Report: City knew of squalid, unsafe conditions at South Shore apartments before immigration raid – CWB Chicago

Recent reports indicate that city officials were likely aware of the hazardous living situations in a South Shore apartment complex long before the federal immigration agents conducted a raid last week.

According to CWBChicago, social media recordings released approximately three weeks prior to the raid depicted severe flooding on multiple floors, doors ripped from their hinges, squatters inhabiting vacant units, and tenants using extension cords to connect to power sources.

Furthermore, The Real Deal has revealed that city building inspectors visited the site located at 7500 South South Shore Drive just two weeks before the raid, highlighting an awareness of the unsafe and unsanitary living conditions impacting residents, including children, amidst a backdrop of criminal activity.

Wells Fargo, the building’s lender, has been pressuring the property owner to “re-establish control” over the complex. A recent legal filing from the bank noted that “the building is unsecured, permitting non-tenants to freely enter.” The situation has led to increased crime rates and shootings at the location, which is situated directly across from an elementary school.

In the legal document, it was stated, “The City has received numerous reports from a tenants’ rights organization and the Alderman’s office indicating that the conditions at the property have deteriorated further.” Alderman Gregory Mitchell (7th) represents the area.

Additionally, CWBChicago reported that despite some media claims suggesting agents caused significant damage during the raid, prior social media posts from September illustrate the dire conditions of the property.

Videos shared by Wayne Head, who claims to have previously worked as a maintenance staff member for the building, showcased shattered doors, removed deadbolts, and security cameras obscured by spray paint to conceal illicit activities. The laundry area was in disarray, with water accumulating across several floors. Numerous apartments were found unsecured or boarded up with plywood where locks had been forcefully destroyed.

Head mentioned that many residents were Venezuelan squatters who had taken over vacant units by fitting their locks on the doors. His recordings revealed residents extending power cords from neighboring apartments or connecting to illuminated exit signs for electricity.

While recent narratives depict the raid as a decisive intervention, Head’s footage reveals that the building had already been succumbing to inhabitable conditions. In early September, while navigating through filthy water, he commented, “Believe me, it has been like this for about three months.”

His recordings validate that dangerous flooding, trash-laden apartments, insecure units, and hazardous improvised wiring were prevalent long before the arrival of federal agents.

“This portrayal of the building as a spacious, diverse community is utterly absurd,” expressed one individual familiar with the property.

Just two days following Head’s third video post, prosecutors charged a Venezuelan migrant with the murder of another migrant within an apartment in the building, alleging that the accused boasted about burying the victim’s body in concrete at a construction site.

Tim Hecke is CWBChicago’s managing partner. He began his journalism career at KMOX, the renowned news radio station in St. Louis. He subsequently worked at stations in Minneapolis, Chicago, and New York City. He later developed syndicated radio news and content services reaching every one of America’s 100 largest radio markets and became the managing partner of CWBChicago in 2019.
His email address is tim@cwbchicago.com