Ald. Dowell, Police and Businesses Work to Address Safety and Loitering Concerns at Roosevelt/Wabash

Some interesting information regarding loitering around Wabash/Roosevelt from Alderman Dowell's newsletter:

This week, Alderman Pat Dowell and 1st District Police Commander Robert Klich met with the owners of BP, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Jewel to devise a plan to address the public safety issues on the corner of Roosevelt Rd. and Wabash Ave. Currently that corner experiences a high volume of loitering and passive and aggressive panhandling, potentially causing a disturbance for neighborhood residents as they pass through this highly trafficked area. 

The businesses at the meeting were quite receptive to working together, with the police and with the community to make sure the area is clean and safe. The BP has committed to moving its fence to the property line, increase security on-site to 24 hours a day and remove the patio on its property. The Dunkin Donuts has expressed interest in sharing security with the BP. Jewel stated it will ensure their security moves individuals from the area. All the businesses, including the Starbucks, have signed complaint forms with the 1st District allowing the police to respond to issues immediately without having to wait for residents or businesses to call in a complaint. Additionally, all the businesses committed to calling the police when issues arise.

(Hat tip: ND!)