South Chicago Heights? (Evanston, Tinley Park, Harvey: crime rates, new home, to buy)

[j33]

klabs - that is around where my mom lived when they moved to the chicago area from the east-coast. She went to HF as well. I agree, totally different part of town.

[rubber duck]

Well, if you're looking to be a copper there you'll have your work cut out for you. I'm in law enforcement and work the south side of Chicago and would have no desire to go to the heights. The National Guard has had to bail out nearby Ford Heights when their police force basically walked off the job, if that tells you anything about the area. It's riddled with violent crime,drugs,gangs and corruption. My advice is to steer clear. If you're looking to get experience somewhere and then move on after a few years that's one thing, but to have a career there is something else, dealing with that environment every day WILL burn you out and take it's toll on the rest of your life.

[scoop89]

The heights is maybe the worst town you could possibly choose to live in Chicagoland.

[cin1071]

i don't know where these people are getting the information re:south hts.
i have lived in so. hts for 50 years my entire family lives in so. hts. i have never had any trouble. the police force is great. it's a great neighborhood. yes it has changed some what over the years. but it is still a great little town to live in. everybody knows everybody!!!. as people pass on they leave the property that they have lived in forever to the children and the children usually live there and pass it on to their children. mayor david owens has been mayor for many, many years and is a great family man. you have south chicago heights mixed up with chicago heights. yes we are just south of there. but a much better little town to live in. many years ago the town tried to change it's name, but the people of the town had such great pride in were they lived, they didn't want to change anything. want more info? email me @ skasst@aol.com i tell you all about our great town. we have the same zip code as all those other towns. but we are totally differant people.

[right1only]

How dare you people speak of the south suburbs in such a manner??? I am a lifelong resident of Riverdale and will admit that it has seen better charm but, is still a charm in the south suburban eye. Although it is small it, is well known throughout Illinois and has amazed me countlessly throughout the years. It has a dedicated governmental administrative team that has its best interest in mind. Riverdale is on its way back to the top!!!

[JMP5779]

Grew up in southwest burbs, and I would totally agree. That area is not looking up. There are some good areas right over the Indiana border, like Merrillville. Plenty of other burbs to live in, the newly finished I-294 can take you into Chicago Heights if you plan to work there.

[lindy01]

I wouldn't do it....of course, it all depends on where you're coming from!

I live in Chicago Heights...in one of the last decent subdivisions left in the city. South Chicago Heights is a different city, but too close to the really dangerous and crappy area of Chicago Heights. Even in my good subdivision, we have heard distant gunshots on rare occasions...I can think of three nights in the past year that it's happened. There are major drug and prostitution problems in the main downtown area of the city.

If you want to take the job, I would definitely advise a commute...and I would look into northwest Indiana if you are buying a home...the property taxes are FAR less, the schools are better and it's only a 15 minute ride at worst.

The property values in most of the communities surrounding the Heights are beginning to drop, and sadly, the depressed areas seem to be getting larger, while the decent communities seem to be shrinking. The south suburbs are dying a slow death because the high property taxes chasing both the businesses and homeowners out of the area.

[j33]

Originally Posted by right1only

How dare you people speak of the south suburbs in such a manner??? I am a lifelong resident of Riverdale and will admit that it has seen better charm but, is still a charm in the south suburban eye. Although it is small it, is well known throughout Illinois and has amazed me countlessly throughout the years. It has a dedicated governmental administrative team that has its best interest in mind. Riverdale is on its way back to the top!!!

Hey, I grew up in the south 'burbs too, and know Riverdale well (or did about 10 years ago). If it is on the way back up, that is wonderful news. But c'mon, the place has seen better days, the final straw for my old childhood friend who moved out (who was born and raised there) when one person had their car stolen, and another person was mugged at gunpoint on his way to the annual Christmas party he held.

[gardener]

Thank you, thank you. I also have lived in South Chicago Heights for thirty years. Raised my family and now my son has bought our house just like countless others have and are doing. This has been a wonderful town to be in . I have never feared anything here nor have my neighbors. We all get along and enjoy many things. This is South Chicago Heights. Not the south end of Chicao Heights. BIG DIFFERENCE, We share a zip code. Chicago Heights is another story. So is Ford Heights. Couldn't agree more when it comes to those towns. But, how dare you indeed discuss towns that you obviously know nothing about nor have ever been to. It is a wonderful place to live. I can only add to your description that if anyone would open the newspaper tothe police blotter they would find HOMEWOOD and FLOSSMOOR,MATTESON<CHICAGO HEIGHTS,HARVEY,GLENWOOD reports all the time. NOT South Chicago Heights. True we get a few traffic violaters reUI ,speeding etc. but they soon find out they better take another route as So. Hts. has always been known as a city that will not put up with that behavior. Those people that were tearing this town apart have us confused with another place. Signed A proud South Chicago Heights resident. And,if the police officer looking for the job, we'd welcome you any time personally.

[lilysmama]

NO.....NO......NO.....Not a good idea at all, the community is slowly detiorating and is filled with mainly negativity high crime drugs the whole bit. I grew up around that area and surrounded areas for fourteen years. The highschool has a larger dropout, and teenage pregnancy rate.The gang issue is huge, their not so much classified as corporate gangs anymore, but just a lot of young punks who like killing one another, or "transffered intent", killing innocent bi-standards. I'm a young mother working on my B.S. in criminal justice and that police department couldn't pay me 70,000 a year, and I worked some pretty crappy law enforcement jobs. Their department also has a fairly larger turn-over than most. Its known for its corruptness. In 2003, there was an internal scandal that the feds busted and also another one around 85, due to drugs. Don't get me wrong there has been plenty of good honest law enforcement officals that have worked there. I would consider a little more south like the Manteno, Bourbonnais (home of da BEARS) area. Theres really no crime and the cost of living is lower, and its just more of a cleaner, positive, upbeat area. I will be happy to share more information if needed