Neighborhood children ran during the intersection of Thomas Street and Monticello Avenue taking part in video games as cops passed out drawstring baggage full of sweets in Humboldt Park Friday night.
The “On the Block” tournament welcomed cops from the Chicago Police Department’s 11th District. Officers carried young children, helped children tie-dye shirts and danced in the course of the road.
Lucy Diaz, 55, is a member of the 1000 North Monticello block membership and has helped put in combination identical occasions all over the summer season. She mentioned it was once necessary to have cops enticing with early life locally to turn them law enforcement officials aren’t unhealthy and provides them a favorable revel in.
“Events like these allow people to get to know each other and build trust, and with the amount of violence happening in the city it is important to develop that trust,” Diaz mentioned. “We can get to know our police officers on a personal basis, and they get to know who we are too.”
A block celebration on Monticello Avenue in Humboldt Park Friday featured Chicago cops from the 11th District dancing and taking part in with community youngsters.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
District Cmdr. Darrell Spencer echoed how necessary the development is to bettering police family members with the group.
“This is an opportunity for the police department to come together with the community and have a positive event,” Spencer mentioned. “More so, it is an opportunity for kids to come out and play peacefully in a safe environment.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot — who didn’t discuss with newshounds — walked the block, taking photos and talking with citizens. Lightfoot performed pickleball with community children at within the intersection of Monticello Avenue and Thomas Street.
Annie Cassell sat in entrance of the construction she has lived in since 1978, shouting to her sister to take an image with the mayor.
“It is a blessing to see her on our block because I never thought I would see her in-person in my lifetime,” 67-year-old Cassell mentioned. “It shows that she really cares about our neighborhood.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks with citizens at a block membership tournament in Humboldt Park on Friday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot strolling round and greeting citizens — in a pandemic-approved manner — at a block celebration Friday within the 1000 block of North Monticello Avenue in Humboldt Park.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times