Video Shows Escalating Gang Problem In Little Village
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A video on Youtube speaks of a building gang war, just as the weather snaps.
CBS 2's Brad Edwards spoke with one community advocate who was sounding the alarm, while another man has simply had enough.
By day, it's where kids play. It is Little Village's K-Town, for the "K" street names.
It's the epicenter of a neighborhood under siege, from shattered windows to a beat-down in a local park.
In one of two videos, posted for the world to see on Youtube, one gang cracks at another.
"It's an outrage," said Raul Montes Jr., Community Activist in Little Village. "Very disturbing to see the infiltration of gangs. It's very defiant. We have a lot to lose, we have a lot at risk. Something needs to be done to breaking the law. We need to stop another tragedy."
In an ultimate sign of brinksmanship, a gang-banger marks territory by urinating on a street corner.
"I think we have to do something," said one 87-year-old man who lives nearby.
He's had a front seat to the violence, his son taken by violence he says -- years ago; his house targeted:
"Three times they tried to broke in my house. I believe it was gangs," he said.
He said he doesn't have enough money to leave, so he stays.
"This is a warning. This is a wake-up call," said Raul Montes.
The Youtube member in question has 4,000 subscribers and 4 million video views. Another inflammatory video, same place, posted Sunday.
The sheriff's office gang teams and Intelligence Center are both interested, and investigating the videos CBS 2 passed along.
The Chicago Police Superintendent's office said the gang violence reduction initiative is a priority, and said "we won't rest until everyone feels safe."
