I was up on my computer, finishing something before I went to bed, when this car comes speeding down the block like a bat out of hell. I had some music on turned up a bit loud, so I didn't think anything of it. But then my mom started shouting that there was something going on because two cars had just came down the block ramming each other like crazy. I of course jumped up and ran to the window to see what was happening. I didn't see anything at that moment, but then heard a bunch of sirens coming this way. Squads and firetrucks combined. So then I looked out my other window and saw no less than 3 squad cars speeding down my block, then saw two firetrucks. I figured something serious had happened, and I was right. I turned on my scanner to hear about a white van on fire at George and Ridgeway. Apparently, whoever was in the other car, which turned out to be a sliver Nissan, set the van on fire. Obviously, CFD was on scene within seconds, as well as CPD. They responded to the corner of George and Ridgeway fast and furiously. But here's the thing. The van LEFT THE SCENE, STILL ON FIRE (presumably). Officers and firefighters could not find a burning van.
I had my friend ProdigalOne pull the 911 tapes (the dispatcher and officers talking) from this activity, and she noted that there was a call of "Shots Fired" on the block, with two to three gunshots. Several cars were reported to have been ramming each other. There were also multiple calls for a gang disturbance on the block, and at George and Ridgeway. Also, officers were calling for a stop of a vehicle with a plate of 4925368 going southbound from Belden on Springfield, likely from the Ridgeway incident.
I am absolutely outraged, and upset. I have no words to describe how I feel. It has happened. AGAIN. Can someone tell me WHY the 2800 block of Ridgeway is being targeted here?!? For God's sake. It's ALWAYS this block something like this happens on. This is why the residents of Ridgeway need to unite, NOW. We HAVE to fight this! We cannot let the thugs gain control of this block. There are too many people's lives who depend on it. We have a lot of babies and small children who live on this block, for crying out loud! They don't need this! Well, what are we going to do?? NOT just complain about it, I sincerely hope. I repeat, we need to do something RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW, before summer comes. And before a MURDER takes place on the block, because that is what will happen if we don't get vocal.
Any comments, questions, or insights? Leave them here, on the Facebook page or in my inbox.
Update: This is an e-mail I received from a faithful reader who lives in the same area: "My car was parked on the corner of Ridgeway and George. At 3am I heard a loud BANG. I knew it was my car. I woke up and ran outside and saw a white van had rammed my car so hard that his car had caught fire. They then exited the van and ran down george. They left the van. It looked like a small blue car was behind them. I thought I saw that they had guns, but was unsure. They (4 ppl) were all wearing white t-shirts. I of course was on the phone to 911 and reported the incident. Then, 911 took about 4-5 minutes to send squads. By this time, the criminals came back in that blue car, got back in the van (that was on fire) and continued to speed down George. About 1 minute later the police came and I told them they had left just a minute ago. They did not pursue them...My car is totaled and I have to pay a lot of money now to repair/buy a new car. I am also moving on Thursday and now have no car. To say I'm upset is an understatement,".
