BEAT 1431 CAPS
Meeting Minutes
June 4th, 2009

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the 14th District Police Station, 2150 N. California.

Officers Present: PO Smith, PO Komo, 14th District Commander Martinez, SGT Giambrone, PO Gomez, Lieutenant Serb, 14th District Community Organizer Chris Wright and others

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 22

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

General Announcements
Commander Martinez announced the importance of calling 911 and also encourages residents to be patient with the police after calling. Officers take the 911 calls seriously. One reason the police may not seem to respond to the scene of the crime quickly is that they frequently attempt to follow the crime away from the scene when it is called in to have a better chance of making an arrest.

Graffiti has been a major problem citywide, however, Commander Martinez mentioned that there have been few calls for graffiti and strongly urges residents to be vigilant and call 911 if they see tagging occurring. Martinez also mentioned that the majority of the non-gang related taggers are white, male offenders, whereas the majority of gang related graffiti is being done by black and Hispanic, male offenders. Commander Martinez was pleased to announce that the 14th District has made 20% more graffiti arrests in 2009 than in 2008 thus far, a result of the police taking these crimes seriously.

PO Serb has prepared a presentation that identifies gang and non-gang related graffiti offenders and their identifying tags which will be shown in the near future at CAPS meetings to help residents identify and report these crimes.

Commander Martinez mentioned that the majority of the armed robberies that have been occurring are taking place in the Wicker Park area on Division, Damen, North and Milwaukee as well as near the Green Dolphin at Webster and Ashland. Patrons of bars and clubs leaving late at night are being targeted by muggers.
SGT Giambrone added that the victims are commonly those who are either unaware of their surroundings (inebriated or otherwise), distracted by talking on a cellphone or are listening to music through headphones.
SGT Giambrone also reminded everyone to keep doors and windows closed and locked when leaving a residence or doing gardening and general maintenance outside the property.

SGT Giambrone noted that there was an increase of 10 thefts compared to last month and did not have any clear conclusion as to why.

Out of the 30 neighboring Beats, our Beat 1431 was second lowest in crime over the past year.

Submit City Service Requests through the Internet
14th District Community Organizer, Chris Wright, announced that residents can submit city service requests via the city of Chicago's online service request form. Chris also provided an instructional handout to attendees on accessing the site and the types of services for which you can make requests.
A Google search using "Chicago, online 311 services" or following this link City of Chicago Service Request Descriptions should give you access to the site.
To make a request:
1) Click on the "Request - A City Service Online NOW" box
2) Select a specific service request type from the list of groups
3) Choose the specific city request, entering information as needed and the information that you know
4) After you have submitted the request, you will receive a service request number by email

CLEARMap (formerly Citizen ICAM)
From May 1st - 31st, according to CLEARMap, Beat 1431 suffered 76 crimes, an increase of 1 from last month (75):
- 1 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT *
- 3 AGGRAVATED BATTERY *
- 7 BURGLARY *
- 2 DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS
- 2 FRAUD
- 24 LARCENY THEFT *
- 4 MISCELLANEOUS NON-INDEX OFFENSES
- 2 MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT *
- 4 SIMPLE ASSAULT
- 9 SIMPLE BATTERY
- 18 VANDALISM

* indicates index crimes (most serious offenses)

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

Beat 1431 Court Advocacy Report
Court Advocates attended court May 27th at 26th and California for Alex Median and Antolino Phillips who are charged in the murder of Derek Tate Jr. on June 6th, 2003.
The cases are being split and the next date for Phillips is set for June 8th where his lawyer will be making a motion that there was no probable cause for his arrest.
The next court date for Medina is July 7th who is seeking tho have his statement thrown out.

Reported Shots Fired Beat Map

Beat 1431 Section Reports
SECTION 1 (Borders: California, Milwaukee, Armitage)
1) Gang loitering and drinking has been reported during early and late evenings on the 2100 block of Bingham directly under the Police camera.
2) Gang and non-gang related graffiti continues to plague the area
3) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- William Nieves was caught attempting to steal a vehicle using a crow bar on Milwaukee Ave. A resident called 911 after witnessing the crime and the police were able to arrest him. His court appearance is July 22nd at Grand and Central.
- Lino Quinn and Ricky Vasquez, notorious gang members for years in this section, were arrested May 19th for tagging the back of the newly renovated 2047 property on Milwaukee after a citizen called 911 after witnessing the tagging. Police responded quickly and were able to arrest them fleeing from the scene in an SUV. The court date is July 22nd at 1:30pm at Grand and Central.
The General Manager of the VLive nightclub, located on the 2nd floor at 2047 Milwaukee, attended the CAPS meeting and mentioned that he will be attending the court hearing.
Lieutenant Serb requested the General Manager to provide contact information for the property at the 14th District in order for the police to contact the appropriate individuals when a crime occurs at that location.
- An expired drivers license arrest was made on the 2000 block of Milwaukee on May 10th.
- A retail shoplifting arrest (under $150) was made on the 2000 block of Milwaukee on May 10th.
- A retail shoplifting arrest (over $150) was made on the 2000 block of Milwaukee on May 17th.
- A "Criminal Damage to Property < $300" arrest was made on the 2000 block of Milwaukee on May 19th. - A controlled substance arrest was made on the 2000 block of Milwaukee on May 22nd. - A "Criminal Damage to Property < $300" arrest was made on the 2600 block of Francis Place on May 30th. - An "Aggravated DUI without a valid drivers license" arrest was made on the 2200 block of California on June 2nd. action: Two significant arrests were made in this section due to vigilant residents calling 911. This is great news. Residents are urged to continue calling 911 to report criminal activity.

