The ride-hailing platform Lyft is offering half-off coupons for rides within Rogers Park, responding to neighborhood concerns about two recent killings police believe were carried out by the same person.
Ald. Joe Moore announced the program Wednesday, after several local business owners say they came up with the idea.
Lyft will provide discount cards good for half off two rides within the Rogers Park Community, Moore said. The coupons can be picked up at his office, at 7356 N. Greenview Ave.. Or they can be mailed to residents, he said.
“Even if you don’t avail yourself of Lyft’s offer, I do hope you support our local businesses this month,” Moore said in a statement. “Call a friend or neighbor and go out shopping or dining together in Rogers Park.”
The recent homicides, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, have caused concern among neighborhood residents, who packed a police meeting last week. Erik Archambeault, owner of Rogers Park Social (6920 N. Glenwood Ave.), said neighborhood businesses have been hurt. Mostly, though, he said he and some other local business owners were looking for a way to help neighbors feel safer.
“It wasn’t [about] the decline in business,” he said. “We were all afraid to walk to work.” Archambeault said.
Archambeault said the business owners originally talked to Uber. And Moore said that company may still offer a similar coupon.
“Lyft, to their credit stepped up to the plate and agreed to help. Uber, the other major ride share company, has agreed to consider it, but is still working out some technical glitches,” Moore said in his statement.
