Is East Garfield Park between Sacramento and Kedzie a bad area?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Chi-town Native

Yeah, the public gatherings of people drinking at even mid-afternoon is really a head-scratcher - don't these people have jobs? If not, where do they get the money to drink?

1. No.

2. From those of us who do have jobs.

Perhaps a bit glib, but probably not far off the mark for a good number of 'em.

[Chi-town Native]

I was actually wondering if some of these are open-air drug markets or something, because it's so friggin blatant.

[ToriaT]

Originally Posted by quadrokeith

Sacramento & Fulton is still a very sketchy area. Why are you going to this area? What hours do you plan to be driving there? I live in Logan Square and commute to the western suburbs. I drive all the way down Sacramento from Logan Square to 290 and back every day. During normal hours, there is enough traffic on this road to make it safe enough. I don't feel unsafe in my car, but there are a LOT of people hanging out, drinking, etc. If possible, I would avoid being around here after dark altogether.

I won't be going. My son's twenty something friends rented a house on Fulton street there. Supposed to be beautiful place. I looked at google streetview and its as others have said...beautiful vintage buildings in process of gentrification. Some abandoned buildings. Looks somewhat benign but I'm sure danger lurks. My son lives in Logan Sq. on Mozart near Logan but he'll be visiting these friends. We are very dissapointed he will be going there for visits. He won't be on foot he has a car but you can be sure he won't be going there necessarily during the day. He's aware of the area and doesn't like it either but he's torn because he wants to visit his friends!

[JoeyPants]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

I won't be going. My son's twenty something friends rented a house on Fulton street there. Supposed to be beautiful place. I looked at google streetview and its as others have said...beautiful vintage buildings in process of gentrification. Some abandoned buildings. Looks somewhat benign but I'm sure danger lurks. My son lives in Logan Sq. on Mozart near Logan but he'll be visiting these friends. We are very dissapointed he will be going there for visits. He won't be on foot he has a car but you can be sure he won't be going there necessarily during the day. He's aware of the area and doesn't like it either but he's torn because he wants to visit his friends!

As long as he watches out for the landmines and RPG's he should be ok. Have him carry a cyanide capsule just in case he get's kidnapped.

[ToriaT]

C'mon JoeyPants, be real. What's an RPG?

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

C'mon JoeyPants, be real. What's an RPG?

Rocket propelled grenade, a Russian anti-armor weapon.

[quadrokeith]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

I won't be going. My son's twenty something friends rented a house on Fulton street there. Supposed to be beautiful place. I looked at google streetview and its as others have said...beautiful vintage buildings in process of gentrification. Some abandoned buildings. Looks somewhat benign but I'm sure danger lurks. My son lives in Logan Sq. on Mozart near Logan but he'll be visiting these friends. We are very dissapointed he will be going there for visits. He won't be on foot he has a car but you can be sure he won't be going there necessarily during the day. He's aware of the area and doesn't like it either but he's torn because he wants to visit his friends!

I have a couple different friends who live near Sacramento & Washington, just on the other side of the EL. They're both really nice people. They only walk to and from the green line and say that if they just mind their business they don't get hassled. That's not how I'd like to live my life, but apparently it works for them. Your son is probably going to do what he's going to do, so just make sure that he is as smart as possible about it.

[rhonmorr]

My family has lived in the West Garfield Park area for over 40 years. I was raised there, and my sisters and brothers and neices and nephews still reside there, raising their children. My 80-something year old aunt still lives in the upstairs apartment and still gets out everyday to run her errands and take walks. I am looking forward to moving back there myself. I love the area because it is convenient to everything.

The way you stay safe in any neighborhood is by getting to know your neighbors. Looking out for one another, forming and participating in a block club. Attending neighborhood council meetings and holding politicians accountable. Getting to know the police and firefighters who patrol and service the area. Involving yourself in the local school and park efforts. And there's a church on practically every block and corner. Get involved! Don't be a stranger in your own community. That's what makes a community. If every homeowner in communities would do that, we would be rid of crime-ridden communities for good. However, crime is everywhere, you can't escape it. But I think statistics tell us that most crimes against persons and property is usually committed by someone we know.

Unless you're someone who likes to roam the streets in the middle of the night, I think your chances of becoming a victim of a crime by a stranger are pretty slim. If you are single living with a child, I would advise having a dog or at least an alarm on the home to help guard against what might happen while you're not there. No matter where you live, I advise that. Sometimes you can feel more fear stepping into your home after being away than being on the outside.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Jessica_82

Hi everyone, we are thinking of moving to a place near Sacramento and Kedzie, close to the Kedzie Green Line stop. When I checked out the neighborhood last night, it looked a little suspect-- empty lots, people wandering the streets, just kind of a shady looking area. But there were also some nice looking homes there. I am not a paranoid person; I want a neighborhood with some edge. I love diversity, I'm not into cookie cutter homes and people, so I don't want some yuppie area, that's why I am looking in places like this one. But I also want to make sure my son and I won't get shot, mugged, assaulted, etc. I don't want to walk through drug dealings every night or worry if I will be safe carrying in groceries at night. I am aware of my surroundings, I just want to know if I will constantly be concerned about my safety. Can anyone help me decide if this is an okay area to live in? I love the landlord and the house that I am thinking of moving into, so I don't want to give up on this place unless we won't be safe.

[Muppet123]

I'd advise having a 12 gauge and knowledge of how it works....