SECTION 2 (Borders: Rockwell, Lyndale, Western, Milwaukee)
1) SGT Giambrone reported a shooting incident that occurred the evening of May 21st. The hooded offender was walking eastbound on McLean when he shot and hit 2 Spanish Lords gang members who then, according to witnesses, retreated into Congress Pizza. The gang affiliation of the offender remains unknown. There is video of the crime and detectives are investigating, so far no one has been identified as the shooter. SGT Giambrone commended the area residents for their accounts of the shooting and for assisting the police. SGT Giambrone mentioned that the sort of interest and cooperation the residents displayed is a sign of a caring neighborhood. There was also a successful positive loitering event held in response to the shooting at the scene of the crime on Campbell and McLean. Spanish Lord gang activity has been reported in and around Congress Pizza for many months and the owners of the restaurant have not been cooperating with the community or Alderman Flores' office to address this volatile and violent situation.
2) Immediately prior to the CAPS meeting, PO Komo reported that he and PO Smith stopped at Congress Pizza and spoke with the manager and advised her to no longer send pizza delivery drivers to the CAPS meeting and that she needs to attend the meeting instead. Despite this advice, the manager failed to appear at the CAPS meeting yet again. Jerry Gabrielatos was present from Alderman Flores' office and announced that there will be an upcoming meeting at City Hall with city officials (including Jerry and Alderman Flores), representatives for Congress Pizza and 14th District Commander Martinez is also expected to attend. Interested residents will be allowed to attend the meeting, however, Jerry mentioned that it will likely occur during the work day.
Alderman Flores' office is working diligently with these matters involving Congress Pizza and residents should contact the office with any further questions or concerns.
3) Officers have been diligent in ticketing illegally parked cars in the alley behind Congress Pizza. The Congress Pizza delivery cars continue to illegally park their cars despite being ticketed and owners of the restaurant have apparently done nothing to prevent this from happening.
4) The parkway across from the restaurant by the Double Screw is currently not a legal place to park and residents are encouraged to call 311 to report illegally parked cars. Residents have discussed changing the parkway to green space with grass to discourage parking and are talking to the Alderman's office about the feasibility of getting this done.
5) The troubled young male Hispanic (early 20s) living with no supervision on the 2400 block of Palmer continues to be a major problem. Parties, drinking and drug activity are continuing during evenings and into the night on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The offender has been contacted by police and the Alderman's office and has continually ignored their warnings. Commander Martinez announced that he will be visiting the address and possibly arresting the offender for his repeat offenses since being officially warned. PO Komo and PO Smith have been stopping by the address regularly in the evening, however, they have not seen much activity and asked more specifically for a time from residents that they have seen the parties occurring. Residents at the meeting mentioned that the parties usually start around 11pm. PO Trempe has also spoken with the young male to tell him to cease his activity, however, there was no indication that the young male was going to comply.
6) There were also problems reported involving a tenant at 2415 Palmer. Apparently, units within this property are being rented for temporary corporate housing. The property owner has been contacted by Jerry at the Alderman's office, who also mentioned that he has had good dealings with the property owner in the past, and that the owner is taking care of the problem tenant immediately.
7) There were 2 reported cases of garages being broken into in the alley of the 2400 block of Palmer. The offenders were seen riding bicycles. A lawnmower was stolen from 1 garage. The residents did not call 911 and the police mentioned that they need to call 911 so that they have a chance to arrest these individuals.
8) A resident reported concerns with pedestrian safety by the "cut through" providing vehicle access back and forth from Milwaukee to Armitage in the property at 2000 N. Milwaukee. Congress Pizza drivers have been seen frequently using this cut through. Pedestrians and cyclists are most at risk crossing this entrance and exit way. PO Giambrone suggested that "No Through Traffic" signs could be posted. Jerry Gabrielatos from the Alderman's Office had some thoughts that he will try to act upon.
9) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- There were a couple burglary arrests at the Walgreens on Milwaukee including a felony arrest and arrests of individuals using and/or carrying heroin and crack cocaine.
- A "Disorderly Conduct - Breach of Peace" arrest was made on the 2100 block of Western on May 30th.
- A retail shoplifting arrest (under $150) was made on the 2200 block of Western on May 30th.
action: Congress Pizza gang activity and Congress Theater event parking remain top issues in this section.

