Former Chicago Gang Investigations Officer
By: Former Chicago Gang Investigations Officer
(For security reasons we can’t reveal the law enforcement officer’s name. While he is no longer in the gang investigation division, many cases he worked on are still open, therefore, concern for his safety will be an issue if his name becomes public).
Crime and violence is nothing new in Chicago, and I am hoping that the recent media coverage doesn’t deter visitors to the city. Chicago is a great location to visit, but it’s important to take a few safety precautions, so here are some tips.
1. If you’re not familiar with the city, it’s a good idea to understand what neighborhoods to stay out of. Here’s a map of gang areas.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. As cops, we are taught right away to always know where you are. Field Training Officers will constantly test new officers on geography and situational awareness. When you are visiting a city such as Chicago, always be aware of the time and places you are visiting. Some bars close at 4 am on weekdays and 5 am on weekends so there are a lot of opportunistic people that would like to take advantage of a tourist at that time of day. Don’t put yourself in a position to be hurt.
3. Research the areas that you are visiting. The beauty of Chicago does not just lie within the downtown area. Some of the best restaurants and cultural areas are within the neighborhoods of the city. Research those neighborhoods, because some of them might not be the best place to land after dark. Don’t just trust your GPS because one wrong turn could bring some difficulties to yourself and others. The roads in the city of Chicago are set up like a grid. Every four blocks is a major street and should allow you a sense of direction if you get lost.
4. Trust your “sixth sense.” I am a firm believer in a person’s sixth sense or gut instinct. I have gotten many guns and drugs off of the street by trusting my uneasy feeling about a situation. As a resident or tourist in Chicago, if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t and you need to act on that feeling. This could be as simple as walking/driving away or even calling the police. If the hair on the back of your neck begins to stand up, that might be an indication that something is wrong. Don’t diminish that feeling or sense.
5. Trust the police. It seems that a lot of news stories about police officers are negative but those few incidents are very rare when looking at the police as a whole. Almost all of us are good people that truly want to help. Who knows the city better than the men and women that live in it and work the streets of it everyday? Ask them for directions. Ask them for advice on the safety of a neighborhood and they will be honest with you. Just make sure that they aren’t in the middle of a call prior to approaching them.
6. Don’t always trust the numbers. Some areas of the city could be considered war zones, but that should not reflect on the entire city as a whole. A majority of these shootings happen in select parts (Englewood, Austin, Humboldt Park, etc…). Like #2, know areas prior to visiting so that if you happen to find yourself in that neighborhood, you should have a heightened sense of awareness. My favorite Mexican restaurants are on 26th St, and there is an active gang war surrounding that area (Latin Kings vs. 2-6ers). I don’t avoid that area, but I do increase my level of awareness.
7. Most gangs don’t want to harm innocent people because it is bad for business, but that doesn’t mean that it couldn’t happen. My philosophy is if there is one, there will always be another nearby. Don’t show fear, but also don’t try to escalate things thinking that they will back down. You never know who might be carrying a weapon or what their intentions are. Let the police handle the situation. If in the unlikely event that you happen to get caught in the middle of a shooting, try and stay low to the ground and try to find a barrier between you and the shooting. By barrier, I mean something that will stop a bullet (concrete or metal support, etc…). A car will conceal you, but bullets can go through cars and won’t keep you from being harmed. After the shooting has occurred, wait for the police to respond. Chicago police will be there in a matter of minutes if it is a shots fired/person shot call.
8. I believe that the city of Chicago cab drivers have been fairly trustworthy in my dealings with them. They may take a longer route to get you to a place, but I think that is fairly common in every city. The city of Chicago mandates that taxicabs have a medallion affixed to their taxicab. Usually it is found on the hood of the vehicle. Watch out for pirate cabs (cabs that aren’t licensed by the city and usually don’t have any company markings on them.) Pirate cabs have been known to rip off customers, but doesn’t occur too often. If you are unsure, just ask to see their city medallion.
9. The local men are probably going to be the same as in every big city. Try not putting yourself in vulnerable situations. Never leave a drink unattended and try to stay with a group of friends at all times. The city has panhandlers and some can be aggressive. Just keep your space and call the police if necessary. Watch out for street performers, because it is a good time to be pick-pocketed as your attention is on them. Don’t carry large amounts of money and try not flashing it in front of the public.
For more information on Chicago’s gang violence and how locals can help, check out this article.