BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
December 6th, 2007

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 3, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California.
The February 7, 2008 will also be held at the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California at 7:00 pm.

Officers Present: SGT Giambrone, PO Deb Augustyn (14th District CAPS Office), PO Crawford (days), PO Talpos (3rd watch), PO Redelsperger (3rd watch)

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 6

Go directly to the following sections:
General Announcements
CLEARMap
Court Advocacy
Beat 1431 Section Reports

General Announcements
SGT Giambrone reported that our Beat 1431 had the lowest overall crimes for the past year. Beat 1431 had 974 incidents compared to 1620 from the highest beat.
He also recommended that people do not warm up their cars leaving a key in the car. Thieves will break the window and steal the car. SGT Giambrone also reported that there is usually a spike in burglaries before Christmas. Be alert and call 911 if you see anything suspicious.

He also advised everyone in our Beat to watch out for two men posing as city workers. Part of their disguise includes vests and helmets that resemble the city issued versions. Do not let them in your house, call 911 instead. There have been burglaries in other Beats by these criminals. City workers do not usually need to enter your house.

CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From November 1st - 30th, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 106 crimes, an increase of 35 from last month (71):
- 1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT*
- 1 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 8 BURGLARY *
- 1 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
- 11 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 4 FRAUD
- 33 LARCENY THEFT *
- 1 LIQUOR LAWS
- 7 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 4 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 5 ROBBERY
- 5 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 16 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 9 VANDALISM

* indicates index crimes (most serious offenses)

Click here to view table of all reported crimes (new window)

Court Advocacy Volunteers Needed
PO Deb Augustyn is looking for volunteers who are available for a couple hours for one afternoon (usually starting at 1:30pm), one day a month to be Court Advocates. There are recent cases in other beats that need our help. Advocates in the neighborhoods in which the crimes were committed are afraid to appear in court fearing retribution from the criminals. Therefore, advocates are needed from other beats (including ours) to help make a strong court appearance against these criminals.

Court Advocacy Report
There were 3 individuals in court for cases in Beat 1431:
1) Mancilla, Dafniz pled guilty to Criminal Defacement (graffiti) on Nov 6 with 80 hours of community service. This case had been continued from last month and was followed by court advocates both times.
2) Brendon Scanlon pled guilty to Criminal Defacement (graffiti) on Nov 9 with 1 year court supervision and 100 hours of community service.

Court advocates from Beat 1431 also attended court for other beats on several occasions.

Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) 2117 Point continues for the second month to have major gang activity with numerous incidences of "YLO Cobras" gang graffiti covering the fences. Neighbors called graffiti busters and also talked to the Alderman and the graffiti was removed within a few days. According to minutes from last month, the property is under investigation under the city's Nuisance Abatement program. The owner has been contacted about the gang members who are renting the property and they are choosing to do nothing about them.
2) Good news, the police camera on Bingham was installed last month and seems to be working. Also, the camera on Francis is also still up and working.
3) Carlos Martinez was arrested on Nov 10 for cannabis Possession by the Gang/Tactical police in this sector and again on Dec 4 on the 2400 Block of Maplewood for burglary. His first court date is Dec 20 at Grand and Central at 1:30 PM. Neighbors are encouraged to come and be a court advocate on this case.
4) Two men were arrested with a grill they were rolling down the street. According to notes from last month, the property at 2074 Bingham is a known fence for stolen goods, particularly gas grills.
5) There was a second cannabis arrest on St. Helen Street this past month.
6) Javier Rosales was arrested for "Soliciting Business" and "Obstruction of Traffic", both gang activities, on Point Street this month. Eric Garcia was also arrested on the 2100 block of Point.
7) There were concerns expressed about potential gang activity at the corner store on Stave Street and Francis Place.
8) Jacqueline Betancourt, a gang member, was also arrested for a "woman on woman" battery case on Nov 2.
9) Parking problems continue at Chase School during Congress Theater events. Patrons continue drinking and littering on the street during the night. There were also arrests for DUI.
action: The gang activity at 2117 N. Point needs immediate attention. Residents should continue to call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section.

SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) The Congress Theater continues to be a nuisance in this section as well. There were two arrests there this month; one for battery and one for reckless conduct. A representative from the Congress Theater was asked to attend this meeting but no one came. They will be asked again.
action: Congress Theater continues to be a major nuisance requiring further attention from Alderman Flores' office and the police. The Congress Theater should also be providing an accountable representative to be present at the CAPS meeting to take responsibility for the theater. This is a second request.

SECTION 3 (Borders: Rockwell, Fullerton, Western, Lyndale)
1) There were reports of some graffiti but less than last month in this sector.
2) There were two strong arm robberies on the 2100 and 2200 of California this past month.

SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) This sector was quiet this month. No activity was reported at the meeting. This is great news.
action: Police need to focus on keeping Goethe safe from gang violence. Residents are urged to call 911 when witnessing any gang activity in the area.

SECTION 5 (Borders: California, Logan Boulevard, Rockwell, Fullerton)
1) Anthony Risera was arrested on the 2500 block of Talman for criminal defacement (graffiti) on Dec 4.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti

SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) There were robberies on the 2400 block of Maplewood and the 2300 block of Campbell.
2) Copper piping was stolen from the empty Belzano’s Pizza business this month.
3) There was an arrest on the 2500 block of Artesian for criminal trespass on Oct 30.
4) There was an arrest for Aggravated DUI on the 2400 block of Fullerton. This DUI charge is a felony since the driver had a revoked license.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti

Recurring Problem Areas for BEAT 1431
1) Gang activity, drug sales, vandalism and violence on Bingham, Stave and Francis Pl.
2) Gang graffiti
3) Gang loitering and recruiting
4) Gang weapons violence
DISCLAIMER
Beat 1431 CAPS volunteers prepared these meeting minutes to the best of their ability.