About 6:30PM there was a huge gang of kids gathered on Clay Street, just north of Church Street. When I passed, there was just one police car in the Metra parking lot, and shortly after that I noticed an officer on foot.
My guess was 50-60 in the vicinity, blocking the sidewalk in front of the fence in front of the beer garden behind the bowling alley, and spreading north on Clay. And these weren't clean-cut kids heading to the movies. Many were in the category described as "Minority" and were obviously just out to roam the streets.
Hello? Where are the parents?!!!
Police presence no doubt was the cause of their moving along fairly promptly. Here we are at the beginning of the summer. School isn't out yet, but the gangs are already roaming the streets.
We the People are not about to let gangs take over Woodstock. All law-abiding people - men, women, boys, girls - are welcome, as long as they obey the laws. If they form gangs and block sidewalks, jaywalk, walk in the streets or ride bikes so as to impede traffic, litter, or disturb the peace, then they should be arrested.
Heavy police contact with them should be constant to identify them. Write lots of contact cards. Tighten down on curfew. Three young males crossed Church Street right as the cop on foot passed them, and he didn't say a word to them. Why not run them up to the crosswalk, after writing out contact cards?
What will Main Street look like later tonight and later this summer? Will the restaurateurs' and movie theater business suffer? What will the Park in the Square look like and sound like?
The police alone will not be able to control these gangs. It is going to take parents, social workers, school personnel, church members - everyone.
If you are unwilling to let Woodstock go to the dogs, then speak up now. Contact the City Council, Mayor, City Manager and Police Chief. Tell them now what you expect. Come on down to the Square and enjoy it. If you are not able to enjoy it because of the punks, call the police.
The time to establish order is now, before it gets more out of control.
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9 comments:
Profiling? Naughty Naughty.
"Minority" was a general description of a large number of the young people gathered last night. It's only profiling if you pick out a loiterer or litterer or criminal or suspect because of a characteristic.
I don't care if people are black, white, yellow, brown, black, etc. I don't like gangs, period. I don't like groups of people of any age whose actions result in intimidation or bullying. I don't like pants hanging down below the hips or punks with their stupid caps canted sideways.
If I have anything to say about it, we are not going to have gangs running Woodstock.
Anybody with me?
A reader wrote this morning that Channel 2 News reported on "flash mobs" at 10:00PM last night. Kids will twitter each other with a time and location to meet and they sometimes get out of control.
Hopefully, police learned last night whether that medium was used to tell others about the gathering.
if you weren't a racist, the word "minority" would not be in your report. since Hispanics now exceed 50% in most McHenry county, it is you - the racist - who is in the minority.
If wanting to put a stop to gangs of any age, race or color makes me a racist, then you can call me a racist.
Not sure where you are getting your facts. The U.S. Census Bureau (2010) reports that 11.3% of McHenry County are persons of Hispanic or Latino origin.
I'll admit that the Census figures are erroneous, due to construction of the Census questions. Even so, Hispanics do NOT make up 50%+ of McHenry County's population.
If you are going to make accusations, I invite you come out of hiding and put your true name on your comments.
What you have described Gus, is a 'cultural' event and probably not any 'gang' activity.
My guess is that you were speaking to a 'minority' of Hispanics.
Well, in Mexico, folks do in fact 'Hang Out' and visit with one another. That was one of the thing I really admired about the Mexican culture...neighbors just as we did growing up if you're in the 50ish range, can recall moms and dads sitting out on nice evenings, on lawn chairs in driveways, just 'visiting.'
Mexican people as most might know, are all about spending time together. They work hard, and in the evenings, although it might appear intimidating to us white folks, are really just enjoying time together.
I would be willing to bet that if you walked past these groups who have gathered and just said "Good Evening" or "Hey Guys," in return, you would probably get a 'return' "Hello" and have no problems.
I think we are so used to seeing most kids today inside the house playing on those darn Wii and video machines, that when we see what are probably good kids just hang'n out 'socializing,' unfortunately, many assume the worse and find themselves feeling fear.
Just a thought...Thanks
Thanks, Bounty Hunter. I'd love to say that last night was a "cultural" event. I was there and, in my opinion, it wasn't.
And, by the way, I haven't been referring to any Hispanics who were there. I used the reference "like Cabrini-Green" in a phone call last night.
The stare-downs from some were obvious and would have been intimidating to some passersby.
I recall some very pleasant Saturday nights on a town square in a small town in northern Belize about 15 miles south of the border with Mexico. Families were there with children of many ages. No policia, either.
Come and visit the Woodstock Square on a Friday or Saturday night. Then write again. Thanks for your comment.
Hi Gus,
I was in the square with my family, too. It is a major problem. The language is awful, the behavior is very blue, the choice of dress is disresepctful at best. Besides "hanging out" all over the place - alongside parked cars as well as inside the park, they circle the square and jump in/out of cars. We were all teens once, but this is out of control, already! My family was VERY offended by all of the above. I agree completely with Gus. FYI, don't jump to conclusions - they were not hispanic.
coconuts, thanks for your comment this morning. It should take the City about 2-3 weeks to correct the problem, IF they do anything.
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