Volunteers leave information in mailboxes as members of the Exodus walk down the streets performing on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Austin community leader Zerlina Smith asks community members and neighbors to join them on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Members of the Exodus adult marching band group perform on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Not on their watch: Members of the Exodus adult marching band group perform while walking up and down the street on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Austin. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Volunteers and participants walk down the road going door-to-door with information on the spike in recent carjackings in the area on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Marching out crime: Members of the Exodus marching band walk through the neighborhood performing on Friday, Nov. 17, during a Good Neighbor Campaign rally on Massasoit Avenue near Augusta Street in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. | ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer

During a Nov. 17 rally and march that started at 900 N. Massasoit, dozens of community members, galvanized by the Westside Health Authority’s Good Neighbor Campaign, gathered to send a message that a recent spate of armed robberies in the area won’t be tolerated. 

Since late September, according to Chicago Police Department data, at least 13 armed and strong armed robberies have taken place in the 15th District, six of them have happened on between the 800 and 1100 blocks of North Massasoit. The earliest incidents have taken place at 9:30 a.m. (Oct. 15, on the 100 block of North Massasoit) while the latest incident has happened at 11:30 p.m. (Oct. 28, on the 5900 block of West Division). 

“In each incident, the offender(s) approached the victims while they are walking alone or seated alone in their vehicles,” the police stated. “The offenders then strike the victims or produce a weapon and demand the victim’s property and/or vehicles.” 

According to police, between two and six offenders, all of the black males between 16 and 21 years old, have been suspected in the robberies.

“The offenders usually approach the victims with their hoods up or wearing masks,” police said. “At least one of the offenders has dreadlocks and another may have three tear drops tattooed on his face.” 

Anyone with information on the incidents are asked to contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263. 

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