Top 5 Worst Neighborhoods in Chicago (Humboldt: crimes, place to live, vs)

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by CDChicago

Is that a joke? The answer is that those communities lack diversity and are totally devoid of the contributions of White-Americans to the mix. That could help. How can they attract more diversity?

Stop committing crimes against everyone and anyone that comes in the area? That could be a start.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Stop committing crimes against everyone and anyone that comes in the area? That could be a start.

What percent of people in, for instance, Englewood, are commiting crimes? I believe most of them are much more likely to be crime victims than crime committers.


So perhaps your blame should be administered elsewhere.

[Humboldt1]

Avengerfire is correct. Those who commit the crime are to blame. Certainly people in areas like Englewood are more likely to have bad influences but at some point you have to take responsibility for yourself. Poverty is not the only factor as many Mexicans in my area are dirt poor and don't even qualify for govt programs outside of food stamps and health benefits for their american born kids. Entitlement just isn't an option for these people and they seem to not fall into the trap that many in areas such as Englewood do.

[cap1717]

I am still looking for an opportunity to find a way to be actually useful to those in the Englewood / west Englewood area. This is where I "grew up", in the 50's / 60's, and my memories of this neighborhood are very fond. It's not that I want to "gentrify" the area, I do not now live nearby, but would love an opportunity to provide opportunity to the youth of that area. Any ideas?

[Manigault]

Well, I was in Englewood yesterday and no one committed a crime against me.

I just find very little utility in pointing out the 'worst' neighborhoods, other than smug voyeurism.

[dontcallmeshirley]

I would like to know if there is any istory behind the name "Back of the Yards". I am not from Chi, but will be moving here soon. I just find it strange that a neighborhood be named "back of the Yards". And I do see it listed that way on online neighborhood maps.

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

The Englewood threat got me thinking what are the top 5 worst neighborhoods in Chicago?

Here are mine:

1.) Englewood
2.) West Garfield Park
3.) North Lawndale
4.) Back of the Yards
5.) Austin

I am curious to see what neighborhoods others list.

[Manigault]

The 'yards' were the meat packing houses situated near 43rd and Halsted, i.e. the stockyards. In the early portions of the 20th century many people lived close enough to walk to their place of work. Those meat packing workers butchering hogs, etc. lived 'back of the yards'. The neighborhood is considered to be around 43rd and Western, where there is a mall called (you guessed it!) "Back of the Yards).

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Manigault

What percent of people in, for instance, Englewood, are commiting crimes? I believe most of them are much more likely to be crime victims than crime committers.


So perhaps your blame should be administered elsewhere.

I never said a majority of the people were criminals. And of course a decent amount of residents are crime victims. I was directing my comment to those that are part of a scourge to society,which there seem to be more of in certain areas.

[chopsky]

Time to throw in my 2c and stir the pot.
You want to fix up these areas? GENTRIFY BABY!

[Humboldt1]

No doubt gentrification is the answer but there are only so many yuppies to go around. Areas like Bronzeville will gentrify long before areas like Englewood.

Education is the key and until residents take responsibilty nothing will happen. The good ones, regardless of race will continue to flee to greener pastures.

Yes, helping my area gentrify by helping to get rid of problem families does make me feel good but it also makes my property more valuable and allows me to charge a higher rent as a result with better tenants. I genuinely feel bad for many in my area as I had opportunities growing up they do not and I will help those that I can. Those I help will be those who are willing to fish but need someone to teach them how to fish. I don't do handouts other than the taxes I pay.