Chicago's gang problem (Phoenix, Compton: home, shops, safest)

[chicagocubs]

hi, everyone...I am a Chicago-born transplant that moved south to get away from the crime. Now, Charlotte (NC) has such a huge gang problem that we have become the focus of an Federal Government (FBI) investigation. Our biggest problems here have been the ostrich-in-the-sand approach that our gov't has taken up until the last few years. I saw gang tagging when I moved here in 1989 and was told..."NO, Charlotte doesn't have gangs!" Later, they developed a gang task force of 1 (yes, one) for the city, population at the time about 300k. (our populatin now is around 600k and growing) Just last year, the state of NC voted down legislation making gang activity a felony offense saying that our problem isn't "that bad". Now that the Feds are involved, we MIGHT get some relief.

The other issue that we have are the gang wanna-bes who are not real gangs but want to act like they are. They are very stupid, but, dangerous in that they are really irratic in their behaviour. With real gangs, if you live in their hood and you don't bother them, you usually are ok. Not with the wanna-bes. They have no clue. Yes, they get arrested, but, with our lax laws here, they are out in a week or so...to do it all over again. The cops estimate that a local crime ring (whose headquarters are a 1/2 block from my house) generates anywhere from $10-$20k weekly in stolen goods. So, if one of them goes to jail and maybe pays a fine of $5k, it is nothing. This has become their job.

Seriously thinking of moving back to the city. there really does not seem to be an escape.

[Miami305Kid]

New York City is one of the safest cities in this country especially for its size. Yes there are various ghettos but their pretty easy to avoid. As for LA, if Chicago's gangs are any worse than L.A's than I don't see how the city functions because its crazy over there

[SD Observer]

Originally Posted by noid_1985

In fact Chicago, to the best of my knowledge doesn't have Bloods and Crips like LA and New York

You are right. ........... When the both the Crips and the Bloods tryed to set up a branch in Chicago they were shot up by our hometown Black gangs - Black Gangster Disciples, Vicelords, Micky Cobras, Black Disciples, New Breed Disciples, El Rukns.

They will never be allowed to set up here in the Windy City because the native gangs are way too entrenched.

[MrChicago]

Originally Posted by bluchidog

People say Los Angeles is the gang capital in this country and have the worse gang problem, and they say New York is the grimy city. With all the recent gang related shootings & murders in Chicago, do you think Chicago have a worser gang problem than LA & NYC ?

No I don't but I think we do have more organized gangs than New York and LA

[NJ Chutzpah]

Does chicago have a problem with hispanic gangs, since the wiki says chicago has the second most mexicans in USA

In LA the mex gangs are having a race war with the blacks

Is that the case in Chicago

[noid_1985]

Originally Posted by NJ Chutzpah

Does chicago have a problem with hispanic gangs, since the wiki says chicago has the second most mexicans in USA

In LA the mex gangs are having a race war with the blacks

Is that the case in Chicago

Yeah, but they arent as bad as they black ones (with exception of the Latin Kings)

other hispanic gangs: 2 (TWO)6 (SIX), spanish cobras, eagles......

[JerichoHW]

Originally Posted by RedWingFan

I can't log into the site because I'm at work & they have it blocked...
But this site has a current list of all the chicago gangs.

ChicagoGangs.org

Now I know where all the gangs in my suburb are.

[Manigault]

What many folks don't realize is that there was more gang crime in Chicago and more gang murders in the 1920's and thirties than there are now. So that lends a little perspective to the discussion.

[MrChicago]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

I don't think Humboldt Park is anti-semitic. A lot of people think I am Jewish based upon my dark hair and pointy nose (I am swiss and german baptist) and I work in banking and have a swiss last name that sounds Jewish. I have never had a problem with anti-semitism or seen it with anyone else.

Humboldt Park is certainly anit-gentrification, particularly with the Puerto Ricans on the eastern side of the park.

There is a significant gang problem in Humboldt Park but generally if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. Still, I wish they did not exist and hope the CPD continues to harrass them and in general flush them out to twart their activities, even if that be just hanging out on street corners.

Now That expains everything about you, That why you are so terrifed of the south side................. I also agree with you on the ganag problem in Homboldt Park, they don't mess you with unless you start acting like you going to do something tough, but that's everywhere in the Chicagoland area

[Nysee53]

I have been doing a lot of research on Los Angeles and would it surprise you to know that Los Angeles' crime rate is about half that of Chicago's? The gang problem in Los Angeles is dissapearing. Los Angeles is very safe and New York safer. Chicago is by far the least safe of the big three if not the big ten. Sorry :-)