Action Now

[fedupinwaukegan]

So was the meeting in English or held in Spanish?

The meeting was held in English. The beginning prayer was said in Spanish. The woman said in broken English sorry she couldn't do it in Eng. but God heard everything.

Alderman Koncan was also there.

Anna asked in English if anyone wanted the meeting in Spanish. Then the dime dropped and she asked in Spanish if anyone needed the meeting in Spanish. No one responded. Later a earnest guy was talking about the gangs in his neighborhood, his property tax... Anna asked if she should translate and an alderman said no he's doing fine. And he was.

If I remember correctly Ald. Figueroa said there are 1200 abandoned homes in Waukegan.

There is a grant for more cameras to be put in dangerous neighborhoods. They have been effective in other places they have been put.

DC Yancy, who will be taking over as chief of police April 1st? was an impressive speaker. He spoke of a wellness neighborhood program. Of cameras mentioned above. That the neighborhood watch programs were effective. I believe he said that there were 87,000 calls per year and 5600 arrests. He spoke of a 85 year old woman whose porch was taken over by gang members to sell drugs. He's going to get more sworn officers on the streets and not doing the paperwork.

So far seems like a good forum. People have a place to voice concerns to elected officials and get action. The friend I brought held back from joining as they are asking a $10 a month dues fee. She wanted to ask what for but there wasn't a chance.

The next meeting I think is February 26th at the library, 6:30 pm.

**I'm going to post somewhere else an article that says 80% of crime is committed by gangs. We need to attack our gangs aggressively.

Waukegan