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The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council held a marathon of public meetings during March to take on violence around public schools and other "hot spot areas" in this increasingly crime-ridden Chicago neighborhood.

300 area residents attended each of the meetings to demand that the local police commander, the city alderman and CEO of Chicago Public Schools, Arnie Duncan, work with BPNC to clean up different parts of the Brighton Park neighborhood.

Parents demanded that the police dramatically increase foot patrols around public schools and liquor stores due to a recent skyrocketing of violence around those areas. Parents and area residents were furious that the police have not increased their presence around the public schools, especially since a recent spate of child abduction occurrences around the schools.

"Many parents fear that their child could be the next victim. I'm scared for the safety of my children. I don't even feel safe walking my kids two blocks to school," said Brighton Park member Sandra Ortiz.

Crime around liquor establishments have also recently increased dramatically. The Chicago Police Department plots crime throughout the city of Chicago every week and crime in Brighton Park is concentrated around the liquor stores and bars.

"When it's so clear where the crime is taking place, why don't we see any police in these areas?" asked resident Dolores Gonzalez.

In response to the pressure from local residents, Deputy Police Chief Wayne Milla and 9th District Police Commander John Killackey committed to increasing foot patrol around the schools and liquor establishments to reduce the presence and activities of gangs.

Milla also ensured that all community alerts would be translated into Spanish after he learned that 80 percent of the Brighton Park residents are Latino and the community alerts regarding the recent attempted child abductions were not translated into Spanish.

Parents were not only concerned of the violent activities around the schools, but the lack of resources and safety in the schools.

They demanded that Duncan, the new CEO of Chicago Public Schools, increase funding for after-school programs, ensure all schools receive their required state allocated support staff and make all the necessary facility improvements to insure the safety of the students.

Duncan agreed to all the demands.

BPNC members also won commitments to improve city services including new sidewalks, graffiti removal, increased garbage pickup and tree trimming from their local alderman.