Caption by Ashmar Mandou

Residents in Pilsen are taking elected officials to task over the increase in violence ravaging their neighborhood. During a meeting on Monday evening at the Lincoln Methodist Church, many residents vocalized their discontent at the handling of safety concerns and increased spikes in crime. Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th Ward, called Monday’s meeting. Recently, Sigcho-Lopez has drawn the ire of constituents who are now living in the middle of a gang turf war, according to CPD sources. “As a community, we cannot normalize the situation,” he said. “We have over 800 people who have died during this pandemic because of gun violence. “We need to come together. This crisis is affecting all of us.” The sister of Michael Hernandez, who was recently gunned down while parking his car outside of his home on Friday, Dec. 3rd spoke at the meeting. “We have the right to live in peace,” said Yadira Hernandez. Michael Hernandez, 28, was set to take the Chicago Police Department entrance exam the next day. Chicago police commanders pointed to simmering disputes between rival gangs, suggesting Hernandez was possibly mistaken for someone else.