Recently there has been a noticeably large spike in robberies involving street vendors in the neighborhood of Little Village. Chicago street vendors say they’re being unfairly targeted by robbers, and are demanding more police protection. The spike in violence and robberies have left many of the city’s street vendors feeling unsafe at work.
Residents of Little Village know that street vendors are the heart and soul of the area. They are everywhere, especially down on 26th Street.
Alderman Raymond Lopez said he visited several areas and was surprised by what he saw. “I’m talking about three or four times that I have seen individuals with guns, literally standing over them, collecting money from them,” Lopez told CBS Chicago.
Thieves often approach vendors on the sidewalk with a gun pointed to scare them into handing over their cash. The thieves wear hoodies to make it hard for police officers to identify them. So far, none of these robbers have been captured by police.
In the past, street vendors reported that they have been robbed weekly. However, in recent months, these robberies have increased in frequency and become more violent.
Robberies in the 10th Police District Jumped 13%
The 10th Police District, which covers a portion of Chicago’s west side, saw robbery incidents jump 13% in 2022 compared with the previous year. The number of robberies increased from 1,847 to 2,038 during that time frame, with 279 incidents in all categories.
Robberies also increased by 8% in the 11th and 12th districts. Both are also on the West Side and have less than 200 officers combined on patrol at any given time.
One of the victims, Maria Valasquez, was robbed on Nov. 11, 2022, and again on December 4. “I myself have gotten robbed four times already within two months,” said Valasquez.
“This is the seventh time I’ve been robbed. It has affected my family and it has traumatized me and I don’t know what to do anymore,” said Maria Aguilar, another vendor. “This is the fourth time I got robbed since November,” said Aguilar. “I don’t know if it’s going to be a client or a person that will rob me again.”
Proposed Solutions From Political Leaders
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has proposed the idea of helping vendors not carry cash as a way to reduce the number of robberies. Although this sounds like a good idea, vendors claim that it would not benefit them and their business practices. Lightfoot defended her stance on public safety and her attempts to allay the worries of street vendors during a debate last week.
Lightfoot said, “We have been working with those street vendors in Little Village, understanding the nature of the crime, making sure that we’re doing things in concert with them to help them, make sure that their money is secure, and, if at all possible, not use money — using other forms of transactions to take care of themselves.”
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia stated that Mayor Lightfoot’s advice to Chicagoans was among the most out-of-touch things she has ever uttered. Garcia, who is also vying for mayor, represented Little Village as the 22nd Ward Alderman from 1986 to 1993.
“Crime is an issue, and she has done little to address it. She is now blaming crime victims for being robbed,” he claimed.
Alderman Rodriguez Leads the Way
Alderman Mike Rodriguez’s (22nd) office has held workshops with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce to inform businesses about the options for collecting payment other than cash in order to minimize the loss in the case of a robbery. He said that equipment vendors can use free apps.
However, Rodriguez emphasized it is just one strategy for lowering the risk faced by street vendors.
He has collaborated with the 10th Police District, which includes Little Village and some of Pilsen, to boost the number of police officers patrolling 26th Street at night and in the early hours of the morning, according to Rodriguez. He claimed to have personally noticed the rise and to have received similar reports from merchants.
The alderman added that he intends to meet with other members of the city council to discuss alternatives. Other vendors were robbed in Gage Park, Brighton Park, and areas close to Chinatown, according to authorities.
Solutions From The People
These issues have really hit a nerve within the community. Many residents are trying their best to battle this and stand together. One of the main residents that’s pushing for the protection of the street vendors is a community leader and “Voice of Little Village,” Almighty Blessing.
“If the police are not pushing for our hard working street vendors then we the people will!” says Almighty Blessing.
Organizations like the Brown Berets have been coming together to aid these vendors in their time of need. Members have spoken out against this issue saying how strong and brave these vendors are.
Angel Valdes, a member of the Brown Berets, wants the best for his community. He says that members take turns patrolling the streets warning vendors and watching their backs.
Next Steps
There are many reports that have hit the Chicago Police Department, but not an accurate number. Police are aware of the situation and say they are working intensively to fix this problem. These are just a few examples of the violence that is plaguing our city, and it’s time we do something about it.
First, let’s keep the police honest by ensuring they’re doing their jobs. Second, the vendors need protection.
Written by Esteban Ruiz and Daniel Batalla
Sources:
Block Club Chicago: Facing Spike In Robberies, Little Village Street Vendors Say Mayor’s Suggestion To Go Cashless Won’t Keep Them Safe
CBS News: Chicago street vendors plea for help after several targeted by thieves
Chicago 5: Little Village Street Vendors Demand More Police After Recent Armed Robberies
Chicago Sun-Times: Little Village street vendors demand more police after recent armed robberies. ‘It’s really hurting our community
Interview: Almighty Blessing, Community Leader and “Voice of Little Village”, February 6, 2023
WTTW: Volunteers Work to Protect Little Village Street Vendors Amid Uptick in Robberies
Featured Image Courtesy of Paul Sableman’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
