The Logan Square neighborhood on Chicago’s Northwest Side is jumpy after four murders that officials are blaming on gangs. The police department says it’s on the case. But a group that intervenes with gang members says it no longer has what it takes to stem such violence.
 
One man already faces charges stemming from a triple homicide in a Logan Square apartment on New Year’s Day. On Tuesday police issued arrest warrants for two others.

On Monday night, meanwhile, a drive-by shooting in the neighborhood killed a 15-year-old. For that crime, authorities have no one in custody.

STARKS: There is a gang situation that is going on in Logan Square.

Interim Police Superintendent Dana Starks spoke Tuesday.

STARKS: We are on it. We have resources out there. And we will also be in the community trying to come up with solutions with the community, with the young folk, as to how we can improve that situation.

One neighborhood leader ties the recent violence to state of Illinois cutbacks to a gang-intervention program called CeaseFire.

CASSEL: Before the CeaseFire funding was cut, we did a lot of prevention work that is often not seen.

David Cassel directs the Alliance of Local Service Organizations, which houses a CeaseFire office near the murder scenes.

CASSEL: We would have eight outreach workers in Logan Square and Humboldt Park, working late at night, providing outreach to young people that were at high risk. If they heard that something had happened or that something was going to happen, they would be able to go in and intervene.

Now, Cassel says, his group has to rely on volunteers for gang outreach.

A bill before an Illinois House of Representatives committee would provide $12.5 million to CeaseFire efforts statewide. But its chances of breaking through a political logjam in Springfield are uncertain.