Alderman Matt O'Shea: Funeral Procession Antics Dishonor the Living, Dead

 

CHICAGO, IL - Residents and officials in one southwest side ward say there needs to be more accountability -- be it from City Hall or from cemetery operators themselves -- to control the antics of those involved in funeral processions that they say dishonor both the living and the dead.

The Beverly and Morgan Park neighborhoods are filled with quintessential Chicago-style homes and well-manicured yards. But in the last several years more and more often residents say their neighborhoods have been put at risk.

"My residents are sick and tired of this. And I’m sick and tired of it," said Ald. Matt O'Shea (19th).

A video posted on YouTube of a funeral procession in March shows cars weaving in and out of traffic, young people hanging of our cars, and gangs signs flashed. The procession, according to residents and the alderman, was headed to Mt. Hope Cemetery.

"They are so irate, so blatant, so aggressive and intimidating," said longtime resident Kathleen Walsh Mulchay.

The instances are aplenty, according to O'Shea:

• On May 18 at 115th and Washtenaw, cars left a funeral traveling, "70 to 80 miles an hour, zigzagging through the streets." A loaded gun was tossed out the window, he said.
• On Aug 4 at 115th and Western: "Occupants in the procession got out and began scuffling with the police," the alderman explained.
• And on Sept. 14th at 115th and Fairfield: "We had a surge of vehicles leaving the funeral procession, racing at 70 miles an hour down this residential street," said O'Shea. Police pursued and multiple arrests were made and a gun was found in the car. The next day about 200 fed up residents marched in protest.

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