How concerned would you be

[rikki]

if there was a shooting at 11 in the morning 2 blocks away from your house?  Apparently gang related.  About 25 shell casings found, person shot crashed his car into another parked car or building (details differ), a bunch of police in bullet proof vests were walking in front of your house a few hours later.  There have been a few other shootings in the general area (mostly west and north of you), but none this close.  You like to take your baby for walks.

[v]

In a city, not at all unless this was a second violent incident or there was reason to believe that this incident happened in your neighborhood for a reason that could cause more incidents.

How big is the "general area" where the other shootings were? How are crime statistics in your neighborhood overall?

[rikki]

Mar 30, 2015 17:52:48 GMT -5 v said:

In a city, not at all unless this was a second violent incident or there was reason to believe that this incident happened in your neighborhood for a reason that could cause more incidents.

How big is the "general area" where the other shootings were? How are crime statistics in your neighborhood overall?

My neighborhood, Hyde Park, is pretty safe regarding crime, but I live just a few blocks from another neighborhood that has a lot of shootings and apparently a large gang population.  About a mile or 2 in the other direction, the neighborhood on that side is rough as well.  We are kind of in a small enclave of the University of Chicago.  The president's house is just a few blocks away. 

I drive through the other neighborhood every day.  I don't like to, not because I feel unsafe really, but because there are usually a million people just standing in the road and there seems to be a lot of shady activity. 

[Deleted]

In Chicago? I kind of feel like that's part of the deal. It does make me nervous (not for me, but my sister and her H and baby live there, and my mom babysits weekly) but I figure there are millions of people in the city and the chances of any one person being affected are low.

Stay out of that bad neighboring neighborhood though (I assume you are already, lol).

[v]

Mar 30, 2015 17:58:38 GMT -5 rikki said:

Mar 30, 2015 17:52:48 GMT -5 v said:

In a city, not at all unless this was a second violent incident or there was reason to believe that this incident happened in your neighborhood for a reason that could cause more incidents.

How big is the "general area" where the other shootings were? How are crime statistics in your neighborhood overall?

My neighborhood, Hyde Park, is pretty safe regarding crime, but I live just a few blocks from another neighborhood that has a lot of shootings and apparently a large gang population.  About a mile or 2 in the other direction, the neighborhood on that side is rough as well.  We are kind of in a small enclave of the University of Chicago.  The president's house is just a few blocks away. 

I drive through the other neighborhood every day.  I don't like to, not because I feel unsafe really, but because there are usually a million people just standing in the road and there seems to be a lot of shady activity. 

In that case, I'd be at least moderately concerned because it doesn't sound random.  That said, I'd imagine that the chances of you getting hurt in an area like the one that you're describing are really low, particularly during the daytime.

Having gone to school (and having lived) in a neighborhood that I'd imagine is pretty similar to the one you're living in, I'd also imagine that security is pretty tight near campus, which helps.  Fancy schools don't like their students to be scared.

This isn't to say you shouldn't worry -- and you certainly should stay aware of your surroundings and all of that.  But you're very likely to be just fine.

How does your husband feel?

[spunkarella]

It's really tough for me to judge, because I've never lived in a large city. I'm sorry if you are worrying, though.

[thebulldog]

I grew up on the Southwest side (near archer and kedzie) so while this sucks it would not make me move or anything like that.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[WinterWine]

I wouldn't be surprised given the nearby neighborhoods you mentioned, but I'd make sure to be smart about it. I'd try to walk during the day time, and make sure to be alert (ie: not fiddling with my phone). I'm sorry it's making you nervous though, I would feel the same.

[scout8]

Oh, I love Hyde Park! With that said, I think that I would expect some of this type of activity if I lived there. Given its location in the city, I think that this sort of thing is going to happen sometimes. I would keep my walks limited to Hyde Park proper.

[cheezer]

I went to school in Hyde Park and one of my bosses lives there. This seems very par for the course. My boss always tells babysitters for her kids you can go X blocks in this direction, Y in this direction. I guess what I'm saying is I'd be somewhat worried but when you get a house in Hyde Park you've gotta kind of expect this kind of thing.

[ESF]

I've lived in my place for seven years. There has been a number of acts of violence taking place two blocks from me, including at least one person who was actually shot. Maybe more, I can't remember. Gun shots on that particular block are not uncommon; I probably either hear them or read reports of them maybe about twice a year or so. There's been a few other acts of violence nearby. I think it usually happens at night. It is gang related.

I haven't moved. I rent, so I could, but actually, I'd seriously consider buying here. I walk my dog around the neighborhood every day, H frequently walks down the problem block around 7 or 8 in the evening because that's how to get from the bus stop to our house. There are lots of families in my neighborhood, and people are out and about all the time with their kids. The sketchy block abuts a park that schools use during the day, and families use on early evenings and weekends.

