9-29-07 - EDITORIAL
WELCOME to Chicago's West Loop...But Don't Forget to Bring Your ATTORNEY
My neighbors and I did everything we were supposed to do and anything else we thought would help.We objected to extended Late Night Liquor Licenses from irresponsible nightclub owners. We gathered signatures and notarized statements to file a complaint with the Liquor License Department. We attended CAPS meetings. We initiated community meetings. We worked with the Police. We contacted the Alderman. We wrote letters. We sent emails. We documented the problems. We started this website. We added extra outdoor lighting on our buildings. We installed security cameras. We met with community leaders and organizations. We passed out fliers. We rented buses to attend City Hall meetings.
Yet, somehow, it just wasn't enough.
When the website was first launched, viewers expressed outrage that such behavior was recurring on Chicago's public streets. The outrage is now directed at the fact that some of this egregious behavior has continued, more than THREE AND A HALF YEARS after we began registering complaints.
As the nightly violence persisted, many voiced the opinion that “as soon as someone gets shot, then Chromium will be shut down”. Sadly, it seemed that most neighborhood residents were resigned to a human sacrifice as the only persuasive occurrence that would rouse City Officials into disciplining an irresponsible nightclub. They were wrong.
Last month, on August 19, 3:10 AM, a young man was shot to death on my street corner. His name was Omari Houston.
He'd come to my neighborhood to enjoy an evening with his friends.
He should have expected to be safe. He should have had a reasonable expectation that the nightclubs in the area were operating with a legitimate license, had a legitimate occupancy permit and were looking out for the safety of their patrons.
He likely wasn't aware there were teams of attorneys from several law firms, representing the interests of the nightclubs. He probably wasn't thinking about whether a nightclub in the area was under investigation by Chicago's Drug & Gang House Division.
He shouldn't have had to be concerned about “Due Process” or “Hearings” or “Continuances” or “pending license violations” or “Deleterious Impact”.
He probably didn't think he needed an attorney to come to my neighborhood.
He should have expected the Chicago laws that safeguard a liquor license, should have equally safeguarded him.
As the nightclubs closed at 3:00 AM, on the morning of August 19, 2007, a promising 28-year-old man, with no criminal history, gallantly came to the defense of some young women who were being harassed by drunken nightclub patrons. For his virtuous endeavors, Omari was shot to death at the corner of Lake and Halsted Streets.
This Editorial isn't about blaming, criticizing, chastising or pointing the finger. (I've saved those pursuits for the HOT TOPIC links)
With this Editorial,
I want you to remember.
I want you to remember an innocent young man who valiantly stood up to armed hoodlums to protect the females in his company. His name was Omari Houston.
Omari was shot to death in MY neighborhood.
Omari died on MY watch.
And I, for one, will never forget him.
Neither should you.
