Hanover Park addresses violence at forum

Lola Baker can't sleep at night.

She checks in on her children as they sleep, preoccupied with the recent spate of violence that has plagued her Hanover Park neighborhood. And Wednesday night's gang awareness forum at Laurel Hill Elementary School didn't provide much comfort.

The frustrated mother of three at one point shouted over the police department's presentation, "You're not answering our questions!"

Baker acknowledged the bilingual event, which drew about 300 residents, was a first step toward increasing safety in the village. However, she said the people who attended are already engaged and didn't benefit from a rundown of various gangs, their symbols or behavior in children that might signal gang affiliation.

"Don't tell me about the different gangs," Baker said afterward. "Tell me how to get rid of them."

Added her husband, Wayne Baker: "We shouldn't have to feel like prisoners in our own homes."

Residents, on edge following four homicides in the last three weeks, lined the gymnasium walls and spilled into adjacent rooms. They angrily called out their own scary encounters with gang members and questioned police tactics. But by the end, the audience seemed appeased by the village's actions, giving the police department a standing ovation.

When discussing the gangs most prominent in Hanover Park, Sgt. Joe Ciancio said it's important parents recognize changes in their children such as a drop in grades and attendance, becoming aggressive with authority, wearing gang colors or hanging out with older kids.

"If your son John suddenly has the nickname Shorty, that's something to be aware of," Ciancio said. "And remember that it's your house. There's no such thing as privacy when you're a kid."

He listed successes like the dramatic drop in gang graffiti from past years and outlined their zero tolerance policy with gang members.

Chief Ron Moser, also the interim village manager, confirmed after the forum that outside law enforcement agencies will provide Hanover Park with resources including manpower. He won't go into specifics, but said the state police and area departments will be involved.

"They've offered help and we'll take them up on it," Moser said. "It will happen soon."

Charges have been filed in the three most recent slayings, but police are still searching for Jesus Sanchez's killer. The 16-year-old was gunned down a block from his home on May 23 in a gang-related shooting.

Reports said a domestic dispute claimed the life of a pregnant mother of two on June 4, The third homicide occurred Saturday, when police said a 16-year-old stabbed a 23-year-old male to death during a gang fight at a party. Later that day, a 51-year-old woman was killed when she interrupted a home invasion by a former co-worker who broke in to feed his drug addiction, according to reports.

Forum: Charges still not filed in 16-year-old's slaying

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=362">Hanover Park resident forum on violence </a></li> </ul> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=299830">Key questions addressed at Hanover Park forum<span class="date"> [6/10/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>