I understand being concerned. I wouldn't judge someone who wanted to get far away from this level of crime. But lots and lots of families live with it, and find ways to go about their lives, some out of necessity. I hope that you are able to find happiness and peace with whatever you decide.

[rikki]

Oh, I don't want to get far away and I am not totally surprised when I think about it. I guess I was just a little sad that it was so close to home. I love our home, our neighborhood is diverse and interesting, and I am happy here. No plans to leave. I guess I was more wondering if I should be more cautious, would you change your habits, things like that.

[L]

Mar 30, 2015 18:26:05 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

It's Chicago. But of course you have a right to be concerned

Ditto. My family (Moms side) is all from Chicago & even the diehards are now leaving because it's just too bad. My mom grew up in Woodlawn . One incident wouldn't deter me but a pattern would.

[ESF]

Mar 30, 2015 21:17:34 GMT -5 rikki said:

Oh, I don't want to get far away and I am not totally surprised when I think about it. I guess I was just a little sad that it was so close to home. I love our home, our neighborhood is diverse and interesting, and I am happy here. No plans to leave. I guess I was more wondering if I should be more cautious, would you change your habits, things like that.

Oh I see.

Are you signed up for NextDoor? It is a social media site that is organized by neighborhood. If there is a group for your neighborhood, you will have access to a message board and communications about going ons in your neighborhood and neighboring neighborhoods. I was really surprised to find hundreds of neighbors had enrolled already in mine when I joined a few months ago. There are posts about crime, as well as responses to it, like neighborhood meetings, communications with city reps, etc. There's also info about yard sales, fundraisers for local schools, people looking to borrow tools, lost pets, etc. It's a good service. You should sign up and see if something similar exists for your neighborhood. If nothing else, there's safety in being more connected to your neighbors.

[scout8]

Mar 30, 2015 21:40:33 GMT -5 L said:

Mar 30, 2015 18:26:05 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

It's Chicago. But of course you have a right to be concerned

Ditto. My family (Moms side) is all from Chicago & even the diehards are now leaving because it's just too bad. My mom grew up in Woodlawn . One incident wouldn't deter me but a pattern would.

What? I think that is a bit of an exaggeration. Many areas of the city are thriving. I see more people deciding to stay in the city to raise their families than I ever remember. If the low inventory and properties flying off the market is any indication, I think the city is doing just fine. 

[L]

Mar 30, 2015 22:13:48 GMT -5 scout8 said:

Mar 30, 2015 21:40:33 GMT -5 L said:

Ditto. My family (Moms side) is all from Chicago & even the diehards are now leaving because it's just too bad. My mom grew up in Woodlawn . One incident wouldn't deter me but a pattern would.

What? I think that is a bit of an exaggeration. Many areas of the city are thriving. I see more people deciding to stay in the city to raise their families than I ever remember. If the low inventory and properties flying off the market is any indication, I think the city is doing just fine. 

. What? How would you know about my family? They are from/lived on the Southside & yes they are all gone from the city as of June last year. Every last one & they loved the city but had enough...a few cousins are in the burbs but none still in the city (Southside). Of course I can't speak for everyone...as I wasn't pretending to. I have plenty of friends raising kids in Lincoln Park, Andersonville, etc.

[scout8]

Mar 30, 2015 22:36:00 GMT -5 L said:

Mar 30, 2015 22:13:48 GMT -5 scout8 said:

What? I think that is a bit of an exaggeration. Many areas of the city are thriving. I see more people deciding to stay in the city to raise their families than I ever remember. If the low inventory and properties flying off the market is any indication, I think the city is doing just fine. 

. What? How would you know about my family? They are from/lived on the Southside & yes they are all gone from the city as of June last year. Every last one & they loved the city but had enough...a few cousins are in the burbs but none still in the city (Southside). Of course I can't speak for everyone...as I wasn't pretending to. I have plenty of friends raising kids in Lincoln Park, Andersonville, etc.

Sorry if I misunderstood your comment. I thought you were making a blanket statement about everyone leaving the city. I didn't realize when you said diehards that you specifically meant your family. 

[regina22]

I think this is always going to be an issue in "transitional" neighborhoods. There's a nice four block radius around the university, but other parts of Hyde park can be shady, and those issues creep to event the "nice sections.". I'm in uptown and we had have around two to three shootings a season nearby - the last one was on my street, and that's when it's getting to close for comfort. But I still walk my dog at night, I still go to my block club meetings. But I think long term, I'm ready to leave the "up and coming" neighborhoods (uptown, Hyde park, Logan square, Rogers park) for ones that have already...come.

[awkwardpenguin]

I'm not sure I would change my habits, but it would give me pause. Hyde Park is usually pretty safe, but with the other neighborhoods that are right there, crime bleeds over occasionally.

We were seriously considering moving to East Garfield Park, but walking with the baby was pretty much the whole reason we didn't. I'm much less cautious about neighborhoods when it's just me.

[SJ]

I would be concerned, but I don't think I would really change any habits or anything like that.

It is scary though