Art Used to Help Deter Crime on Howard Street

CHICAGO, IL - There’s been quite a bit of crime on both the Chicago and Evanston sides of Howard Street over the past few months, but there’s also been an effort to curb the violence through a larger police presence...and art.

According to ABC-7-Chicago, a husband-and-wife artist duo has a commission through the Rogers Park Business Alliance to help beautify Howard Street.

“They see color on the walls and they see inspiring messages and hopeful imagery that helps bring them together in seeing new things,” artist Lea Pinsky said.

One mural has already been completed on the Chicago side of the border near Howard Street and Hoyne Avenue, which has long been a problem regarding gang and drug activity.

But major crime has not been deterred. Just a month ago, a drive-by shooting near Howard and Ridge Ave. injured three and a week later a man was shot while walking home from a grocery store on Birchwood Avenue, one block south of Howard Street in Rogers Park.

more via ABC-7-Chicago