Saturday, April 13, 2013
Recent armed robbery in Deerfield sparks debate among Patch readers.
A discussion broke out between Patch readers Tuesday in the wake of the armed robbery in Deerfield when two men walked into a Deerfield store Monday as one pointed a gun at employees and customers ordering them into a back room. The incident ended with no one hurt and three men arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping less than three hours after the incident began, according to Deerfield Police reports. Earlier: Police Arrest Armed Robbery Suspects After Chase That did not stop Patch readers from discussing whether allowing conceal carry in Illinois would have prevented the crime or exacerbated the situation. “A great example of why we need concealed carry in Illinois,” Ronnie wrote. “Another example of a bad guy with a gun and helpless …
Friday, March 29, 2013
In a community forum Thursday night, CeaseFire Illinois executive director Tio Hardiman talked about how to prevent more shootings in Evanston, where three people were shot and killed in 2012.
Spring usually bring a surge in violent crime in Chicago, which can spill over into neighboring Evanston. But Tio Hardiman, executive director of CeaseFire, says it doesn't have to. Addressing a few dozen residents, political candidates and elected officials at a violence prevent community forum held at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, Hardiman discussed how his organization treats violence like a disease and praised Evanston for taking a proactive approach to preventing its spread. “Our job is to catch a guy before he crosses the line so nobody goes to jail and nobody goes to the cemetery," he said. CeaseFire, which earned global recognition through the documentary The Interrupters, works with high-risk individuals in Chicago to help them …
Friday, February 8, 2013
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced that Evanston resident Carolyn Murray will be her guest of honor at President Obama’s State of the Union Address Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Murray’s son was fatally shot in November.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced Friday that Evanston resident Carolyn Murray—whose 19-year-old son, Justin, was fatally shot in November—will be her guest of honor at President Obama’s State of the Union Address next week. Schakowsky is one of several House Democrats who have pledged to bring guests affected by gun violence to the address on Tuesday, Feb. 12, as a way of advocating for gun safety measures. “I’m very excited to join Congresswoman Schakowsky at the State of the Union Address in honor of my son, Justin,” Murray said in a press release. “Too many young people have been killed by guns, and it must end. As the mother of a young victim, I’m committed to doing everything in my power to end gun violence. The time is now for …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl issued a press release today outlining her support of a proposed assault weapons ban and calling for residents to join her.
Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl issued a press release Thursday calling for residents to support a nationwide assault weapons ban. Tisdahl said she “wholeheartedly” supported the proposed Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, a bill that U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced in Congress Thursday. If passed, the bill would stop the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of military-style assault weapons. “We have too many guns in our communities and we must work together to get them off the streets,” Tisdahl wrote in the press release. “As a mayor, I am bestowed with the duty to keep my community safe and these common sense solutions will help go a long way in fulfilling that solemn responsibility.” In her press release, Tisdahl urged …
Monday, January 14, 2013
We asked, you chimed in. Patch readers suggested various ways of fighting gun violence, from handing out tougher sentences to criminals who use guns to looking at the side-effects of psychiatric drugs.
Nearly a month after the horrific Newtown shootings, many people, regardless of their politics, are trying to figure out what they can each do to prevent similar tragedies in the future. We invited readers to join our discussion on How Can We Each Fight Gun Violence? And many readers said curbing gun violence isn’t about getting rid of guns instead it starts with controlling criminals and handing out tougher sentences. “Get rid of guns and you still have a crime problem. Get rid of criminals, and you won't have to worry about guns,” Patch reader Carl Castrogiovanni wrote. Patch reader Jim says most people are not violent, “If you want to change the violence for the better, the culture will have to change and the [police] don't have the …
Monday, December 31, 2012
When tasks at home and violence outside of it become just too much.
If your holiday season’s been filled with joy and relaxation, I sincerely congratulate you as I take yet another Advil while writing this column. But, if you’re anything like me, relieved to have survived the holidays (so far), settle in for a story you just might identify with. Please take me at my word when I say I’m eternally grateful for the blessings in my life … but there comes a time when the convergence of these blessings (and their various dynamics) drag me to my wits’ end. My mother has a saying that my sisters and I lovingly tease her about. Whenever things feel overwhelming, she’ll say, “It’s just too much.” I’m here to say, I’ve officially become my mother, because that’s how the holidays felt this year. I should have seen my …
Alice Riley
9:49 pm on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
You are totally nuts more ›