Challenges
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Though Hyde Park might seem like an ideal living environment for some, there are a few challenges that plague the community. Hyde Park is known to be one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago and that is partly due to the large University of Chicago Police Department. While it is reassuring that there are a plethora of police officers in the neighborhood to protect residents, many have been complaining that the police seem to be abusing their power and are being accused of racial profiling. One high school sophomore said, “ that UCPD officers harass people for no reason” and another commuter said that he “avoids biking through the university after being pulled over several times by the university police” (The Gate) about a bicycle that is custom made. Though all of the men interviewed came from different backgrounds, they were all black and all had been harassed by UCPD. The best way to deal with this challenge is to inform the department of any misconduct and if no action is taken, then bring the issue to the court.
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Another issue that has arise in community discussions is that residents do not feel like they have a voice and that their opinions matter. One resident said, “They asked us how we want 53rd Street to look and everyone said no high rise buildings. What do we have now? High rise buildings” (Hyde Park Herald). They also complain that the neighborhood is losing its unity due to the new urban constructions. The long term residents yearn for that strong sense of community that was present and is trying their best to preserve it, but it’s difficult due to the rapid, developmental changes. A proposed solution is to use Blackstone Library as a third space to host community meetings and after school programs.
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Residents have been complaining about the increase in the cost of living since the recent construction of new businesses. At a community meeting, a resident voiced their anger of having a Whole Foods in the neighborhood, “What we need is an affordable grocery story and Whole Foods is going to be in a place where there previously was an affordable grocery store” (Hyde Park Herald). Residents are not able to afford the new high end stores that are being established and that could ultimately motivate them to move somewhere else.
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For the most part, the University of Chicago has had a positive impact on the community but it has had a few negative impacts. One such thing is the displacement of residences due to the school’s need for dormitories. Since recently, the university has been purchasing a lot of the businesses and buildings in Hyde Park for their use. This has lessened the amount of available housing for non-attendees of the school and cause people to relocate elsewhere.
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Like much of Chicago, Hyde Park has been affected by crime. Though it is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, there has been a slight increase in violent crimes. Since May, there have been a string of robberies that have been occurring in the neighborhood. The Chicago Tribune reports that from April 5th to May 5th 2016, there have been 41 reports of property crimes. The crimes do not seem to have any drastic effect on the community as yet, but individuals are urged to contact the Area Central Detectives if they have any information regarding the crimes.
Resources
Resources for crime
Chicago Police Dept. 3rd District Desk 312-747-8201
Commander’s Office 312-747-5530
Tactical Unit 312-747-8619
CAPS Office 312-747-7004
Area Central Detectives (Property Crimes) 312-747-8384
Area Central Detectives (Violent Crimes) 312-747-8380
All of these organizations are concerned with the public safety of individuals and they work to resolve criminal acts.
Blackstone Library
4904 S. Lake Park Avenue
Chicago IL 60615
University of Chicago Police Department
Address: 6054 S Drexel Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone:(773) 702-8190
The University of Chicago Police Department is targeted at maintaining the safety of the university's students and staff, but they also patrol the neighborhood to ensure that the surrounding environment is also safe.
Housing Helplines
Chicago Homeless Hotline: 800 654-8595.
Another Homeless Help Line: 312 563-1600.
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, including Law Project:
1325 S. Wabash, 312 425-4548
Nearest Warming Center to Hyde Park:
4314 S. Cottage Grove, 312 747-2300.
All of these resources provide shelter for those who have been displaced from their homes.
Resources for crime
Chicago Police Dept. 3rd District Desk 312-747-8201
Commander’s Office 312-747-5530
Tactical Unit 312-747-8619
CAPS Office 312-747-7004
Area Central Detectives (Property Crimes) 312-747-8384
Area Central Detectives (Violent Crimes) 312-747-8380
All of these organizations are concerned with the public safety of individuals and they work to resolve criminal acts.
Blackstone Library
4904 S. Lake Park Avenue
Chicago IL 60615
- Phone: (312) 747-0511
- Email: [email protected]g
University of Chicago Police Department
Address: 6054 S Drexel Ave, Chicago, IL 60637
Phone:(773) 702-8190
The University of Chicago Police Department is targeted at maintaining the safety of the university's students and staff, but they also patrol the neighborhood to ensure that the surrounding environment is also safe.
Housing Helplines
Chicago Homeless Hotline: 800 654-8595.
Another Homeless Help Line: 312 563-1600.
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, including Law Project:
1325 S. Wabash, 312 425-4548
Nearest Warming Center to Hyde Park:
4314 S. Cottage Grove, 312 747-2300.
All of these resources provide shelter for those who have been displaced from their homes.
Works Cited
Fan, Andrew. "“A Wall Around Hyde Park”: The History and the Future of the UCPD." The Gate. 02 June 2014. Web. 20 May 2016.
Mattyus, Allison. "Community Discussion Unravels Hyde Park's Problems in Unity." Hpheraldcom. Hyde Park Herald, Web. 20 May 2016.
"Struggling Chicago Area Homeowners Still Need Help, despite Some Positive Signs." Woodstock Institute. 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.
Rappaport, Sam. "Hyde Park Robberies in May." Hpheraldcom. 19 May 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Crime in Chicago -- Chicago Tribune." Hyde Park. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Help Line Resources." Hydepark.org. Hyde Park -Kenwood Community Conference, Web. 26 May 2016.
Fan, Andrew. "“A Wall Around Hyde Park”: The History and the Future of the UCPD." The Gate. 02 June 2014. Web. 20 May 2016.
Mattyus, Allison. "Community Discussion Unravels Hyde Park's Problems in Unity." Hpheraldcom. Hyde Park Herald, Web. 20 May 2016.
"Struggling Chicago Area Homeowners Still Need Help, despite Some Positive Signs." Woodstock Institute. 16 Aug. 2013. Web. 20 May 2016.
Rappaport, Sam. "Hyde Park Robberies in May." Hpheraldcom. 19 May 2016. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Crime in Chicago -- Chicago Tribune." Hyde Park. Web. 20 May 2016.
"Help Line Resources." Hydepark.org. Hyde Park -Kenwood Community Conference, Web. 26 May 2016.