BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
November 6th, 2008

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 7:00 pm at 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California.

Officers Present: PO Smith, PO Redelsperger, PO Gomez, PO Sherman with Preventative Programs, Liz Rios (14th District CAPS organizer), SGT Bettancourt

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 19

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

General Announcements
PO Sherman from Preventative Programs addressed the meeting with the following robbery prevention safety tips:
- Remain alert within your surroundings
- When you leave your house to enter your car, have your keys out and ready to quickly get in and drive away
- Prior to getting into your car, check the front and back seats to ensure no one is hiding in the vehicle
- When shopping and carrying bags to your car, be mindful that you could be watched by a criminal. Do not take a lot of time to arrange shopping bags in the trunk of the car to minimize the time a criminal has to walk up behind you.
- If you are going to continue to shop, place your purchases in the trunk of your car and drive to another parking location to make potential criminals who are watching you think you are leaving.
- Try to stay in groups of 2-3 people when walking and look at suspicious people directly to let them know you see them and remember a brief description.
- Walking in alleys late in the evening is not safe for men or women, particularly when walking alone even in your own neighborhood.
- If you jog outside, do it during the day on known safe routes. Also, when wearing headphones, try to keep one headphone out of your ear to enable you to hear your surroundings.
- We live in a big city and during the tough economic times and approaching holiday season, thieves are looking for targets. Remain vigilant and look out for your neighbors and call 911 whenever you have reason to be afraid or see anything suspicious.
For additional information contact the Preventative Programs Section at 312-745-5838.

Liz Rios announced that there will be a self-defense event in response to a sexual assault that happened over a month ago in Beat 1433. The 14th District has organized the event next Thursday, November 13th from 6pm - 7:30pm, at the Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 N. Damen, all ages are welcome. Come prepared to participate!
Rios also mentioned that she and a few other community members are considering organizing a similar event for Beat 1431 as well.

Finally, Liz Rios mentioned that the 14th District Police Station is organizing a toy donation for needy children between November 10th and December 12th. More information regarding this event can be found below.

Lastly, a resident shared two safety tips he has found useful. First, carry your keys with you while you are walking with one of the keys between your fingers creating a sharp protrusion that can be used to stab a criminal in self-defense. Secondly, whenever riding in a car, keep your doors locked to prevent outside entry.

Beat 1433 Self-Defense Event
Date: Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Location: Wicker Park Fieldhouse, 1425 N. Damen
Time: 6pm - 7:30pm (all ages welcome)
Be prepared to participate!
For further information: 14th District Community Policing Office (312) 744-1261 or CAPS.014DISTRICT@CHICAGOPOLICE.ORG

14th District Community Policing Christmas Party
The 14th District Chicago Police Department, CAPS, Domino's Pizza, and local businesses have united to bring smiles and joy to the 14th District's neediest children this Holiday season. Please help by donating new, unwrapped toys.

Drop-Off Dates and Location:
November 10th - December 12th
14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California
Donations should be suitable for newborn children to 14 years of age.

For further information: 14th District Community Policing Office (312) 744-1261 or CAPS.014DISTRICT@CHICAGOPOLICE.ORG


CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From October 1st - 31st, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 62 crimes, a decrease of 6 from last month (68):
- 1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT *
- 2 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 2 BURGLARY *
- 1 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
- 3 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 1 FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
- 1 FRAUD
- 20 LARCENY THEFT *
- 1 LIQUOR LAWS
- 3 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 4 ROBBERY
- 1 SEX OFFENSE - CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE *
- 5 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 9 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 7 VANDALISM
- 1 WEAPONS

* indicates index crimes (most serious offenses)

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

Beat 1431 Court Advocacy Report
1) Charge CTA - Trespass On/Remain
Defendants Jose Salgado and Rick Waller appeared. Neither police officer nor CTA appeared in court. City attorney "Non Suited" the case and charges were dismissed. Jose Salgado still has an active $3,000.00 warrant for his arrest from previous case.

2) 3 defendants charged with Reckless Conduct
Alderman Manny Flores appeared with several court advocates at the 1st hearing on 10/15/08 for the defendants involved in the gang problem on the 2400 block of McLean. It was set for trial on 1/14/09 at 9:00 AM at Branch 23 which is located at Grand and Central. We hope that others in the community can join us at that time for this case.

The defendants are Jose Martinez, Juan Perez, Pedro Ramos and Jose Gallegos. They were arrested on 8/15/08 and all were charged with Reckless Conduct for flashing gang signs and other gang activity at a park playground located at 2159 W Wabansia. The arresting officer appeared in court for both hearing.

