Is Chicago crime getting out of control?? (Joliet, Evanston: crime rates, house)

[MiddleRoad]

Hello,

25 yr Chicago resident, I've been gone for over 7 years (living in small town mid-America... how that happened is a mystery even to myself). However, DH & I have a chance to move our family to either the Pac NW or back to Chicago. In our hearts, we're dying to get back to the Windy City, which is second to none in our book. But...

But, but, but

What the heck is up with the rise in random crime? Or is my view point just skewed (from being gone for so long)?

I grew up in the city so I'm used to urban living. But the more I read lately the more I find myself asking are things getting worse in Chicago?

Is it the recession? Something else?

I'd love some input from some locals/"old" timers. If we moved back we'd like to be in the Ravenswood/Lincoln Square area - or else we'll look toward Evanston. Thoughts? We have small children (pre and school age). Might do a good neighborhood school if that works out or could do a small private school. But I want a walking neighborhood, a safe park area, you know, the Chicago I remember of 10 - 15 years ago.

Thanks!

[Avengerfire]

I think the title of this thread is misleading. The crime subject has been pretty well covered in this forum several times.

Now if you want to talk about living in Ravenswood or Lincoln Square that is a complete other story.

[MiddleRoad]

It's only misleading if you're trying to buy my thoughts. I'm looking for input on crime citywide as of late and thoughts behind the reasons/rationale, Ravenswood/LinSq are options but we don't know, that's why I bothered to ask.

It's my question and I'm sticking by it...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by MiddleRoad

It's only misleading if you're trying to buy my thoughts. I'm looking input on crime citywide as of late and thoughts behind the reasons/rationale, Ravenswood/LinSq are options but we don't know, that's why I bothered to ask.

It's my question and I'm sticking by it...

Here is one long drawn out recent thread on crime:

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...e-chicago.html

As for Lincoln Square:

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...ln-square.html

[urza216]

I don't spend too much time in rough areas of the city and believe it or not, I'm generally a little more worried about crime in the suburban areas I go than when I'm in the city. And I never leave the house without my knife anymore.

The reality is.. Crime can happen ANYWHERE in any neighborhood of any town. It doesn't matter if someone is white, yellow, brown or black. People are violent and the universe could give a rats ass if your life is taken tonight.

[MiddleRoad]

Yes, I saw that thread on crime. That's an interesting but less than informative thread, in my view, it spends way too much time on Logan Sq gang problems (as if it's only Logan Square, ya right) and veers into a debate about police brutality...

Hardly a useful thread from a (not so political) parent's perspective.

Thanks.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by MiddleRoad

Yes, I saw that thread on crime. That's an interesting but less than informative thread, in my view, it spends way too much time on Logan Sq gang problems (as if it's only Logan Square, ya right) and veers into a debate about police brutality...

Hardly a useful thread from a (not so political) parent's perspective.

Thanks.

Statistically Chicago is measurably safer than it was 10-15 years ago. I first came to Chicago 15 years ago, and I see less sketchy stuff than I did then.

[MiddleRoad]

@urza - thanks for the input. Which suburban areas are you referring to? South? SW? West? North? I know crime can happen everywhere, even in small town America, but I'm concerned about the greater probability of crime in certain areas and the changing crime rates in certain neighborhoods.

@emathias - that's good to hear, which general area of the city are you in?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by MiddleRoad

Yes, I saw that thread on crime. That's an interesting but less than informative thread, in my view, it spends way too much time on Logan Sq gang problems (as if it's only Logan Square, ya right) and veers into a debate about police brutality...

Hardly a useful thread from a (not so political) parent's perspective.

Thanks.

Well, how about you do a search yourself then? Like I said, there have been dozens of crime/safety threads. Another is not needed.

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...dangerous.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...hicago-il.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...s-chicago.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...-gradient.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...d-schools.html

Thanks.

And just so you know-most other people that post here are sick of the crime/safety questions as well.

[urza216]

Originally Posted by MiddleRoad

@urza - thanks for the input. Which suburban areas are you referring to? South? SW? West? North? I know crime can happen everywhere, even in small town America, but I'm concerned about the greater probability of crime in certain areas and the changing crime rates in certain neighborhoods.

"Out West" to me is Berwyn or Joliet and "up north" to me is Lakeview or.... Calumet City. "Down south" to me is Aroma Park or Kankakee.

Does that answer your question?


"Up there in Calumet City"
"Out in Joliet"
"Down in Kankakee"
These are all phrases I unconsciously find myself saying..