Neighbors demanded answers from police and their alderman Thursday about a series of raids in a South Side neighborhood after a federal agent was shot there.
People in the Back of the Yards neighborhood say they want their community to be safe — and police say so do they.
“I’m scared," resident Carmen Guzman said. "I’m scared for my children."
Frustration and anger built from people in the neighborhood about ongoing violence.
"(I'm) more frightened than ever because we don’t have any protection in this neighborhood!" said neighbor Virginia Camarillo.
They’re upset over the recent raids of homes — after an ATF agent was shot in the neighborhood.
But Chicago police Cpt. Don Jerome said the warrants needed to be executed.
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“There was probable cause to serve these warrants at these eight different locations that was developed by the federal agencies," he said.
Ald. Raymond Lopez, in whose 15th Ward the raids took place, said they were successful, despite concern from residents.
“Every house that was raided, produced either guns, drugs, or ammunition or all of the above,” Lopez said.
Lopez says more people need to tell police about illegal activity to prevent more crime.
“Stop making excuses for those people who have been arrested five, six, seven times for guns, drugs and violence,” he said.
Neighbors say they don’t always know who’s doing the crime because gangs come in from other areas.
“That’s how her two sons got shot in this neighborhood because other rivals they come in here," Camarillo said. "So how do we know?"
Neighbors say they want to see more officers patroling but also say there’s a lack of trust.
“I get that. I know that," Jerome said. "I would hope you understand that 90 something percent - I hope you don’t go crazy - of the police I know are willing to work with you and are good."
Police say they’re adding more patrols in the Back of the Yards — including bike patrols now that it’s getting warmer.
