Logan Square Residents Take Back Their Blocks

150 Logan Square community residents gathered at LSNA’s “Hoops in the Hood” on Friday, August 22nd on the 3500 W. Dickens block. “Hoops in the Hood” is residents’ way of taking back their block from negative activities and other unhealthy living.
    Logan Square residents took back their block in a way that is non-traditional. They rolled out basketball hoops, double-dutch, and healthy eating. The main event was a series of 10 games played between teams of teenagers from various neighborhoods throughout Chicago. They encouraged their neighbors to come out and see their community the way it’s intended to be: healthy and safe. The residents along with LSNA use healthy living and eating as a non-confrontational approach to start organizing themselves to decrease violence. Police presence was part of the event but not the strength for keeping order.
    The driving force is residents responding to rising shootings and killings in the last year, including the murder of a 13-year-old girl in the borderline of gangs and police districts last year. LSNA is taking the lead in organizing these healthy block clubs and encouraging residents to come out and play.
    Unlike most block clubs that focus on neighborhood watches and police presence, healthy block clubs are organizing and promoting the Hoops In The Hood as a way to get the residents involved in positive activities to build strong relationships and make their living environment a healthy peaceful place.      
    Although LSNA is helping to sponsor and lead these events, with funding from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), it is the residents that take charge in making sure the community is served and protected through involving neighbors, community agencies and police.
    Israel Robles a community resident states “It’s a chance to know your neighbors and see how people who get organized can get things done.”