🚔😳 255 CRIMES IN TWO BLOCKS?! RIVER NORTH RESIDENTS SAY THEY'VE BEEN BEGGING CHICAGO FOR HELP

Baby, 255 reported crimes. TWO BLOCKS. TWO YEARS.

At some point, that stops sounding like a troublesome corner and starts sounding like somebody needs to explain what the hell is happening over there.

Chicago police crime data reviewed by CBS Chicago shows officers investigated 255 reported crimes during the past two years on two River North blocks surrounding the vacant former Hard Rock Cafe at 63 W. Ontario Street and Rainforest Cafe at 605 N. Clark Street.

And according to residents, this didn't just start yesterday.

😳 RESIDENTS SAY THE ALLEY HAS BECOME A MESS

Neighbors say much of the trouble is concentrated in the alley between the vacant properties.

We're talking allegations of break-ins, open drug use, public nudity, sexual activity, needles, garbage and rats. One longtime resident told reporters that crowds can sometimes reach around 30 people in the alley.

And here's the part that would have Lady Red standing at somebody's City Hall desk with a folding chair:

Residents say they've been complaining for SIX YEARS.

They say they've called police, contacted the alderman's office, submitted repeated 311 complaints and even written to the mayor.

SIX YEARS?!

Baby, after year three I shouldn't still be calling 311. 311 should be calling ME asking if y'all finally fixed it. 😂

🏚️ AND THOSE EMPTY BUILDINGS AREN'T HELPING

The former Rainforest Cafe has been closed since 2020, while the Hard Rock Cafe closed in 2025 after 39 years.

Now you've got two prominent vacant properties sitting across an alley from one another in one of Chicago's busiest neighborhoods.

The alderman's office says it knows about the problem and has been pushing the property owner for better maintenance. Chicago's building code also requires property owners to maintain structures and outdoor areas in clean, sanitary and safe condition.

But residents are basically saying:

Wonderful. Who is actually going to FIX IT?

Because periodically cleaning an alley and watching everything return isn't exactly a master plan.

🤔 AND LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT 255 NUMBER

That figure represents reported crimes investigated by police on those two blocks over two years. It does not mean there were 255 convictions, nor does it mean every reported incident occurred specifically inside that alley.

Chicago's own crime-data disclaimer says reported incidents can be based on preliminary information and classifications can change after further investigation.

Still...

255 reported crimes in TWO BLOCKS?!

River North is one of the most recognizable neighborhoods in Chicago. People live there. Tourists walk there. Restaurants, hotels and nightlife surround the area.

Residents should not have to look off their balconies wondering whether today's view is going to be the Chicago skyline or somebody's draws next to a rat eating a Portillo's fry.

COME ON, CHICAGO.

If residents have really been sounding the alarm for six years, the question isn't whether the city knows there's a problem.

The question is why they're still having to ask for help.

QUESTION: If residents repeatedly complain about a problem property for YEARS, should the city eventually be able to step in and force the owner to clean it up and secure it?

730 BOOM RADIO

IT HITS DIFFERENT. EVERY TIME. BOOM! 💥