Alderman Manny Flores appeared with court advocates at the 1st hearing on 10/8/08. At that time the defendants would not agree to a plea deal and requested a continuance in order to hire their own attorney. At this next hearing on 11/7/08, several court advocates including Jerry Gabrielatos from the Alderman's office, appeared as court advocates and were acknowledged by the judge. The defendants and their lawyer filed their appearance motion and requested a trial date of 1/14/08 at 9:00 AM.

These guys are said to be involved in the activities that have occurred on McLean St these last few months. We would like to make the community's presence known at their trial. If anyone wishes to join us, please mark your calender 1/14/09 at 9:00 AM. We need to reclaim our neighborhood from these gangs before some innocent person gets shot in their cross fire.

Thank you for your support.

Reported Shots Fired Beat Map

Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) Drug and gang activity occurring primarily in the afternoons between 2-4pm was reported at a residence on the 2700 block of Prindiville, people have been reportedly seen driving up to the residence, going in and then leaving. SGT Bettancourt is aware of the problem.
2) There continues to be gang activity at a property on Francis & Point, the property is boarded up, however, it may require "No Trespassing" signs. SGT Bettancourt will drive by the property and Community Policing will also notify the owner of this property that it needs to be properly secured to prevent tresspassing.
3) Problem residents from the 2000 block of Bingham have moved to a property on Maplewood near the CVS drugstore (good news for section 1, bad news for section 2). SGT Bettancourt mentioned that he believes these residents are aware they have received the attention of neighbors and police and might start behaving responsibly.
4) A resident asked SGT Bettancourt if there were active gang members on Armitage near Western, and the SGT mentioned the Cobras and MLDS are in the area, however, they have been quiet. Whenever there is a flare up of activity the police try to quickly disperse it. According to Bettancourt, there was a love interest that was causing gang loitering near Armitage and Milwaukee, and that love interest has moved out of this area, apparently taking the loitering with her.
5) A resident requested that additional "No Loitering" signs be installed across from Mariano's cafe on Prindiville. The Beat community policing office will obtain and install the signs.
6) PO Gomez reported that there were 5 arrests made on Stave for the breaking of car windows in the section.
action: Police officers to check on boarded up property at Francis and Point and request "No Tresspassing" signs to be installed.
Community Policing needs to install "No Loitering" signs at Prindiville and Milwaukee, along Prindiville across from Mariano's.
Residents should continue to call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section. They are also encouraged to call 311 for graffiti and the Alderman's Office for problems with abandoned buildings.

SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) Residents reported underage drinking and late night parties at 2424 W. Palmer. Police will keep an eye on the property and PO Torres will notify owner of situation (who is reported to be out of the country).
2) Spanish Lord gang activity continues to be a nuisance on the 2400 block of McLean.
3) SGT Bettancourt encouraged residents in this area on McLean to remain confident and strong against the gang bangers and to call 911 whenever feeling threatened or intimidated. SGT Bettancourt mentioned that the increased presence from CAPS volunteers and resident attention on McLean is having a positive influence winning the battle against the gang activity.
4) PO Smith reported he has been aggressively ticketing the parking around Congress Pizza and the owner of this establishment has been cooperating in better controlling his pizza delivery drivers who have been reportedly illegally parking and driving while under the influence besides being a general nuisance. The police are working with the owner to keep the alley free of parking as best they can.
5) The alderman's office has a cease and desist order on an illegal body shop behind the property at 2431 W. McLean which also apparently seems to have gang ties. If anyone sees any activity in this illegal operation, call 911.
6) The alderman's office has reported many instances of "Helter Skelter" graffiti in the area.
7) A resident reported gym shoes hanging from an electrical wire behind Danny's Liquors at Lyndale and Western. These are usually symbolic of gang and drug activity - the alderman's office will schedule a truck to remove the shoes.
8) SGT Bettancourt mentioned there seems to be a small group of young individuals who have been seen loitering at a storefront near Congress Theater who might be responsible for acid etching graffiti crimes on Milwaukee during the early hours of the morning.
action: Residents should continue to call 911 for any emergency or crime in this section. And report shootings on the list serve.

SECTION 3 (Borders: Rockwell, Fullerton, Western, Lyndale)
There were no reported problems in this section.

SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) There were no reported problems in this area, however, SGT Bettancourt mentioned that the police have been trying to control the Latin Lover gang activity around Goethe Elementary School making it safe for children and parents.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

SECTION 5 (Borders: California, Logan Boulevard, Rockwell, Fullerton)
There were no reported problems in this section.

SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) A resident reported a robbery over the past month on the 2400 block of Rockwell in the alley. A man was held up in the alley between 8am - 9am. SGT Bettancourt felt it might have been random since there were no other incidences around that time. Bettancourt also underscored the importance of remaining secure in your car and being alert and cautious of surroundings.
2) Derek Tate's murder court hearing has been continued to December 4th when they might start motions. SGT Bettancourt feels it might be early next year when they start address the offenders plea agreements.
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.