The Waukegan City Council heard residents express concerns Monday about increasing violence they have seen in their neighborhoods this summer.
While not many spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, half of those who did pointed to fears that street crime could take the life of someone they love and asked council members to do something.
Within the past few months, Waukegan has experienced shootings that have resulted in death and injuries. On Aug. 5, the Lake County sheriff’s office announced that a long-term local and federal investigation into a street gang culminated in charges of drug trafficking and weapons felonies against 10 people, at least two of whom were Waukegan residents.
Teddy Anderson, who usually attends City Council meetings in the capacity of a Waukegan Park District employee, said this time she was at the podium as a concerned community member.
“When I hear gunshots in my neighborhood three or four times a week, and I see cars speeding 60-70-80 mph down the road, I’m really, really concerned,” Anderson said. “This is craziness and, you know, we’re going to lose people this way.”
Anderson said she’d be willing to work with anyone on ways to end the situation, which she suggested was the entire community’s responsibility to work toward changing.
Ald. Roudell Kirkwood, 4th Ward, asked Police Chief Wayne Walles how many officers patrol the streets during the daytime and night shifts.
Walles said about 15 to 20 do during the night shift, and 11 to 15 during the day.
Kirkwood said that isn’t enough.
“I think for a city of this size, we don’t have enough police officers on the road,” Kirkwood said. “We need to make sure we beef up our police department.”
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According to the 2020 Census, Waukegan’s population is 86,452.
On the city’s website, it says the police department is composed of 148 police officers.
Other concerns brought up by residents and council members were about a vacant and dilapidated home on the southwest corner of McAllister and 8th Street that has been scheduled to be demolished, as classes are now in session and the abandoned home is near a school.
Finally going through with the demolishment or boarding it up were ideas offered up as safety precautions.
Mayor Ann Taylor took time to thank staff, residents and aldermen, “who all give so much for your community, all in your own unique way” as she finished her first 100 days in office.
“Together, we have passed a balanced budget and have successfully reorganized city departments to better serve our residents and businesses,” Taylor said.