‘We Don't Feel Safe Anymore': Crime on 606 Trail Rarely Solved, Investigation Shows

Of 175 crimes reported on Chicago's Bloomingdale Trail, only 17 arrests have been made

Since the 2015 opening of Chicago’s 606 Trail, 175 crimes have been reported in its direct vicinity—and only one in every 10 cases are closed, according to an NBC 5 investigation.

The trail stretches along the 1st, 26th and 32nd wards, but the aldermen of those areas did not respond to request for comment. After hearing that cameras along the 2.7 miles of trail were not active, police referred inquiries to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications who did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Nearly 2,000 people use the paved running and biking trail that connects parks and four northwest communities every day.

Including Rosa Altamirano’s 69-year-old father, who was attacked and robbed on a Saturday morning while walking the trail.

“The 606 is supposed to attract people here, but at the time it’s attracting criminals,” Altamirano said.

Nearly five weeks after the attack, Altamirano’s father is still recovering.

“We don’t feel safe anymore,” she said. “There is not enough supervision, not enough surveillance.”

The Altamirano’s say they’ve requested the video of the attack from trail surveillance cameras but have yet to hear back.

“Why isn’t there enough policing in this Chicago attraction,” Rosa Altamirano asked.

Of the 175 reported crimes only 17 arrests have been made.

Other trail users say, despite the crime, they will continue to enjoy The 606.

“I would hope [the cameras] are on to help deal with consequences, but at the same time you have to watch out for yourself,” said Mari Gotz, who added she uses the trail every day.

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