Chicago crime thread: Place all crime-related posts here (Lincoln, Lincolnwood: living in, law)

[TBideon]

A bunch of hoodrats cause chaos at Millenium Park so now I, along with hundreds of normal people, are wanting in line to get inside for Bluesfest?

If there is a worse mayor, I'd be shocked

[bubs]

Yes! I remember the Blues Fests of old, very open and relaxed. No more. Heightened security, cops everywhere. Very disconcerting. I had to keep asking myself if I was in Chicago or the Al Aqsa/ Western Wall area.

Also, on a slightly different note, after leaving the Fest I walked around downtown and found myself saddened by how dirty everything seemed, certainly in comparison with the before times. Block after block of grimy sidewalks and litter. Is it just me, or have things really taken a nose dive sanitation wise?

[TBideon]

Not dramatically different from a litter sense, but things are much more tense downtown. Chicago and Jackson red stations have become uncomfortable too, hell, the trains in general.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by bubs

Yes! I remember the Blues Fests of old, very open and relaxed. No more. Heightened security, cops everywhere. Very disconcerting. I had to keep asking myself if I was in Chicago or the Al Aqsa/ Western Wall area.

Also, on a slightly different note, after leaving the Fest I walked around downtown and found myself saddened by how dirty everything seemed, certainly in comparison with the before times. Block after block of grimy sidewalks and litter. Is it just me, or have things really taken a nose dive sanitation wise?

I can't comment on the current state of downtown as it's been a while since I was dragged into the office, but I remember going to Blues Fest a couple times in the late 80s and/or early 90s when Chicago was supposedly much more dangerous than it is now. There were no barriers, no checkpoints or entry points... you just walked into Grant Park where it used to be held (there was no Millennium Park yet), found a food tent to get some barbecue or something, found a music tent, sat down, and just enjoyed a day in the sun by the lakeshore with food and music without a care in the world other than how much you were overcharged for your food. Even us white suburban kids were allowed to go downtown by ourselves back then; our parents were a lot more nervous about us getting into a car accident on the Ike than coming into any trouble downtown.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by bubs

Yes! I remember the Blues Fests of old, very open and relaxed. No more. Heightened security, cops everywhere. Very disconcerting. I had to keep asking myself if I was in Chicago or the Al Aqsa/ Western Wall area.

My last visit to BluesFest was in 2012, and it was pretty much the same as 1988; only a few cops outside Grant Park.....

[Tombstoner]

Originally Posted by TBideon

A bunch of hoodrats cause chaos at Millenium Park so now I, along with hundreds of normal people, are wanting in line to get inside for Bluesfest?

If there is a worse mayor, I'd be shocked

Are you saying that this is recent chaos at Bluesfest? I've gone everyday and hadn't heard/seen anything chaotic. Thousands of people having a good time. Security is very present, but that's not a bad thing.

[TBideon]

It was pretty chill. I was just venting about the state of the security theater stemming from all the problems.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by Tombstoner

Are you saying that this is recent chaos at Bluesfest? I've gone everyday and hadn't heard/seen anything chaotic. Thousands of people having a good time. Security is very present, but that's not a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing in the immediate sense that it made the event safer. But it's not a good thing when viewed as a context clue about the state of the city, especially compared to years past when such shows of force weren't necessary.

[personone]

Originally Posted by Bitey

It's not a bad thing in the immediate sense that it made the event safer. But it's not a good thing when viewed as a context clue about the state of the city, especially compared to years past when such shows of force weren't necessary.

Agree. While it's sad, at least they are doing something. And given the state of the country and the news we hear about everyday, it may not be such a bad thing.

[Kmanshouse]

I only go "downtown" when I have to. Like tomorrow. But my suburban friends still find River North and the Bean interesting.

God I hate River North. But the Riverwalk? That's pretty awesome - and 10x better than it ever used to be.

This was the biggest Fest weekend I can remember. Blues Fest, Midsommarfest, Old Town Art Fest, Ravenswood on Tap, all on the same weekend. Probably others that I'm not even realizing.

Glad there were no issues at Blues Fest. The only issue and Midsommarfest was someone accidentally driving up onto the sidewalk and Clark and Foster. Luckily nobody was killed.