BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
February 7th, 2008
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 7:00 pm at the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California.
Officers Present: PO Crawford, PO Millan, SGT Oseguera (new community policing sergeant), PO Trempe, PO Komo, SGT Giambrone
Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 9
Go directly to the following sections:
General Announcements
CLEARMap
Court Advocacy
Beat 1431 Section Reports
General Announcements
SGT Giambrone reported that our Beat is still being plagued by robberies. He is requesting residents to remain vigilant and call 911 to report any suspicious people seen in backyards or walking along the streets with television sets. PO Trempe reported that there are 3 people largely responsible for the thefts, including a black male and a heavy set white female.
1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores was in attendance to provide an update on the event parking contract between the Congress Theater and Chase Elementary School. Ald. Flores requested that the principal or a representative of Chase Elementary be present at this evening's CAPS meeting to discuss the issue further, however, no one from the school was in attendance. Ald. Flores is prepared to terminate the parking contract. During a previous conversation with the school principal regarding the termination of the contract, Ald. Flores reported that her position is that the school needs the $5000 the contract provides in order to pay for additional school programs. Ald. Flores mentioned that he does not have a problem with the principal trying to generate additional revenue for school programs. Ald. Flores, however, does have a problem with the disrespect and irresponsible use of the school parking lot during the Congress events.
Beat facilitator, Jim Rhodes, mentioned that he is under the impression only a few residents in the section have been actively complaining about the parking problems. Ald. Flores claimed that was not the case and asked section members at the meeting what their experience has been. These members reported claims of public urination, littering, noise, illegal parking and cars driving on the sidewalk around the school during events. Jim Rhodes mentioned that this behavior (aside from driving on sidewalks) has plagued other beat sections such as 2 and 4 and that this is not the fault of Chase Elementary but of Congress Theater patrons.
Ald. Flores asked Jim Rhodes to call the principal, or a representative of Chase Elementary School to be present at the next CAPS meeting to hear the parking complaints in person. Ald. Flores feels that the school should show representation to residents and listen to their concerns to indicate that they do care about the neighborhood. They can also use the opportunity to share with the residents what the school has been able to do with the additional parking funds.
Ald. Flores contends that both Congress Theater and Chase Elementary School are equally responsible for the parking practices at the school during events. A representative from the Congress Theater should also be present at every CAPS meeting.
March 18th, Gang Awareness Presentation
The 14th District invites you to attend a gang awareness presentation, sponsored by the 10 sector beats. The presentation will increase residents' gang awareness of the following:
- Present day characteristics
- Membership identifiers
- Prevention techniques
- Physical identifiers
Date: March 18th, 2008
Location: 3000 N. Kedzie (St. Nicolai Church)
Time: 6:30pm
Domestic Violence Help Line
Domestic Violence Help Line:
1-877-TO END DV
1-877-863-6338
1-877-863-6339(TTY)
Toll free and confidential 24 hrs a day
For more information or assistance, contact the 14th District's domestic violence police officers:
PO Kramer and PO Riordan
2150 N. California
312-744-8290
City Wide Community Alert: Portable GPS Systems Stolen from Parked Cars
The Chicago Police Department is investigating a series of crimes where thieves break into parked cars and steal portable GPS navigation systems. GPS systems that hang from the windshield or sit on the dashboard of your car become a high profile target for smash and grab thieves. Thieves look for systems that are in plain view and can be removed quickly.
What you can do:
- Do not leave any valuable items visible in your vehicle
- Remove the GPS from your car when not in use or lock it in the trunk
- Thieves will look inside of parked cars looking for GPS Units, accessories cradles, even suction cup marks on the windshield
- Leave no trace that you have a GPS Unit
- Be aware of your surroundings when you park you car
- Avoid parking in isolated areas
If you have any additional information regarding these incidents, contact Area #3 RBT at 312-744-8263
Community Alert: Theft by Deception
Chicago Police are looking for unknown offenders who have been targeting Hispanic residents in Area 5 with a lottery ticket con game. The offenders use the pretext of needing assistance in cashing a winning lottery ticket because they have no identification or documentation to prove they are legal residents. The offenders convince the victims to withdraw a large sum of money in exchange for the winning lottery ticket and then drive the victims to the bank to make the withdrawal.
What you can do:
- Be suspicious of strangers who ask you for help which requires you to withdraw or cash an unusually large amount of money.
- Be suspicious of any offer to give you a large sum of money for little effort on your part.
- Never hand over any money to strangers.
If you have any information regarding these incidents contact the Area Five Detectives at (312)746-8632
Snow Removal Help
Beat resident, Anne Scheetz, distributed flyers articulating the importance of snow and ice removal on city sidewalks. The flyer includes an excerpt from the Municipal Code of Chicago as of December 2007 regarding snow removal: "Snow removal is the responsibility of 'every owner, lessee, tenant, occupant or other person having charge of any building or lot of ground' that abuts on a public way; the sidewalk has to be cleared for a width of 5 feet; if the snow is frozen so it can't be removed, ashes or sand or the like should be used until the snow can be cleared; snow that falls before 4pm should be removed within 3 hours; snow that falls on Sunday or after 4pm should be removed by 10am. People are not liable for civil damages for their acts of snow removal except in the case of 'willful or wanton misconduct;' that is, removing snow doesn't increase your chances of being sued."
