AS BARACK OBAMA OFFICIALLY BECOMES DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, Security Around Obama's South Side Chicago Home Tightens!
NEIGHBORS UNDERSTAND, BUT SOME COMPLAIN ABOUT INCONVENIENCE ADDITIONAL SECURITY CREATES!
If you were to drive down the 5000 Block of South Greenwood Avenue, off Hyde Park Boulevard, in the Kenwood Neighborhood of Chicago, you'll see a beautiful 1898-vintage Colonial style red brick home, with a smaller coach home next door. But you'll have to look from a distance - and you could be shooed away if you linger too long!
This is Barack and Michelle Obama's restored home! (Photo courtesy of Mark2400 Photo Stream, Flickr.com).
This April, 2007 photo shows little external security. As you might imagine, security around the historic home has been considerably beefed up recently, now that Mr. Obama is the official Democratic Nominee for President.
The Obama family house is large - nearly 6,200 square feet, and sits on a quarter-acre lot - which is pretty big for a parcel of land in the City of Chicago. Obama purchased the home back in June, 2005, for over $1.6 Million.
As security has increased near the home, less-affluent neighbors in this diverse Kenwood Neighborhood have had to navigate around the increased security. Last week, additional concrete barriers and parking restrictions were put in place near the home. A wrought-iron fence already circles the home, but this has been augmented by additional steel barriers earlier this week.
Police in Chicago have declined to comment on the new security added, referring any questions to the Secret Service. As you would imagine, these folks have been tight-lipped as well! "Any visible changes in security will be coordinated with the Chicago Police Department and other city officials. We will make every effort to ensure that any adjustments in security affecting area residents will be as unobtrusive as possible."
Still, neighbors have had to make adjustments. Many neighborhood residents now have to park their cars several blocks away, and their visiting families and friends have difficulty finding nearby parking spaces when they stop by.
Said Tamieka Smith, an Obama supporter who lives nearby, "My mother had to park four blocks away yesterday when she came to my house. It's an inconvenience, but he needs the extra protection. Imagine how it will be if he wins."
Yes . . . imagine!
See Deanese Williams-Harris and Steve Schmadeke's article in yesterday's Chicago Tribune for more details.
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