Posted by lenniel

I'm not saying anything would happen either, probably very unlikely. BUT, it something were to happen, there's a greater chance of that happening in a bad southside neighborhood than, say, Lincoln Park. It's just statistics.
And, with all the racial tensions going on, I simply don't think a ride through the southside is a wise idea for someone that doesn't know the area, is naïve to the culture, or whatever. Again, the chances are slim, but they're much slimmer in other areas.

Statistically you're right but race has little to do with it. It's more dangerous for me to take that trip than the OP.

[mofford]

My friend Jim has told me many times that the south side of Chicago is the baddest part of town. If you go down there you better just beware of a man named Leroy Brown. He stands about 6 foot 4, all the ladies call him treetop lover, but the men just call him sir. He's the baddest man in the whole damn town, badder than old King Kong, and meaner than a junkyard dog. Leroy is a gambler and he likes his fancy clothes, he likes to wave his diamond rings in front of everybody's nose. He's got a custom continental, and an eldorado too, he's got a 32 gun in his pocket for fun, and he's got a razor in his shoe!

Do you really want to go there ?