Crime Wave Hits Hyde Park On Halloween Night

CHICAGO – Halloween night in Hyde Park was once again overcome by group violence and criminal behavior. University of Chicago police reported four incidents of armed robbery, robbery or aggravated battery in a one-hour span and Chicago police say several vehicles were damaged by a large group of teenagers on one street in the neighborhood.

Despite numerous community events planned to deter violence, it was another active night for police in the neighborhood in and around the University of Chicago. Thousands of teenagers lined Lake Park Avenue before spilling into the neighborhood's downtown, the Hyde Park Herald reports.

An armed robbery was reported at 9:20 p.m. in the 1600 block of East 56th Street, where University police say three people struck a victim with their fists and demanded property. When the victim struggled, the muggers showed a handgun and took the victim's iPhone and silver chain.

The 10 p.m. hour was even more heated, with University police reporting a "large group of suspects" pushing someone to the ground in the 5500 block of South University and taking a cell phone wallet and keys. Someone else walking in the 1100 block of East 56th Street was attacked unprovoked by a large group of people who fled in various directions around the same time and another victim in the 1200 block of East Hyde Park Boulevard said they were attacked by a number of people who fled with a cell phone.

Earlier in the night, police said a large group of teens damaged several vehicles in the 5400 block of South Ridgewood.

Police have not announced any charges, although the Herald reports several arrests were made.

The unrest in the neighborhood on Halloween is nothing new. Two years ago, neighborhood residents witnessed a clash between police, students and teenagers on 53rd Street. Violence erupted again in 2017 despite events planned that year as well.

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