BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
March 5th, 2009

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Chase Elementary School, 2021 N. Point.

Officers Present: PO Trempe, SGT Giambrone, PO Gomez, 14th District Community Organizer Chris Wright, PO Rapacz, CAPT Anderson.

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 10

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

General Announcements
SGT Viverito, who last month was announced as our new Beat 1431 Sargeant, has transfered to a different district. With SGT Viverito's departure, SGT Giambrone has assumed the Beat SGT role for us again, maintaining the consistency and continuity for our CAPS community.

Chris Wright has joined the 14th District Police Department serving as a Community Organizer (formerly held by Liz Rios who has transferred to another district).

PO Ken Trempe is back on duty protecting our Beat after being away several months on medical leave. The Beat 1431 CAPS community is very pleased for his healthy return to service.

PO Rapacz spoke on the importance of being aware of your surroundings when walking about the neighborhood, particularly in light of the criminal sexual assault that occurred in February by an offender still at large. She strongly encouraged women in particular to attend self-defense classes, carry either pepper spray or a personal alarm device, and to avoid wearing headphones or talking on a cellphone especially when walking alone.

Chicago Police Department Community Awareness: Offender Still At Large
A second sexual assault occurred on the 2100 block of North Maplewood on February 18th. The offender is believed to be the same individual involved in the February 2nd attack on the 2300 block of Moffat (listed below).

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!

Chicago Police Department "Don't Be a Victim!" Event
Come to one of two special forums to discuss safety issues. Please wear casual, loose fitting clothes for the self-defense portion.
Session 1
Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Time: 10am
Location: Holstein Park Field House, 2200 North Oakley Avenue

Session 2
Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
Time 6:30pm
Location: Pulaski Park Field House, 1419 West Blackhawk Street

These events have been sponsored by the following:
1st Ward Alderman Manuel Flores
32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack
CAPS Implementation Office
14th District Chicago Police Department

For further information, contact Chris Wright at the CAPS Office at (312) 742-0961

General Safety Tips (for Women)
The Area 5 Detective Division of the Chicago Police Department has provided the following important safety tips (especially for women) to follow:
- Always try to walk, jog, or ride your bike with a partner
- Avoid secluded, dark areas or shortcuts
- Stay on busy well-lit and heavily-populated streets
- Walk with energy, confidence and purpose. Hold your head up, look around constantly, be alert and check your surroundings
- Try not to carry bulky purses, bags or parcels. Always keep at least one hand free
- When you are alone, avoid wearing headphones; try not to be engrossed in reading; avoid talking on your cellular telephone for long periods of time. You must be able to see and hear who or what is approaching from all directions
- Always try to wear clothing and shoes that allow you freedom of movement
- If you do take the bus alone at night, sit by the driver, stay awake and alert, and have someone meet you at your stop. If you travel by taxi, have the driver watch you safely enter your destination
- Never get in or out of your vehicle without doing a visual sweep of the immediate area for suspicious persons. Be sure that your doors are locked and windows closed. Do not park your vehicle in dimly-lit, isolated areas of parking lots.
- Follow your instincts. If you think you are being followed and you don't feel safe, cross the street, change your route and prepare to run for help. Know of open businesses and other public areas that you can go to, if you need help.
- Keep your family or friends advised of your whereabouts and what time you are supposed to arrive or return.

Key points to remember:
- There is safety in numbers
- Ignoring your instincts is simply not worth the risk
- Don't be afraid or too shy to ask for an escort to your vehicle or residence
- Adopt a frame of mind that will allow you to recognize and avoid potential threats on the street

For further information, contact Area Five Detective Division at 312-746-8282

CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From February 1st - 28th, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 49 crimes, the same number from last month:
- 1 BURGLARY *
- 1 CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT *
- 1 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
- 3 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 1 FORGERY AND COUNTERFEITING
- 2 FRAUD
- 11 LARCENY THEFT *
- 1 LIQUOR LAWS
- 5 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 2 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 1 ROBBERY *
- 2 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 12 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) Gabriel Nieves, Edwin Nieves and Linear Caballero were arrested for defacing property with graffiti on the 2600 block of W. Armitage. The court date is set for March 18th.

2) Augustine Ramirez, Daphniz Mancilia who are frequent offenders in our Beat 1431 were convicted of robbery and are in County jail.


Reported Shots Fired Beat Map
There were no reported shots over the past month.

Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) Many instances of graffiti have been reported all over the section.
2) There was a report of a man following a woman in the section from a currency exchange to the Family Dollar. The woman stopped into the Family Dollar after being aware that she was being followed and proceeded to call the police. The man following her entered the Family Dollar and when he realized the police were called, fled the scene. There was no description of the man provided at the meeting.
PO Trempe mentioned that he has heard reports of a dark haired, Hispanic male drug addict who has been following people pretending he has a gun. PO Trempe responded to a call on the 2100 block of Point responding to a call regarding this individual but did not find him.
3) A resident reported that a large number of transients have broken into the abandoned building at 2117 Stave and are living on the 2nd floor of the property. Despite reportedly being in foreclosure for the last 2 years, power is still on in the building. The hot water heater apparently has been stolen along with all the appliances.
4) Gabriel Nieves, Edwin Nieves and Linear Caballero were arrested for defacing property with graffiti on the 2600 block of W. Armitage. The court date is March 18th.
5) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- Two "Criminal Trespass" arrests were made on the 2000 block of Point St., February 6th.
- A "Possession of Cocaine" arrest was made on the 2200 block of Milwaukee Ave., February 7th.
- Two "Minor Drinking" arrests were made on the 2700 block of Armitage Ave., February 9th.
- A "Drinking Alcohol in the Public Way" arrest was made on the 2200 block of California Ave., February 16th.
- A "Disorderly Conduct - Drinking in Public" arrest was made on the 2000 block of California Ave., February 23rd.
- A "Criminal Trespass" arrest was made on the 2200 block of Milwaukee Ave., February 27th.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) A sexual assault occurred on the 2100 block of North Maplewood on February 18th. The offender is believed to be the same individual involved in the February 2nd attack on the 2300 block of Moffat.
2) A formal complaint was filed two weeks ago against the male teenager living unsupervised on the 2400 block of West Palmer who has been a nuisance by hosting loud, late night parties Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. SGT Giambrone and Jerry Gabrielatos from Alderman Flores' office have initiated and are following these formal proceedings.
3) For the 4th consecutive time, the owner of Congress Pizza failed to appear at the CAPS meeting to address gang and drug activity that is reportedly occurring at the restaurant. CAPS and Alderman Flores' office have requested the attendance of the owner for the last 4 months.
4) Jim Rhodes remarked that the soon to open 2047 venue on Milwaukee has a capacity of 1400 - 1500 people, and Congress Theater can hold 4000. This means there is a chance that Section 2 will have to absorb up to 5500 people twice a week. Owners of the 2047 venue mentioned that there will be different types of crowds throughout the evening and early morning that might moderate the number of people during these periods.
5) PO Trempe reported that he arrested 2 Spanish Lord gang members by Congress Pizza on March 3rd.
6) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- Three "Reckless Conduct" arrests were made on the 2100 block of Western Ave., on February 9th.
- A "Possession of Cannabis" arrest was made on the 2100 block of Western Ave., on March 2nd.
- There were 4 battery arrests in connection with a Congress Theater event on the 28th of February.
action: Police need to be aware of the Congress and Club 2047 events to ensure there is adequate attention if needed to handle the influx of large crowds in the section. 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)
1) SGT Giambrone reported a "Disorderly Conduct" arrest on the 2400 block of Medill Ave., on February 22nd.

SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) There were no reported issues at Tini Martini at Talman and Milwaukee, however, PO Trempe questioned whether the club security detail is adequate to handle the type of clientele it has been attracting. Describing the situation as an "accident waiting to happen", PO Trempe mentioned that many of the patrons are not from the neighborhood and therefore have less interest in respecting the neighborhood (e.g. complaints of loud patrons exiting the club and littering). The CAPS attendees are requesting that Tini Martini club owners attend the next CAPS meeting to discuss the problems they have had at the club resulting in calls to the police and whether their security detail is sufficient to prevent and handle these disturbances.
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) A resident reported graffiti continuing to be a problem on the condo building on Washtenaw and Belden Avenues. The latest tagging appeared to be "24T" which the police could not identify - it may or may not be gang tagging.
4) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- A "Drinking Alcohol in the Public Way" arrest was made on the 2300 block of California Ave., on February 9th
- A "Domestic Battery" arrest was made on the 2700 block of Belden Ave., February 16th.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

SECTION 5 (Borders: California, Logan Boulevard, Rockwell, Fullerton)
1) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- A "Domestic Battery" arrest was made on the 2700 block of Fullerton Ave., on February 8th.
- A "Battery" arrest was made on the 2600 block of Fullerton Ave., on February 28th.

SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) Graffiti was reported on Western and Fullerton Avenues.
2) On February 9th, there were two arrests made on the 2400 block of Maplewood for the selling of cocaine to an undercover officer, as well as for the possession of cannabis. Upon a follow-up, officers returned to the address with a "consent to search" order and recovered a .22 caliber revolver.
3) SGT Giambrone reported a "Battery Arrest" on the 2400 block of Maplewood Ave., on February 7th.
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.