India Post News Bureau

CHICAGO: Commander Steve Caluris of the 24th District was all for helping the Devon area businessmen and residents in redressing their grievances and addressing their problems and concerns about inadequate parking facility, mugging, robbery, petty crimes and prostitution..

"I will work with you and will address issues of concern to businesses and residents to improve the conditions," was the answer to a myriad of questions posed by business persons, representatives of social service organizations, media and professionals, who gathered at the Mysore Woodland Restaurant last week to present and deliberate with the Commander the conditions prevailing in the area..

The meeting was organized by the South Asian Business Owners of Devon Avenue in conjunction with West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.The meeting began with the welcome of the audience by Amie Zander, Executive Director of the WRCC and brief address by Vimal Prajapati, President, WRCC. Amrish Mahajan, Mutual Bank, Rohit Maniar of Republic Bank and Irv Laundy, Suzan Patel, some business owners addressed the meeting pin-pointing some of the critical issues that are dwindling the retail and restaurant businesses on Devon Avenue.

The businessmen urged the Commander to discuss with the Alderman Bernie Stone and also with the city of Chicago to enable the customers to park at least during the hours of 11 and 3:30 pm on the side-streets at residential areas, so that parking problem could be slightly alleviated.

The demand for police patrol in some form was requested to keep the petty thieves, muggers and possibly prostitutes away from the streets.Instances of police harassment were also brought to the attention of the Commander. He heard the details patiently and promised that in future proper care and attention would be paid to treat the citizenscourteously understanding the situation and their cultural nuances.