Block 7: “Be Careful, Baby”
Block 7: “Be careful, Baby”
It used to be that when I’d leave the barbershop in Chatham, people would say, “Be safe!” These days, nobody says “be safe” anymore. That phrase feels outdated. Now, the caution has been elevated to, “Be careful.”
I didn’t think much about it at the time, but that word be is doing a lot of work. Most people don’t think of it as an action verb. Be is supposed to be effortless. You don’t wake up and say, “Okay, I’m going to go outside today and just be.” But nowadays, in Chicago, even the act of simply being feels like something we can’t take for granted—not when something as routine as pumping gas at night can feel like a gamble with your life.
I’ve spoken before about the importance of block clubs in fostering safety, and today’s block is a shining example. A University of Chicago Crime Lab study found that tighter community connections often lead to less violence, and the block at 75th and King is proof of that. Since joining our One Block at a Time program, this block has seen a marked reduction in gun violence. Tonya Hooks, the Block Club Captain, is a superhero in these parts.
Tonya was the very first person we partnered with for our Be A Part of the Light campaign.
Each year, we hang holiday lights on 500 homes along King Drive at no cost to the homeowners. It’s our way of interrupting the daily trauma people face and inspiring hope in the community. It’s a massive undertaking, but it all started with just one home. Tonya was thrilled when we decided to decorate her home, and she immediately shared the news with her neighbors on the Nextdoor app. Thanks to her excitement and initiative, we now light up homes across the entire community.
Tonya understands the power of communication and will talk to anyone willing to listen. On our walk, we met one of her neighbors, Lisa, who has lived on 75th and King for 62 years. Lisa described the block as quiet and peaceful, with elderly neighbors who look out for one another. She explained that while their block feels safe, “Chicago is block-by-block,” meaning one block can be well-organized and secure, while the next is overrun with drugs and crime.
As we left Lisa’s porch, she gave me a warm farewell: “Be careful, baby.”
Unlike some block club leaders who hold monthly meetings, Tonya takes a different approach. She’s built a text message tree and stays in touch with neighbors as often as necessary. I admire this strategy because every community is different, and not everyone has the same needs. Scheduled meetings might make sense for an Alderman, but if your block requires more frequent communication, nothing should hold you back. Tonya explained, “Whenever anything notable happens, I let [the neighbors] know.”
Still, Tonya is concerned about the future of the block club. “It’s getting harder to create camaraderie,” she said, admitting that the lack of participation can be frustrating. “Who’s going to carry the torch when I get tired?” It’s a fair question, even from someone as dedicated as Tonya. No one can do it forever.
Despite her concerns, there’s hope for the next generation. One block club member mentioned seeing new families moving into the neighborhood, which is refreshing. It’s nice to see children growing up on 75th and King. Tonya has also noticed new neighbors joining the block. While some people in the city refer to them as “migrants,” Tonya calls her Venezuelan neighbors “new arrivals.”
Tonya organizes a jazz festival on the block every summer, and this year, she incorporated Hispanic music into the lineup. She wants to make sure the new arrivals feel welcome.