What to do about groups of people loitering around my building?

[Danny Maller]

I'm a month into house hacking my 3 unit and I can't get people to rent because of the crowd of random people hanging out on the side walk between my place and the liquor store just north of me. I never saw anyone outside during the several visits to the place when I was looking at the building and now they're here all the time. This is in Humboldt Park, Chicago, Illinois.

If it's legwork talking with my alderman or going to townhall meetings, I'm ready and willing. I'm curious if anyone has any creative methods like spraying something stinky on the sidewalk when they're not there, or if anyone has had luck installing cameras. They like to hang out in the alley way along the north side of the building as well where I can easily see them. None of them live around here but congregate to smoke cigarettes and look around with one another. Some are drinking which I call the cops immediately for but it doesn't seem very effective. Any ideas?