Sheriff’s boot camp teams up with Land Bank

Photo courtesy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office

Young men in neon yellow jumpsuits and construction hats sawed down wooden remains of a derelict two-story home in Chicago’s south suburb of Phoenix, the black letters “DOC” stamped across their backs.

“We’re using saws, cutting, dismantling, hammering nails,” said worker Dion Jones, 29, of a typical day’s work on the demolition project, which started in February and was scheduled to wrap up last week.

“It’s time-consuming and it helps the time fly by,” he added. “Instead of being inside the building all day, you get some fresh air.”

The building Jones referred to is a Cook County detention facility at 3206 S. California Ave…Please click here to read Tara Kadioglu’s story in the Tribune/Daily Southtown.