In Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, community activists are stepping up to tackle gun violence after feeling let down by the city’s lack of support. The group Mothers & Men Against Senseless Killing (MASK), led by founder Tamar Manasseh, has taken matters into their own hands by installing surveillance cameras around their facility.
The decision to install the cameras came after a shooting occurred just half a block away from MASK’s location last month. Manasseh has voiced frustration with city officials, noting that her requests for increased safety measures have been ignored. “Do you know how many times there have been shootings and murders on 74th and 75th and Stewart under the police cameras, and then they say the cameras weren’t working?” she asked. “So if your cameras aren’t working, my cameras will be working. It’s an extra layer of protection for the community.”
MASK, based at 75th and Stewart, has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly a decade. The facility offers a safe space for children to play and provides free meals. It operates every day of the week and holds community giveaways every other Saturday. The majority of its funding comes from public donations.
In addition to setting up surveillance cameras, Manasseh has also sought to improve safety on her block by advocating for a speed bump. When the city failed to install one, she raised $1,100 to buy cameras and illuminated signs to alert drivers to the presence of children. The total cost for the installation of these safety measures was $5,000.
Manasseh hopes that the new cameras will help deter criminal activity and provide valuable evidence if any incidents occur. To avoid the risk of the cameras being targeted or vandalized, their locations have not been disclosed.
Efforts to reach Alderman Will Hall of the 6th Ward for comments on the city’s lack of response regarding the speed bumps have been unsuccessful.
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The actions taken by MASK highlight the growing frustration within communities facing rising violence and the desire for local solutions when city support falls short.
