As a community, this should NOT be happening

They need to protect these young men and stop this foolishness.

From The Chicago Tribune:

West Side charter school students say they're harassed by gangs

By Dan Ponce WGN-TV

10:38 a.m. CDT, September 23, 2011
Students at the west campus of Urban Prep Academy say they’re being targeted, chased and harassed by gangbangers as they walk to and from school.

Leaders of the college preparatory school and parents of students met Thursday night to discuss what can be done about the ongoing problem.

The all-boys public school’s new location--one of three Urban Prep campuses--opened at 1326 W. 14th St. just weeks ago. But right after classes began, groups of young men in the surrounding neighborhood began harassing, fighting and robbing students at gunpoint.

Parents say an incident happens every day. They believe the men who are harassing the students live in a CHA housing complex a few blocks north of the school.

Parent Talmadge Adams said student have been robbed. "On Tuesday night they attacked a group of boys that were leaving football practice," she added.

Added Melissa Barnett, another parent: "Gangbangers chase them to the bus and don't let them get on."

Police patrols have been stepped up in the area, but students say they're still being chased.