Streeterville Organization of Active Residents creates safety culture to prevent, reduce crime

The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) provides an excellent example of a Chicago grassroots neighborhood organization where members use multiple strategies to make public safety a neighborhood priority. The creation of a “culture of safety” is central to the mission of a nonprofit organization like SOAR.

SOAR’s Public Safety Task Force, led by long-term Chair, Robert Johnson, a former first responder, organizes and implements three major strategies to promote a culture of safety in the neighborhood: safety awareness activities, personal safety tactics and ongoing communication with the CPD’s 18th District, Cook County Sheriff ’s Department, Fire Department and Northwestern University police.

SOAR organizes community forums, conducts safety seminars for residential buildings and leads neighborhood walks with law enforcement officers. The organization can also be found distributing safety information flyers and tips at their farmers market in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art every Tuesday during the summer months.

SOAR members participate in city-wide task forces and committees to make sure residents’ voices and ideas are heard by policy makers and resource managers. Members are also trained as court advocates and attend criminal trials to represent the neighborhood’s interests.

Volunteers for SOAR’s safety task force host an annual First Responders Luncheon at the Chicago Avenue fire station where they acknowledge the hard work of police officers, firefighters and first responders with awards and donations to the Chicago Police Foundation for purchase of equipment to protect officers.

SOAR advocacy efforts also support new state laws and city ordinances sponsored by local Aldermen. Some examples include efforts to arrest and convict retail theft gangs; increased penalties for illegal parking, drag racing and street parties; and the deployment of additional police officers to hot spots identified by residents’ 911 calls.

The task force also participates in problem solving activities including participation in the Chicago Police 18th District Advisory Council and the district’s Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meetings. The meetings give residents a real opportunity to collaborate with law enforcement to make sure their practices produce measurable results.

All these activities require many volunteer hours and financial support from local sponsors and businesses such as Northwestern Medicine, Northwestern University, First Northern Credit Union and Wintrust Bank. Condominium Management Companies, such as First Service Residential, residential building management members and condominium associations also contribute. All told, a coordinated team of civic-minded individuals and organizations support the Streeterville community’s safety initiatives.

Anyone who lives, works or enjoys this dynamic Streeterville neighborhood is encouraged to become a member of SOAR. You can pick up additional information from SOAR at their farmers market, call their office at (312) 280-2596 or visit their website at soarchicago.org.