By La Risa Lynch

A section of Chatham — a community noted for being a bastion of Black middle class — topped the list for the highest number of homicides within the last 12 months, according to police crime data.

Beat 624, dubbed the “crime spine of the City of Chicago” by Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-1), saw ten murders over the last 12 months, ranking it number one for homicides among the police department’s 285 beats.

The Chicago Police Department (CDP) organizes the city into police districts which is then divided into beats. Chatham residents vented their frustrations at a June 6th town hall meeting.

Ten murders is a lot “considering we came from zero,” said Chatham Avalon Park Community Council President Keith Tate “It doesn’t represent our community well.”

Rush convened the meeting bringing together 200 years of crime fighting experience from the state, city and federal governments, including representatives from the Drug Enforcement Agency, the United States’ Attorney Office and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The town hall, held at St. Dorothy Catholic Church, 450 E. 78^th Street, drew 350 residents.

“Chatham used to be the best neighborhood in the city of Chicago — one of the best communities in America, and we got to make it that once again,” Rush said, echoing the common notion of police and residents working together.

“You just can’t complain about it, and you are locked up in your home as a prisoner … scared to come out,” Rush said. “Law enforcement needs us. They can’t do it by themselves. They need us to work with them.”

He has created a public safety working group to address concerns raised at the meeting. The first is set for Monday, June 13, at his district office, 700 E. 79^th Street at 6 p.m.

“As bad as things appear, we have made a lot success,” said Sixth District Police Commander Eddie Johnson, whose district houses Beat 624. Beat 624 stretches from King Drive to the railroad tracks on the east to 79^th and 75^th Streets.

When Johnson took over as commander, he said Beat 624 “had substantial crime problems,” but inroads have been made. Adding that more community and parental involvement is needed, he said problems facing Chatham “start right in the home. The police cannot raise these young people out here.”

Top CPD brass used the meeting to tout Mayor Raham Emanuel’s new policing strategy. For 90 days during the summer, CPD will redeploy nearly 500 cops from two specialized units to the streets in high crime areas on the south and west sides.

This is a departure from Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy’s predecessor who used taskforces in high crime areas. Instead McCarthy wants to use foot patrols to walk the beat. He said taskforces are disconnected from the community.

“I endorse giving the commanders the resources,” he said. “I endorse the same cops on the same beat every single day, getting to know who the good kids are and getting to know who the bad kids are.”

Addressing quality of life issues can also deter crime, McCarthy added. He said complaints about loud music, vagrancy and public drinking are more common than criminal complaints. And not addressing those quality of life issues can turn into criminal activity, he said.

“It also affects the perception of crime,” McCarthy said. “We can tell you that the murder rate is down in Chicago, but if there is people standing on your stoop selling drugs, or if there are prostitutes on the corner … you don’t believe crime in down.”

Hirsch Metro High School’s Jacqueline Morris likes the idea of more patrols. She wants more officers around the school, located at 7740 S. Ingleside. Safety is a big concern for students.

Most cross gang lines to attend Hirsch and can’t stay after school to participate in extra curriculum activities. One student, she said, resulted to carrying a box cutter for protection because he was jumped one day after school.

The school’s only two police patrols leave a half hour after school ends. She wants funding to provide additional security or at least have police stay longer after school.

“So if a child needs to stay for after school tutoring what are they supposed to do?” Morris asked.

Madieye Gueye, owner of Yassa African Restaurant, 726 E. 79^th St., faces a similar dilemma. His restaurant has been robbed and customers must duck under tables to dodge gunfire. Most crime happens along 79^th Street. Gueye also wants more patrols, but also neighborhood beautification on 79^th Street.

“Make it more attractive,” he said. “You don’t want to go to a neighborhood where you find garbage and people shoplifting. That will deter people from coming, and that’s bad for business.”

Long considered a nuisance by residents, a representative from Happy Liquors, located at 7901 S. Cottage Grove, said his store wants to be part of the solution. While the store’s license is current, Happy Liquors is currently closed.

John Hoidas said they have a new operation plan established by the city’s liquor control commission. The plan includes ending hard liquor sales and adding late night security. Residents, however, were not receptive.

“There have been issues with the liquor store. We do not deny that, but we are here to tell you that those issues are being resolved,” he said to boos and hisses. “It is not going to be positive for the community to close that liquor store .”

Rush was not convinced either. Noting that some businesses contribute to crime by allowing lawlessness to fester outside their establishments unimpeded, Rush said he was glad Happy Liquor is closed.

The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will hold a meeting on August 15, at City Hall, Room 805 regarding Happy Liquors.