Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Association

This afternoon around 3 pm one of us was walking the dog down the alley between 39th and 40th Street in the 400 block.

First a hiss of a spray can was heard and as I came upon the garage/yard at 433 North 39th Street (vacant property with a yard full of garbage and filth).

I saw 3 kids right around 2nd grader age. The boy who was african american, stocky build, shaved head, white t shirt and blue jean shorts was with two little girls his age or younger-the boy had a spray paint can in his hand and dropped it- a vulgar word had been sprayed on the garage and ''Suck My Dick'' was sprayed on the back of the house in St. Patricks Day green.

I asked him what he was doing and he said ''He didn't do it''-that said guilty to me. I walked back home and called police.

As I was leaving, he and the others headed up to 39th street thru the yard.
Turns out the kids was from 429 North 39th Street-the police did show up within 10 minutes, and had the kids sitting on the front porch, and each officer appeared to be talking to two females who may have been the Mom(s).

I hope the Mom(s) got a nice heft ticket. It appears that 429 North 39th Street is becoming a problem property there have been other incidents as well.

The property they vandalized has a 90 day clean up order attached to it but the trash problem is getting out of hand in that rats hane been seen.

By 40th Street and Clybourn

ProblemsStarting Earlier

I do notice there are a ton of new kids and adults on 39th Street-
It's upsetting that we have such young little criminals running around doing such damage-if they are like this in 1st or 2nd grade god help us when they are older!
Someone at home must be setting a great example!

By 40th Street Neighbor

That Re: this block

I have not lived her long but do notice some of these properties in the 400 block of 39th Street seem overcrowded with kids and adults.
I see it at the 429 address mentioned, also the apartment building at 423 North 39th Street-there are way to many scary looking people hangin out in front of both thise places.
There is a duplex across the street which is white and looks really trash ythat looks that it's overspilling with people.
Are there not codes as how many people can live in a place?

By 39th Street Resident

there are rules

I believe that no more than 3 unrelated people can live together (city ordinance). If you think people are breaking the rules and you do not want to call- please post the address and someone who reads this site will take care of reporting it. Please give an address of the suspected violator.

Does anyone know if we can put pressure on the city to reposses that house or the bank to put it on sale now?
Seems silly that we have to let people trash the place before action can be taken.
Janet

By Janet