A late-night fight in Lakeview led to a stabbing July 3. The incident is the latest in a slew of violent altercations to cause uproar among many Lakeview residents who say that crime in the neighborhood is out of control.
The incident occurred at 11:54 p.m. at Halsted and Aldine, according to police. A 25 year-old male was stabbed in a physical altercation. No others were reported injured. Information on his condition was not immediately available.
A video of the fight that led to the stabbing was posted to YouTube and re-circulated on the “Take Back Boystown” Facebook page, which was created last week in response to what members say is an increase in crime in Boystown.
The video shows several people attacking the stabbing victim, kicking and hitting him while he is on the ground. He is seen at the end of the video holding what looks like a shirt over the side of his torso. The man who is believed to have posted the video commented that the victim suffered multiple stab wounds.
The incident had many on the “Take Back Boystown” page calling for action, specifically from 44th Ward Ald. Tom Tunney, who is offering free alert whistles available at his office.
“Thank you for the offer for a free whistle…” said one man. “I will be stopping by to blow mine in front of your office, as you continue to focus your efforts on the income of business by means of the proposed Wal-Mart on Broadway, and avoid all discussion about the violent crimes that are being committed in the Ward you are supposedly representing.”
Lakeview residents are planning to discuss recent crimes and possible response at the next CAPS meeting on Wednesday, July 6 at 7 p.m. The meeting is scheduled to take place at the auditorium at Inter-American Elementary School at 851
West Waveland Ave. For more information go to www.44thward.org/Safety%20Pages/About_CAPS.html.