BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
July 3rd, 2008
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 7th, 2008 at 6:30pm starting with a positive loitering campaign at the corner of McLean and Campbell before proceeding to the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California for the rest of the Beat meeting.
Officers Present: PO Torres, SGT Giambrone
Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 11
Go directly to the following sections:
General Announcements
CLEARMap
Court Advocacy
Reported Shots Fired Beat Map
Beat 1431 Section Reports
General Announcements
To help deter robberies and encourage public safety, SGT Giambrone recommends walking in pairs and always carrying a cell phone and keep an eye on residents to make sure they are safe. Also, residents are encouraged to keep watchful eyes on alleys and making sure outside grills are locked.
SGT Giambrone reported that burglaries and thefts in our Beat were down over the past month. Alderman Flores reported that police bike patrols have made a big impact on deterring burglaries in the area.
SGT Giambrone announced our Beat was down in all crimes compared to last month except for non-index Simple Assault crimes where individuals verbally threaten one another.
GGNA Block Party, Saturday July 19th
GGNA will be co-hosting an annual block party on the 2200 block of Maplewood Saturday, July 19th. This is a great opportunity for neighborhood adults and children to get together as a community and have fun as well as address concerns in the neighborhood, particularly recent gang activity.
CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From June 1st - 30th, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 69 crimes, a decrease of 52 from last month (121):
- 3 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 1 ARSON *
- 4 BURGLARY *
- 3 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 3 FRAUD
- 21 LARCENY THEFT *
- 1 LIQUOR LAWS *
- 6 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 1 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 1 ROBBERY
- 1 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 9 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 14 VANDALISM
- 1 WEAPONS VIOLATION
* indicates index crimes (most serious offenses)
Click here to view table of all reported crimes (new window)
Court Advocacy Report
Branch 50 and Branch 23 at Grand and Central for the following cases in Beats 1422, 1423 and 1431.
1) Beat 1422 - Eligio Santoyo - UUW, Possession of a 18" Sword
This case was in Branch 23 outside of the 1431 Beat Court Advocacy list, but because of the nature of the case and the fact that it was up for a bench trial, our Court Advocates participated.
The suspect was found NOT GUILTY due to a technicality. The state attorney charged Santoyo under section 24.1.a.1. The judge, Kenneth Fletcher, found him Not Guilty because he should have been tried under section 24.1.a.2. The section he was tried under (Section 24.1.a.1) doesn't include a sword or the likes in the wording of the law, while Section 24.1.a.2 does. If he would have been charged under that section he would have been found guilty. Our Court Advocates believe Santoyo was taken into custody at 3401 W North Ave. with the sword under his jacket around the same time that the 2 gang bangers were killed on Potomic St. Advocates were discouraged by this ruling, but apparently the judge was just following the law.
2) Beat 1423 - Johnathan Hardy - Robbery and Darryl Robinson - Robbery / Battery at Branch 50
The victim was in court at 9:00 AM and both defendant's were being held with NO BOND. Therefore, the case had it's preliminary hearing in the morning. Probable Cause was found at this hearing and this case is now continued until 07/30/08 at 26th and California per info from the ASA.
3) Beat 1431 - Jim Hermiz - Criminal Damage to Property < 300 at Branch 23
This happened at the senior building at 2061 N Campbell. The management of the building failed to send a representative so this case was dismissed.
Reported Shots Fired Beat Map
Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) On June 6th, there was an aggravated UUW (unlawful use of a weapon) arrest made on an individual under the age of 21 on the 2100 block of Bingham.
2) On June 8th, there was a criminal tresspass arrest on the 2100 block of Stave.
3) On June 26th, there were 2 possession of cannabis arrests on the 2100 block of California.
4) On June 28th, there were 2 arrests made for drinking alcohol in the public way on the 2700 block of Francis.
5) On June 9th, there was an arrest made for drinking alcohol in the public way on the 2000 block of California.
6) On June 10th, there was an issuance of warrant arrest on the 2000 block of Point.
7) On June 22nd, there was a driving under the influence arrest on the 2800 block of Armitage.
8) On June 14th, there was a PCP possession arrest on the 2100 block of Milwaukee. This arrest was made possible by a security guard working at the Congress Theater noticing 2 small vials on one of the concert goers. The security guard flagged down a Beat officer and the arrest was made.
9) A resident asked whether the rear of the problem property at 2117 Point reported at last month's meeting was secured, and SGT Giambrone reported he believed it was based upon his last visit to the property.
10) Joniah Dirkins (known as the "artiste" for his graffiti) was arrested for assault, threatening an individual.
11) Alderman Flores met with the owner of 2108 Bingham (who currently does not live there any longer) based upon the chronic problems with gang activity at this property and she claimed that she didn't understand why her property was being targeted by the police. She claims there are no problems. Alderman Flores told her that she was not controlling the property effectively and if this activity continues it will get out of hand and she could lose her property. The property owner claimed that she was not aware of any arrests at the property and that her son who used to be a gang banger is no longer involved in gang activity. Alderman Flores was wondering if there was additional documentation that he could share with the property owner to demonstrate the number of problems her property has been a part of.
12) SGT Giambrone mentioned the increased presence of the Spanish Lords gang moving into the area and the violence that movement is instigating. SGT Giambrone also mentioned the importance of having eye witnesses come forward to report individuals committing crime to aid in making arrests.
13) Last week, there were shots fired on Stave near Armitage around 6:30pm near Calvin's Barbecue restaurant. The shooting is known to be gang related and according to SGT Giambrone, there were no reporting eye witnesses. The Alderman's office reported that they have some shell casings from the scene for the police to collect. Alderman Flores also voiced that he found the shooting to be disturbing, particularly the fact that it occurred in the early evening.
action: Residents should continue to call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section. They are also encouraged to call 311 for graffiti.
SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) On June 15th, a 77 year old tenant of the senior apartment building at 2061 Campbell had a sum of money stolen from his apartment. His door was open and the criminal who was in the building apparently claiming to sell a bicycle saw the money in the apartment and stole it. The suspect was able to enter the apartment building since his mother is a senior tenant there. On June 25th, the police recovered video tape from the surveillance camera and Beat Officer Komo and his partner were able to identify the suspect as Emilio Martinez (a local known burglar) who can be arrested on probable cause. SGT Giambrone passed around a photo of Martinez at the meeting for people to identify should they see him in our neighborhood. He has a huge tattoo of a vulture on his left arm and apparently has been seen at the hotdog stand at Armitage and Western. If so, residents should call 911 immediately.
2) There was a theft reported on Fullerton just West of Western, SGT Anjou chased down the suspects aided by bike patrol officers.
3) A resident reported that their grill with a green cover was recently stolen from their backyard. They usually have the grill locked to the property, but this one occasion they left it unlocked and it was stolen overnight after midnight. SGT Giambrone suggested that the resident check the front yard of 2074 Stave which is a known front for stolen grills and other items from around the neighborhood.
SGT Giambrone reported Joniah Dirkens an older, gray haired man, and Demetrius Rice is a smaller black male, have been arrested for stealing grills together in the past.
4) Another resident reported seeing a larger man pushing an individual in a wheelchair with a stolen grill. SGT Giambrone mentioned this could be the notorious Wheelchair Tony who is a known burglar who has historically broken into cars by breaking the glass, throwing a spark plug at it.
5) There were 3 shots fired on Tuesday, June 17th at 10:20pm on the 2200 block of North Maplewood. Neighbors reported 3 thin males running North on Maplewood after the shooting. Additional accounts added that the offenders ran West heading towards Goethe Elementary School. Police were reportedly on the scene within 5 minutes of the 911 calls and took statements. This shooting is believed to be gang related and has been articulated in good detail on the GGNA email listserve.
The shooter is still an unknown Hispanic male. Police are looking for the gun to link to the crime. There was a single gun shot wound to the back of a young male.
Some neighbors reported that the shooter had braided hair with a baseball cap on backwards.
6) Alderman Flores reported that they have been getting a lot of calls for loitering at McLean and Campbell behind Congress Pizzeria. SGT Giambrone reported that the police have received several shots fired calls at that location. Alderman Flores asked if residents have noticed any particular gang colors but no one could say definitively. There has been a lot of activity between 6pm and 8pm in the evening involving 4 - 5 males.
Residents also reported seeing a young male near Western and McLean believed to be gang related communicating via cell phone looking down McLean and Campbell.
7) Alderman Flores' office has noticed an increase in gang loitering outside it's office
8) Two young males were seen loitering at Western and Armitage near Lazo's tacos wearing red colored clothing. SGT Giambrone believes they might have been Latin Lover gang members responding to Spanish Lords coming West of Western.
9) A resident noticed a group of 10 gang members likely to be Spanish Lords during one afternoon walking West on Lyndale.
10) Residents discussed what could be the cause for the gang movements in the Beat and believe it might simply be the attempt to claim old territories previously controlled by other gangs and not necessarily about selling drugs.
11) A resident mentioned that there is a rumored history with Congress Pizza delivery drivers being drug addicts and that they could possibly be creating a drug economy in that area.
12) There has also been a lot of gang tagging, particularly Spanish Lords - at least 10 cases were reported by residents.
13) There is reportedly a Hispanic, female prostitute seen walking along McLean near Western usually intoxicated. She wears her hair pulled back, commonly wearing camouflage pants and has a very distinctive walk. The police were aware of this individual and reported that she goes by the name of Sonia. SGT Giambrone has also seen her on Milwaukee.
14) There are a few foreclosed homes on Maplewood that the homeless have been reportedly breaking into.
action: A spike in gang activity and graffiti and loitering at McLean and Campbell. Police need to pay special attention to that area. Residents should call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section including gang activity.
SECTION 3 (Borders: Rockwell, Fullerton, Western, Lyndale)
1) Nothing significant was reported.
SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) A large group of 10 - 15 gang members wearing white t-shirts (likely Spanish Lords) were reportedly seen at Goethe Elementary School walking West down Belden during the evening of Thursday, June 5th. SGT Giambrone believes they are likely trying to recruit around the school.
2) Alderman Flores reported that his office has put together a task force targeting all businesses with liquor license on Milwaukee avenue to develop a better self-enforcement mechanism to control their patrons.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti. Police to address Spanish Lord gang infestation at Goethe Elementary School in the afternoons.
SECTION 5 (Borders: California, Logan Boulevard, Rockwell, Fullerton)
1) Residents reported that the former Bolzano's pizzeria now has a sign for Bingo on Friday nights and that it's also an AMVETS station.
2) There was no further information from police on the shooting reported at last month's Beat meeting at 2500 N. Washtenaw.
action: Alderman Flores' office and the Police need to investigate on the 2500 blcok of Washtenaw.
SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) SGT Giambrone reported that a resident just East of our Beat on Hamilton (near Avondale just East of Western) had a large amount of tools stolen from his property. Apparently, there was a police call to stop a vehicle that had tools including a very noticeable large saw. Apparently the burglar had robbed 2 properties in the same day. Beat officers arrested the suspect for theft and were able to return the tools back to the property owner. unfortunately, the suspect could not also be charged for burglary since there were no witnesses placing him at the scene.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti
Recurring Problem Areas for BEAT 1431
1) Gang recruiting
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.
