After a weekend that saw at least three violent crimes reported in a very small part of Lincoln Park, local Alderman Michele Smith (43) today announced a “positive loitering” event for the North-Clybourn Red Line station “to show our solidarity against crime.”
Two robberies and a stabbing were reported over the weekend near the CTA station. None of the crimes took place on CTA property.
Shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday, a man reported that he was robbed near Fremont and Willow streets by an offender who implied that he had a gun in his pocket, according to a police report.
About eight hours later, a 16-year-old boy was stabbed seven times by two men who emerged from a car and chased him down on the 1900 block of North Bissell. He then ran to the nearby Red Line station for help. A source said the two offenders were buying drugs from the 16-year-old when they decided to try robbing him instead.
On Saturday, a 31-year-old woman told police that two men threw her to the ground, pepper-sprayed her, and took her purse as she unloaded her car on the 1900 block of North Bissell around 11:45 a.m.
Prosecutors charged two-time convicted felon Vonsean Williams, 24, with armed robbery and felony unlawful use of a knife in that case. The second offender remained at large as of Monday.
Local police Cmdr. Jill Stevens “has already ordered local beat cars to remain in their beats at all times,” Smith said in an email to constituents on Tuesday afternoon. “Unmarked units have been dispatched and will saturate the area and our local CTA stops.”
Smith invited residents to “bring your dog and family as we walk through the neighborhood together for 30-45 minutes” on Wednesday evening. The group will meet at 5:30 p.m. outside the North-Clybourn station.