SECTION 3 (Borders: Rockwell, Fullerton, Western, Lyndale)
1) Hispanic homeless individuals continue to urinate in public in the alleys behind properties on Medill.
2) People have been seen traveling the wrong way on Medill, frequently starting from Campbell.
3) Several residents have recently complained about the constant loitering outside Hector's Barbershop located on the SW corner of Fullerton and Maplewood. Women have reportedly been harassed by the many young males seen loitering outside the shop. These same individuals have also been littering their cigarettes all over the sidewalk.
The owner of the barbershop has historically been responsive and supportive of CAPS and community concerns, however, these recent complaints are discouraging.
4) A resident reported that he has received in his mailbox several copies of an anonymous flyer over the last month that mentions there are unnamed juvenile delinquents vandalizing property and public spaces in the neighborhood. The resident asked if anyone else has received copies of the flyer but no one else present at the meeting received them.
action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti

SECTION 4 (Borders: California, Fullerton, Rockwell, Milwaukee)
1) Residents reported that the registered sex offender, Anthony Jones, residing in Section 2 on the 2200 block of Campbell has been seen picking up his child from Goethe Elementary School. The child's mom usually picks him up, however, she has not been seen recently. Commander Martinez mentioned to residents that they should call 911 when they see Anthony Jones near the school.
2) The removal of the basketball hoops during the evening has made a dramatic impact on keeping people from using the hoops late into the night as well as being a deterrent to gang loitering around the playground.
3) A couple cases of graffiti were also reported in this section
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:
- Police arrested a known offender in the section in possession of a gun yesterday, Wednesday, June 3rd. The arrest was made after a foot chase just West of California. Commander Martinez mentioned that this individual had a long criminal record, including an incident on the 2400 block of Washtenaw, and his arrest with a gun most likely prevented a homicide.
- An "Aggravated Battery of a Police/Sheriff Employee" arrest was made on the 2500 block of Rockwell on May 25th.
- An unauthorized vehicle title/registration arrest was made on the 2400 block of Washtenaw on May 29th.
- A "Reckless Conduct" arrest was made on the 2600 block of California on June 3rd.
action: Police officers are encouraging residents to call 911 if they hear or see any suspicious activity.

SECTION 6 (Borders: Rockwell, Logan Boulevard, Western, Fullerton)
1) Several cars on the corner of Artesian and Logan Blvd. had their windows smashed during the middle of the month of May.
2) Residents also reported fire crackers were being set off in the area, possibly around Campbell. SGT Giambrone mentioned the police responded to resident calls.
3) June 6th is the anniversary of the Derek Tate murder near Tile Outlet, his family and concerned and supportive residents have been going to court for close to a year trying to seek justice on his assailants. It appears that the cases are getting closer to trial.
4) SGT Giambrone mentioned that the 11pm closing time at the skate park is being enforced and that bicycles are not allowed in the skate park. The posted sign that indicates there are no bikes allowed has been frequently vandalized and/or removed.
5) Commander Martinez asked the residents at the meeting if they have seen or made aware of any crime related to the skate park and attendees unanimously responded that they have not.
Commander Martinez mentioned that the skate park has received incredible amounts of police attention but they have not found any criminal activity.
Residents at the meeting indicated that there have been no complaints of the skate park.
6) SGT Giambrone reported the following arrests:
- Police stationed near the expressway on Logan Blvd observed a young Hispanic male named Richard Rodriguez tagging "Boddha" on the South side of the boulevard and were able to call in a description as he began to flee Southbound on Western helping officers from the Wicker Park detail nearby to make the arrest. The court date for Richard Rodriquez will be June 16th.
- There was an "Aggravated Battery Arrest" on Jose Aguilara who was having a verbal dispute with a female and he began swinging a cane which struck the officers resisting arrest. The officers were able to arrest him and found that he also was in possession of Cannabis. He was charged with felony arrests for battery as well as the possession of an illegal substance.
- Commander Martinez mentioned that there has been a "spike" in the battery of police officers with offenders trying to resist arrest. SGT Giambrone mentioned that the State's Attorney has been effective in charging these offenders who are fighting police with felony battery charges.
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.