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Cruising on N. Sherman Blvd. in the 7th Aldermanic District had been a serious problem for many years. But Ald. Wade reports the summers of 2005 and 2006 have seen significant changes in this menacing type of nuisance behavior, in part because of a strategy he initiated which involves 7th District police officers and Department of Pubic Works employees.
It involved a simple change in the time the boulevard was watered. "It was brought to my attention during constituent meetings that the only time residents along N. Sherman Blvd. didn't experience a cruising problem was on weekends when it rained," said Ald. Wade. "So I directed DPW to start watering the boulevard between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights rather than during daytime hours." Police escort the workers to turn the sprinkler system on and off.
"I received many complaints from citizens criticizing this watering procedure," said Ald. Wade, "But since this practice has been in place, I haven't received any calls to my home or office regarding cruising on N. Sherman Blvd., and there has been no news coverage regarding cruising on that street for the last two summers." Before the system was put in place, Ald. Wade received close to 40 calls per weekend from residents in the N. Sherman Blvd. area complaining about cruising
in their neighborhood.
"The summers of 2005 and 2006 have brought some much needed relief to the citizens along N. Sherman Blvd.," said Ald. Wade. "Although the cruising issue is a moving target and far from over, I am happy that these citizens in the 7th District have had a much deserved break from this nuisance behavior. We will continue this practice as long as we get these results." |