BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
February 5th, 2009

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California.

Officers Present: PO Komo, PO Smith, PO Moriarty, Beat SGT Viverito, SGT Giambrone

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 16

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

General Announcements
Beat 1431 has another new Beat Sergeant, Vincent Viverito.

SGT Giambrone reported that as the weather starts to become milder, gang activity will start to increase, with gang members loitering on corners flashing gang signs provoking rival gang retaliations. To try to minimize the impact of this criminal activity, Giambrone reported that there will be bike mounted police targeting this activity and police intelligence will help predict where the violence will occur.

A couple other helpful reminders from SGT Giambrone:
1) Decrease the chance of auto theft by not warming up your car by leaving it running unattended with the keys in the ignition.
2) When exercising outside, try to go with a friend, have a cellphone handy and do not wear headphones that could prevent you from hearing your surroundings.

A resident reported that Club 2047 is awaiting an inspection from the fire department before it can open. The business has invested in a lease with the CVS Pharmacy to use their parking lot as well as with Midwest Valet and apparently feels confident that they can handle the crowds they expect to attract.

Chicago Police Department Community Awareness
Be aware of a Criminal Sexual Assault which occurred on the 2300 block of West Moffat on February 2, 2009. The offender approached the victim from behind, and escorted her into a gangway where he assaulted her. Please pay special attention to the area.

Offender's description:
Male, Black, approximately 28 years of age. 5' 06" to 5' 07" tall, 180-200 pounds, brown eyes and hair, medium complexion with a goatee, wearing a brown waist length jacket.

If you have any information please, CALL 911 immediately!


CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From January 1st - 31st, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 49 crimes, a decrease of 50 from last month (99):
- 2 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 4 BURGLARY *
- 5 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 3 FRAUD
- 16 LARCENY THEFT *
- 3 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 2 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 2 ROBBERY *
- 1 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 5 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 6 VANDALISM

* indicates index crimes (most serious offenses)

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

Beat 1431 Court Advocacy Report
1) January 21st, Branch 46, 555 W. Harrison
Defendants Jose Martinez, Juan Perez and Jose Gallegos, Spanish Lords gang reckless conduct arrest at McLean St.

The three defendants appeared with their lawyer and changed their request to a bench trial. A bench trial was conducted and the judge found the defendants not guilty of reckless conduct.

2) Another one of these defendants, Pedro Ramos, however, is currently at the Illinois Department of Corrections serving a drug charge.


Reported Shots Fired Beat Map
There were no reported shots fired over December.

Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) For the 4th month, drug activity was reported at a residence on the 2700 block of Prindiville. Jerry from Alderman Flores' office announced that the residence has not been the subject of any 911 calls. He strongly urged residents to call 911 on this address if criminal activity is seen. PO Komo reported that he has not seen the reported drug activity involving hiding drugs in wheel wells of parked vans near the property.
2) Residents living on the 2600 block of Armitage near Point reported that their front door has been tagged weekly. The graffiti is not believed to be gang related and the tags seem to change, however, they reported that the tag "MOB" has been used most frequently. The tagging has occurred during the day as well as during the evening between 6pm - 9pm.
SGT Giambrone suggested that they install a motion sensitive light above the door and alert their neighbors to keep an eye out for the vandals and call 911 if they see any of the tagging occur. Giambrone also mentioned that MLD (Mania Latin Disciple) gang members periodically tag properties in this area, particularly the alleys to provoke their rival YLO (Young Latino Organization) Cobras who remain North of Armitage.
This same couple reported that their home was recently burglarized midday at 1pm, however, they have a security camera that captured the criminals and the crime is currently under investigation.
A police officer mentioned that it is important for residents to not leave new appliance boxes outside in the alley as they can attract burglars interested in stealing such items.
3) Residents inquired about the alarm that has been going off at the vacant, former Max Gerber building at Milwaukee and Belden. According to SGT Giambrone, the alarm is no longer connected to the alarm company and the 14th District Police are in the process of tracking down who the appropriate party is to take responsibility for this nuisance. Meanwhile, the police are ticketing and fining the property every time they are called to address the alarm.
4) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- An "Issuance of Warrant" arrest was made on the 2100 block of Point St., January 9th.
- An "Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse" arrest was made involving a 9 year old victim and a juvenile offender on the 2100 block of Point St., January 9th.
- A "Criminal Trespass to Property" arrest was made on the 2200 block of Milwaukee Ave., January 9th.
- A "Possession of Heroin" arrest was made on the 2100 block of Stave St., January 17th, between 15 and 100 grams was found making it a felony.
- Two battery arrests were made on the 2200 block of Milwaukee Ave., January 18th.
- Three graffiti arrests were made on the 2700 block of Armitage Ave., January 20th
- A "Drinking Alcohol on the Public Way" arrest was made on the 2100 block of California Ave., January 23rd.
- A "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol" arrest was made on the 2000 block of California Ave., January 31st.
- A "Possession of Drug Paraphernalia" arrest was made on the 2700 block of St. Georges Ct., January 31st.
action: Jerry from Alderman Flores' office will again confirm whether the property has been the subject of 911 calls in the event he had the wrong property address. If drug activity is seen, residents should call 911 to report the crime.

SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) Residents from this section returned to again report underage drinking and late night parties at a residence on the 2400 block of West Palmer. A male teenager is reportedly residing at this property under no adult supervision. His grandmother is no longer living at the address and has not been seen since March of last year. The teenager's mother does not live at the property either. The teenager has been obtaining alcohol and hosting loud, late night parties Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Neighbors have been calling 911, however, there are individuals who watch for the police and signal the music to stop and lights to turn off. Police need to enter the property and deal with these delinquents.
Residents reported that one time police officers did enter the property and removed approximately 50 individuals. Once the officers left, the party continued.
Jerry Gabrielatos from Alderman Flores' office reported that Officer Robles has been to the property and the community policing department has been notified.
PO Moriarty also suggested to the residents to establish a phone tree (which they already had done) to increase the amount of calls to 911 on this address.
2) For a 3rd consecutive time, the owner of Congress Pizza failed to appear at the CAPS meeting to address gang and drug activity that is reported to be occurring at the restaurant. CAPS and Alderman Flores' office have requested the attendance of the owner for the last 3 months.
Instead, the owner again had a delivery driver appear at the meeting and report that the restaurant has done the following:
- Prevented parking in the alley
- Posted "no loitering" signs
- Allow only employees to enter the establishment via the pizza delivery entrance
- Called 911 for drug and gang activity
They have not, however, fixed the security camera behind the restaurant.
Jerry from Alderman Flores' office spoke to the owner today asking him to appear at the CAPS meeting to no avail. According to the pizza delivery driver attending the CAPS meeting, the owner's schedule is too busy to attend the meeting. Despite saying that he will attend the CAPS meeting, the owner has yet to appear.
3) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- A "Criminal Trespass to Land" arrest was made on the 2200 block of Western Ave., January 16th.
- A "Simple Assault" arrest was made on the 2000 block of Western Ave., February 2nd.
action: Residents need to continue to call 911 on the Palmer property and Police need to enter the property to curtail the disruptive activity.
Jerry Gabrielatos from Alderman Flores' office and CAPS will continue to apply pressure on the manager of Congress Pizza to address gang and drug activity at the restaurant and to appear at the next CAPS meeting. Residents should also 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 crimes in this section.

SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) For the second month, Tini Martini has had patrons involved in criminal activity. SGT Giambrone reported that there was a battery arrest involving 2 female patrons at the club on January 24th.
SGT Giambrone also reported that some of the patrons at Tini Martini are gang members, and the bouncer has had to remove them from the club on occasion.
SGT Giambrone did report that Tini Martini has been "good about calling 911."
2) Late night and early morning drinking and littering of bottles continues primarily on the weekends on Talman avenue between Lyndale and Medill, both on the West and East sides of Talman along Goethe Elementary School.
3) Gang graffiti has been covering the rear of the Dunkin Donuts, Bubbleand and Blockbuster Video buildings on Lyndale Ave. between Belden and Washtenaw.
4) Goethe Elementary School requested from the officers that parking tickets be issued to the cars that are parked illegally in the diagonal parking on Talman and Rockwell in the mornings, preventing teachers from being able to use the parking spaces.
5) A "Prostitution" arrest was made on the 2700 block of Belden Ave., January 13th.
6) A "Simple Assault" arrest was made on the 2300 block of California Ave., January 20th.
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 crimes in this section.

SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- A "Domestic Battery - Physical Contact" arrest was made on the 2500 block of Campbell Ave., January 13th.
- A "Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol" arrest was made on the 2500 block of Western Ave., January 30th.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti

Recurring Problem Areas for BEAT 1431
1) Gang graffiti
2) Gang drug activity
3) Gang weapons violence

DISCLAIMER
Beat 1431 CAPS volunteers prepared these meeting minutes to the best of their ability.