gangs in La Grange??? (Chicago, Aurora: low income, violent crime, house)

[summers19]

I just read on the website "Everything La Grange", an online La Grange newspaper, that there's been violent gang activity in La Grange. Many people have complained to police about drug activity at a certain house and little action has taken place to resolve this. There was a 'gang-style' shootout on La Grange Rd in November of 2006. How do current residents see the gang situation? That is one of the suburbs that my family and I have considered moving to but my god, not if there is a gang problem!
What are your thoughts on La Grange and real safety of its citizens? Are the gangs moving westward as this article suggested? I understand Chicagoland has issues with gangs, but are there any suburbs that are considered safe for a toddler to play outside in the front yard? I know I sound fear-based and I don't want to be. I've heard good things about La Grange, Hinsdale, Western Springs.

[ahava]

Could you link to that article? I'd like to read it. I've honestly not heard anything about gang activity here. I have heard that Brookfield is going downhill, and I drove down East Ave today (the border between Brookfield and La Grange) and it looked shadier than I remembered...but I doubt that La Grange is going to become an unsafe place to live anytime soon.

[summers19]

the daily: Public Safety

I don't know how to do links. I hope this comes out okay. The article is the last one at the bottom of the page.

[bungalowdweller]

Gangs are EVERYWHERE. Whether they are actively pursuing criminal activities in a particular community is another story. I consider La Grange a good, safe town.

[BRU67]

Most communities have "gang" activity to some degree. From a headquarters and warehouse perspective, gang members like quiet areas where the cops won't hassle them. On this score, it will be easier for them to operate in LaGrange as opposed to Cicero where the cops are much more attuned to them. There was just a major gang bust in Riverside, of all places. By constrast, they prefer low income neighborhoods for distribution and recruitment -- where they can maintain a high profile among residents who are easy to intimidate and unlikely to call police.

As to the lower income demographics who provide the majority of organized gang membership, they are definitely moving west and south to get away from the problems (that they largely cause) though I suspect a place like LaGrange is too cost prohibitive to experience any major influx. I wouldn't worry too much about LaGrange in short.

[Bogey]

Good post, BRU. It's helpful to have that explanation.

[cmoscinski]

than any small suburban community in near west suburbs of Chicago. I'd like to know where people are getting their stats/information from?

I have a link that identifies each town and types of crime (burglary vs. violent crime). All are relative to population ratio as factor.

See below:
County crime data -- chicagotribune.com

[Burr Oak]

LaGrange is a solid, safe community, as is Brookfield. Gang activity occurs in every suburb. The gang problem is serious, and no community is safe from gang activity, including the selling of drugs to teen-agers.

[vester72]

La Grange is a very nice area - I seriously would not be concerned at all.

"Gangs" in La Grange are very, very different from gangs in the city. Lyons Township High School is a good school - no gang problems there.

No, I do not live in La Grange nor have I ever, but I know the area very well and it is a great area and have friends there. I would live there without hesitation with my little girl, but a little too far from my in-laws (free babysitters).

[HOWELL_STREET]

Between 1950 to 1963, I lived in La Grange, IL. Now obviously, things have changed since then. But my sister currently still lives in La Grange and she has never experienced any gang violence. As a previous thread stated, Brookfield is the transistion of gang violence.

From another thread of mine in the past, I made the opinion that the Chicago collar county 'good' towns to 'bad' towns transition is right at Brookfield and La Grange. In the case of the Ogden Avenue corridor (IL - 34) one would not buy a home EAST of La Grange to be as safe as possible.

Down town Chicago is the "Hub" of a half - wheel. ALL METRA commuter railroad systems fan out like bicycle wheel spokes from down town Chicago. The 'collar' counties are also fanned out along the railroad axis(s). So the imaginary arc - radii going through La Grange, is the start of the 'safety' zone. Not that it is absolutely free of criminal elements - - but that it is a 'safety' zone for best family living.

Two exceptions to this rule, though, are parts of Aurora, IL and parts of Elgin, IL.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass