Prostitutes and pimps unhappy about Sunday community patrol on North Avenue

+Frnt row: L.Sapienza, E. Rios, R. Locke, J. Kopera, S. Frizelis, S.Waguespack. Bk row: M. Buban, S. & C. Jensen and C. Schult

Over the years North Ave. between Milwaukee and Ashland has been like a hub for prostitution. Complaints have been coming into both Aldermen Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) and 1st Ward Proco "Joe" Moreno's office time and time again.

Joe Kopera on patrol

Waguespack and Schult share some stories

On Sun. Aug. 21, from 4 to 6:30 a.m. Waguespack along with a few residents and a rep from Moreno's office and Chicago Alternative Policing Strategies (CAPS) representatives armed with city vests and flash lights, along with the help of the Chicago Police, once again walked this strip of North Ave. in an effort to rid the strip of prostitutes and their "Johns."

While not a large group due mainly to the time of day, the patrol walked the strip in small groups of two to four people. Walking along both sides of North Ave. they flashed their flashlights on John's hoping to land a trick and angering a few prostitutes. All in all it was just an effort to send a message that it's time for these prostitutes to move on.

Elizabeth Rios and the Jensens head out on another patrol armed with flashlights

Prior to former Alderman Manny Flores being elected as 1st Ward Alderman, he was known to walk with residents of the area in an effort to clean up North Ave. and rid it of this problem.

Mark Buban and Lauren Sapienza plan next walk while Ronda Locke, Steve Jensen and Scott Waguespack head toward other assignment

Police stings are done from time to time but the prostitution continues. Court Advocates attend a few court cases that are the result of prostitution arrests. Pimps, currently from Milwaukee, WI, regularly drive in and drop off prostitutes along this stretch of North Ave. At a recent CAPS meeting a resident complained that he found a note on his door advising him that there was sexual activity in the rear yard of his building.

+ Frnt: Lauren Sapienza, Elizabeth Rios, Ronda Locke, Joe Kopera, Shelley Frizelis, Waguespack. Bk:Mark Buban, Steve & Christine Jensen and Charles Schult.

*This editor was part of this patrol, which included periods of rain, and took these photos. I encourage you to share your stories about any activities in the area and to join the area patrols. Contact 32nd Ward office at 773.248.1330 or 1st Ward Office at  773.278.0101 to offer your time to being part of these citizen patrols. They do make a difference. If you see solicitation happening, call 911 and take a picture of the John's license plate.

Special thanks to the 14th District Police officers led by Sgt. Joe Giambrone, who put in extra hours to help the team.

Prostitutes were heard complaining to their pimps. Everyone driving along North Ave. saw the activity. It definitely sends the message..."not in my neighborhood! We object to solicitation in our area, move on!"