Concerned South Shore residents seek action against squatters and crime

CHICAGO — South Shore residents say they are standing up to crime and a surge of squatters wreaking havoc near 70th and South Merrill.

City officials met with residents Thursday to address their complaints that boarded-up apartments in the area are becoming a magnet for crime. Neighbors say they worry that non-action could impact children in the area due to the city’s failure to enforce an ordinance that discourages criminal activity from occurring anywhere near school property.

“It affects us physically. It affects us psychologically,” said Dianne Hodges, team leader of the South Merrill Community Garden . “We had addicted people in the building, then we had drug dealers in the building, and we’re like, wait. This is just way too much.”

Hodges believes a change in ownership led to problems within the building.

“It was like overnight it turned into a slum,” she told WGN News.

Giancarlo Palladinetti with Midwest L & T Construction echoed Hodges’ sentiments.

“A lot of these buildings have gone way out of compliance to the point that it’s a hazard,” he said.

South Shore residents say the boarded-up 51-unit apartment building across from the garden is a haven for squatters and illegal activity.

“We haven’t had any incidents on this block in three years,” Hodges said. “All of a sudden, we get three shootings in about six weeks.”

Police say officers are working to curb the violence but according to community leaders, the apartment building owners need to do their part.

“It has to be one block at a time,” Hodges said.

June Norfleet is the founder of Talking Trash, an anti-litter community organization.

“We need our building management people to step forth,” Norfleet said. “They can put up the no trespassing signs. No squalor signs. That will give public safety the right to come to remove these people.”

“We will not have you gunning down people near a school and around our neighbors and creating trauma for us,” Hodges added.

Chris Cady with CKO Real Estate said the building, which, according to Cady, was home to drug activity in addition to squatters, was recently vacated.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with these ladies that run the garden here,” Cady said.

The new building ownership vowed to address people’s concerns.

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