Killings put spotlight on Auburn-Gresham renewal efforts
Dorian Compton is not interested in the cash reward being offered by a local Catholic Church; he just wants to see the capture of whomever murdered three people and left a 14-year-old girl in critical condition on his street last weekend.
"I have four girls," explained Compton, who lives a few houses from the house where the murder took place on the 8100 block of South Green Street, in Auburn-Gresham. "I am interested in the safety of my family and I'm interested in the truth. I want whoever did this off the street."
News of the triple homicide stood in stark contrast to the strides taken to improve the quality of life in a neighborhood commonly known for crime, white flight and business disinvestment.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Richard M. Daley was in Auburn-Gresham commending community leaders and aldermen for their unified efforts in revamping the once decimated 79th Street.
Daley called the 79th Street project "part of a very important revival that is taking place in Auburn-Gresham."
Other parts of that revival include the touting of traditional Chicago bungalow homes being made more energy-efficient to try and lure young professionals to Auburn-Gresham. Several banks, restaurants and food marts have opened in the area, and a Best Buy will open in the near future, said Ernest Sanders of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
Local leaders and citizens agree: There are good things going on in Auburn-Gresham. To them, it is a matter of believing that each day is a step towards cementing a new, positive and peaceful order in the neighborhood.
"For every negative thing, I can show you 10-15 good things," said Betty Swanson, president of the 79th and Carpenter Block Club, whose members have worked actively in reviving Auburn-Gresham. "We help feed and clothe families who need our help. We bring people together to do good.
"Unfortunately, something negative always seems to happen," said Swanson. "But we cannot dwell on that. We have to keep on moving forward."
Part of moving forward, said Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th St., requires a unified neighborhood front against crime and violence of any kind. Pfleger's parish is offering a $6,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
As of late Tuesday, police announced they were holding a male suspect in connection with the murders. Sources said the suspect knew the family.
Red signs promote the bounty on the quiet, tidy and tree-lined street where the murders took place.
"Yes, this was a setback," said Pfleger. "But we can't as a community become afraid. We need to create a climate where there is rage and anger when something like this happens."
People often don't know what they can do when brutal violence strikes so near their home, said Pfleger.
"I was over at the house where it took place and there were the usual teddy bears, cards and flowers" that had been placed on the front lawn, said Pfleger, who has seen similar scenes too many times.
"People are fed up," he said. " We are not going to tolerate this violence in our neighborhood -- and that is what the reward is for. We are putting a bounty out to say that whatever it takes, this is not going to stand. You are going to go to jail for this."
While 79th Street continues to draw businesses, and leaders like Swanson continue to promote goodness through charity and leadership, the murders of Elnora White, 80, her son Curtis, 56, and her daughter Elnoria Countee, 52, are a difficult reminder of Auburn-Gresham's past.
"I only thought about leaving once in 1996 when things here were really bad," said Swanson. "But I only thought about it for a short time. This is my home. Since then, I've been out walking the block, seeing what can be done to improve things."
Compton, meanwhile, will continue raising his four daughters through an anxious time when a killer or killers -- who struck so close -- remain free.
"Yeah, it's scary," Compton said as he drove through the neighborhood. "But here, we just have to keep asking ourselves the question, 'What are we giving back to this neighborhood we live in?'"
"I have four girls," explained Compton, who lives a few houses from the house where the murder took place on the 8100 block of South Green Street, in Auburn-Gresham. "I am interested in the safety of my family and I'm interested in the truth. I want whoever did this off the street."
News of the triple homicide stood in stark contrast to the strides taken to improve the quality of life in a neighborhood commonly known for crime, white flight and business disinvestment.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Richard M. Daley was in Auburn-Gresham commending community leaders and aldermen for their unified efforts in revamping the once decimated 79th Street.
Daley called the 79th Street project "part of a very important revival that is taking place in Auburn-Gresham."
Other parts of that revival include the touting of traditional Chicago bungalow homes being made more energy-efficient to try and lure young professionals to Auburn-Gresham. Several banks, restaurants and food marts have opened in the area, and a Best Buy will open in the near future, said Ernest Sanders of the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corp.
Local leaders and citizens agree: There are good things going on in Auburn-Gresham. To them, it is a matter of believing that each day is a step towards cementing a new, positive and peaceful order in the neighborhood.
"For every negative thing, I can show you 10-15 good things," said Betty Swanson, president of the 79th and Carpenter Block Club, whose members have worked actively in reviving Auburn-Gresham. "We help feed and clothe families who need our help. We bring people together to do good.
"Unfortunately, something negative always seems to happen," said Swanson. "But we cannot dwell on that. We have to keep on moving forward."
Part of moving forward, said Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church, 1210 W. 78th St., requires a unified neighborhood front against crime and violence of any kind. Pfleger's parish is offering a $6,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest.
As of late Tuesday, police announced they were holding a male suspect in connection with the murders. Sources said the suspect knew the family.
Red signs promote the bounty on the quiet, tidy and tree-lined street where the murders took place.
"Yes, this was a setback," said Pfleger. "But we can't as a community become afraid. We need to create a climate where there is rage and anger when something like this happens."
People often don't know what they can do when brutal violence strikes so near their home, said Pfleger.
"I was over at the house where it took place and there were the usual teddy bears, cards and flowers" that had been placed on the front lawn, said Pfleger, who has seen similar scenes too many times.
"People are fed up," he said. " We are not going to tolerate this violence in our neighborhood -- and that is what the reward is for. We are putting a bounty out to say that whatever it takes, this is not going to stand. You are going to go to jail for this."
While 79th Street continues to draw businesses, and leaders like Swanson continue to promote goodness through charity and leadership, the murders of Elnora White, 80, her son Curtis, 56, and her daughter Elnoria Countee, 52, are a difficult reminder of Auburn-Gresham's past.
"I only thought about leaving once in 1996 when things here were really bad," said Swanson. "But I only thought about it for a short time. This is my home. Since then, I've been out walking the block, seeing what can be done to improve things."
Compton, meanwhile, will continue raising his four daughters through an anxious time when a killer or killers -- who struck so close -- remain free.
"Yeah, it's scary," Compton said as he drove through the neighborhood. "But here, we just have to keep asking ourselves the question, 'What are we giving back to this neighborhood we live in?'"
Tagged: Auburn Gresham
Discuss
Please log in or register to post your comment.