The flyer also mentions a number of different ways of handling snow removal, including getting help from the following individuals:
Alderman Manny Flores' office: 773-278-0101
Alderman Rey Colon's office: 773-365-3535
Beat 1431 civilian beat facilitator: Jim Rhodes 773-486-6276 or jrrhodes60@hotmail.com
Section 1: Joe Kopera, 773-772-4892
Section 2: Carolyn Lawrence
Section 3 + 4: Jim Rhodes and Anne Scheetz, 773-486-6276
Section 5 + 6: Sally Hammann 773-276-2891
If you would like a copy of the complete snow removal information flyer, please contact Anne Scheetz, 773-486-6276 or ascheetz@hotmail.com
CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From January 1st - 31st, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 74 crimes, an increase of 7 from last month (67):
- 2 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 10 BURGLARY *
- 3 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 1 FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
- 5 FRAUD
- 26 LARCENY THEFT *
- 1 LIQUOR LAWS
- 5 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 4 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 4 ROBBERY
- 2 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 8 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 8 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.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 6pm.
Court Advocacy Report
There was no report for this period.
Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) Graffiti has been a major problem over the last month. Every other building on Milwaukee avenue in this section appears to be hit with graffiti including the alleys.
A resident reported that he heard a city streets and sanitation representative claim that our beat was down by 36% compared to January last year for graffiti. This is not the case, the problem stems from not having as many calls for the removal.
2) SGT Giambrone reported 2 graffiti arrests on the 2100 block of Milwaukee on the alley side, Zachary McGraw and Ryan Lucas, white males in their 20s, not gang related.
3) The car firebombing incident from last month remains under investigation, but at this time there is no further information.
4) Known Cobra gang members, Barretto and Carmello, were arrested just west of the 14th District for impersonating police using a two toned car that looked like a squad car. They will be going back to prison.
5) There was a cocaine possession arrest on the 2000 block of Bingham. Cocaine possession of any kind is a felony.
6) Ald. Flores asked SGT Giambrone for a rough estimate on the number of criminals in this section, particularly Stave and Bingham. SGT Giambrone estimated there are about 100 criminals. SGT Giambrone mentioned that the YLO (Young Latino Organization) Cobras are largely responsible for the crime in this section. The Kings used to be on Chanay and Point and Francis and Stave but these areas are now being taken over by the Cobras.
7) There was a possession of hallucinogens arrest on Milwaukee near the Congress Theater the evening of an all ages STS9. Galen Strole was arrested for manufacturing, and delivery of LSD. He is a resident of the suburbs. PO Trempe also reported that one concertgoer was found collapsed under the influence of LSD. Apparently, the victim had a sheet of acid pressed against his lower back in his underwear and it became soaked with snow outside the venue, causing a transdermal high. His mother drove in from Barrington to pick him up from the station.
8) There was a possession, manufacture and delivery search warrant arrest of cocaine on the 2100 block of Stave within 1000 feet of the school. The arrested criminal also turned out to be a felon, violating parole.
9) Possession of cocaine arrest in front of Walgreens on Milwaukee
10) Dimitrius Rice, male, black was arrested along with Johnny Durkis both with possession of cocaine.
11) A juvenile was arrested for possession of alcohol on the 2100 block of Point.
action: Residents should continue to call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section.
SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) Ald. Flores reported that 5 males were reportedly loitering and smoking marijuana in a car in the alley behind the 1st Ward office at 2058 North Western Ave. The police were called.
Ald. Flores also mentioned that there should not be parking along the rail by the office, adjacent to the senior housing.
PO Trempe reported that the Martinez brothers, known Spanish Lord gang members, who live on McLean have been seen hanging around his house and in the alley behind the Alderman's office.
SECTION 3 (Borders: Rockwell, Fullerton, Western, Lyndale)
1) Resident reported that sidewalks are not being shoveled in this area.
SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) During the evening Sunday, 1/27, between 8:45pm - 9pm, 7-12 Latin Lover gang members were reported loitering between Medill and Belden along Talman avenue at Goethe Elementary School. Several residents called 911 and there was a quick response by police, sending 2 cars that were able to disperse the gang on the school grounds.
PO Trempe mentioned that generally Sunday nights are gang meeting nights, gang members drink, pay their dues, discuss what will be happening during the week, loiter and there's often a good chance they are carrying weapons.
2) Ald. Flores mentioned that his office is contacted every year to determine if there are any hotspots based upon calls to the office. Ald. Flores suggested that Goethe Elementary School be considered a gang hotspot. PO Trempe, SGT Giambrone and Ald. Flores suggested taking the police camera at Stave and Francis in Section 1 and move it to the school.
3) Gang loitering has been reported at Belden and Washtenaw.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report any gang or suspicious activity and 311 for graffiti
SECTION 5 (Borders: California, Logan Boulevard, Rockwell, Fullerton)
1) No criminal activity was reported
SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) Infamous transient nuisance Darrel Chambers was arrested for domestic battery and is locked up.
2) The Alderman's office checked on the vacant Bolzano's Pizzeria and reported that the building was properly locked and boarded up.
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.
