Police presence, art used to fight crime on Evanston-Chicago border

EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Police in Chicago and Evanston are teaming up to try and stop the escalating violence along their border.

Along Howard Street, it's a street scape between the two cities that's on its way up, but a spate of recent shootings revolving around a store known in police circles as a gang hideout has unnerved neighbors.

"We are trying to bring light in this neighborhood, you're trying to build a bridge between Evanston and the surrounding neighborhoods so it is really unfortunate for what happened here," said Badara Diakhate, Badou Senegalese Cuisine.

Police from Chicago and Evanston conducted a joint roll call Wednesday night as a show of force against the recent crime.

"I felt protected and actually felt the community was protected also, and it makes people feel better knowing that police are around," said Latoya Smith, Infinity and Me Hair Salon.

But less than three hours later, another shooting occurred on Birchwood, just a block away.

This shooting comes after another on Oct. 13 along Howard Street that police say involved at least three documented gang members.

Still, police say their cooperation is effective.

"Just keeping up on the goings on on both sides of Howard Street, which helps greatly in knowing who all the players are and taking them off the street," said Commander Joe Dugan, Evanston Police Department.

A husband-and-wife artist duo has a commission from the Rogers Park Business Association to help beautify Howard Street. Despite the shootings from a few weeks ago happening right here, they think their art makes a difference to those who come here.

"They see color on the walls and they see inspiring messages and hopeful imagery that helps bring them together in seeing new things," said Lea Pinsky, an artist.

That greatness is something the local alderman can't stop talking about. It's the context of building a community she thinks needs to stay top-of-mind.

"Yes, every now and then, unfortunate incidents happen and we deal with them, the police are all over it," said Ald. Ann Rainey of Evanston's Ward 8.