I agree 100 percent with your Oct. 8 editorial supporting the closure of 500-502 W. Oak St.
In my years as a patrolman in the 18th District, I was always apprehensive about entering that building, and I usually did so with my gun in hand, whatever the nature of the call. The building is probably the worst maintained of all Cabrini-Green high-rises, with next to no lighting whatsoever in the hallways, a hazardous situation for the residents (of which there are few) as well as police.
Lots of drugs are sold there, and I could usually find cars in the parking lot with white customers nervously awaiting their “packages” from the many runners standing around outside to accommodate their needs, as well of those of the many addicted Cabrini residents.
The building is the only one controlled by the Vice Lords, and it was constantly at war with the 1015-1017 N. Larrabee building. The buildings’ occupants would frequently blast away at each other with impunity. I believe 500-502 W. Oak should have been the first high-rise to be torn down, not only to protect the kids at the nearby Jenner school but everyone else who must pass that hideous structure.
Oh, and did I mention that the condition inside and out is beyond filthy? Do paid CHA janitors ever go there to clean anything? The sooner the CHA tears that building down, the better. What is the CHA waiting for?
