Chicago et la violence

[FrAgZ]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/17/us/illinois-chicago-weekend-violence/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

 

On a nos problèmes à Montréal mais outch c'est pas rose cette nouvelle pour Chicago ! C'est pourtant une ville très importante des USA !

[denpanosekai]

yeah I'm visiting this September, not gonna let stuff like this stop me from going... but my planning will be a little different from Tokyo, let's just say.

[MtlMan]

Vous voyez, ce genre de nouvelles est bien plus dommageable que le printemps érable de l'an dernier. Pourquoi? Pcq ça dit qu'à Chicago c'est un phénomène familier et récurrent. La violence est endémique. Les manifs de l'an dernier faisaient partie d'un phénomène temporaire lié à une situation politique temporaire. Ceux qui disaient que ça allait détruire l'économie et le tourisme montréalais ont eu passablement tort. Les stats de tourisme de 2012 démontrent que l'impact a été relativement mineur. Et de toutes façons, je me rappelle de certains commentaires dans quelques médias internationaux où des comparaisons étaient faites avec Seattle en 2000 ou San Francisco dans les années de troubles des années 60: villes jeunes et dynamiques, ce qui entend aussi brassage d'idées et revendications parfois bruyantes.

 

Au vu de ce que je lis sur Chicago, je préfère ces comparaisons.

[Gotti]

yeah I'm visiting this September, not gonna let stuff like this stop me from going... but my planning will be a little different from Tokyo, let's just say.

 

I was actually just there 2 weekends ago. I felt quite safe. I really enjoyed the city and would love to go back. Amazing architecture, great food and really nice people.

 

Chicago is a massive city, with a metro population of close to 10 million. Just like most big cities, there are certain areas that are dangerous and certain that are safe. As long as you stay in The Loop (downtown) and North Side areas, you should be more than fine. If you really want to play it safe - take a taxi instead of walking or public transit. Personally, I used the CTA trains and walked all over.

 

I think most people understand how to travel in large, "dangerous" cities. In fact, the supposed danger doesn't seem to have hurt tourism, as records were just broken for April visits (http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9100043). If I were to visit Rio de Janeiro, for example, I wouldn't head to the favelas for a drink. Nor would I wear an expensive watch and try to stand out as a tourist. But the "danger" of Rio, the kidnappings, the murders, etc. wouldn't stop me from going. In fact, if anyone has World Cup tickets they want to sell please let me know!

 

Bottom line - people are smarter than we give them credit for. They are not easily scared off by sensationalized news stories, be it the murder rate in Chicago or the grève étudiante de l'an passé. They make up their own minds after doing their research. "Bad" news doesn't help tourism, but it certainly doesn't send it off the cliff either.

[denpanosekai]

Hey Gotti, while we're at it, can you recommend the top 3 - 5 places I should visit or things to do (for an architecture lover?)

[cedmeunier]

Je reviens à peine de Chicago aussi, j'y ai passé les 4 derniers jours. J'ai pu visiter à pied plusieurs quartiers centraux autours du Loop (South Loop, Little Italy, Greek Town, Lincoln Park et le Loop) et cette ville est sans contredit très sûre et il faut le dire, j'ai jamais vu une ville aussi propre! Je n'ai aucunement eu le sentiment d'être menacé durant mon séjour. Quelle ville!

[Gotti]

Hey Gotti, while we're at it, can you recommend the top 3 - 5 places I should visit or things to do (for an architecture lover?)

 

Hey denpanosekai,

 

Feel free to send me a private message but my top list of things to do would be:

1. Take an architecture boat tour. It's the best way to see the city from ground level and the docent (guide) is very knowledgeable. I took the one for them Chicago Architectural Foundation but there many tour providers. A very nice 90 minute tour. They also have various walking tours that I didn't take. You can head to their central shop on Michigan Avenue (right across the street from Cloud Gate) and get all the info you need. http://www.architecture.org/tours/boat-tours

2. Cloud Gate Park (aka "The Bean"). Try and get their early to avoid the crowds. The skyline reflection on the curvature of the mirrors is really striking. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate

3. Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley. Even if you're not a baseball fan - I haven't been since before the Expos left - it's worth it. Wrigley is the 2nd oldest ballpark in the MLB, right behind Fenway. For a really different experience, get a ticket for Wrigleyville - the bleacher seats on the buildings right behind Wrigley.

4. Eat at The Purple Pig. What an amazing restaurant! Either go at off times or be prepared to wait a while. They don't take reservations but man is it worth it! My suggestion is to give your name, then go shopping on Michigan Avenue and they will call you when your table is ready. We actually sat at the bar for 35 minutes or so and despite being told its a 2 hour wait we were seated within 40.

5. I ran out of time, but you should check out the views from the top of the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) or the John Hancock building. Different views in different parts of town but I've been told they are worth it!

 

Enjoy!

[jesseps]

Vice did a piece on the violence in Chicago. As long as you don't go into certain neighbourhoods you will be fine.

[acpnc]

C'est comme ça malheureusement dans la majorité des grandes villes américaines, même les plus populaires comme San-Francisco notamment. On pourrait même faire aisément la carte de la criminalité, en identifiant les quartiers défavorisés où la violence fait partie du quotidien. Donc, à moins d'exceptions, les centre-villes sont assez sûrs, de même que les zones touristiques, mais il faut cependant toujours demeurer vigilants et ne pas s'exposer inutilement.