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Meeting Minutes

March 21, 2013

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:00pm at Haas Park Field House, 2402 N. Washtenaw.

Officers Present: SGT Giambrone, SGT Reyes, PO Chavez, PO Vanoar, PO Navarro, Liz Rios (14th District CAPS organizer)

Number of Beat 1431 residents present: 23

General Announcements
Overall, the top 10 crimes for our Beat 1431 decreased over the last 2 months. The top 3 crimes were, 1) Theft: decreased to 20 incidents, 2) Battery: increased by 3 incidents and 3) Motor Vehicle Theft: stayed constant at 10 incidents.

There were 3 incidents of Strong Arm Robbery in our Beat prompting SGT Reyes to share words of caution to people when exiting the train and walking outside alone, particularly late at night. People need to be very aware of their surroundings. Try not to use headphones when walking alone, particularly later in the evening making you an easier target to be robbed.


Chicago's Citywide Clean & Green Volunteer Clean-Up
Saturday, April 20th
Haas Park and Humboldt Park neighborhood residents are encouraged to sign up to volunteer in cleaning up and recycling litter and trash as part of a citywide effort on April 20th to beautify our communities. The city will provide the use of brooms, rakes, shovels and bags needed to do the work.
To register or for more information call 311.

Shaken Baby Syndrome Workshop, Wednesday, April 10th
14th District D.V. Committee will be hosting a shaken baby workshop
Wednesday, April 10th at 1:30pm at the 14th District Police Station

Rear Facing Property Address Numbers
Liz Rios provided reflective house numbers for interested property owners in attendance to display on the rear of their properties. There is a city ordinance for all properties to display address numbers on the alley facing side of the buildings (garage or otherwise).

For a complete listing of crimes during specific time periods visit ClearMap.

1) Gang graffiti has been removed from the boarded building across from Chase Elementary School
2) The infamous Spanish Lord property on the 2700 block of W. Francis Pl. continues to have problems. Jerry Gabrielatos from Alderman Moreno's office is investigating this problem property. He has spoken with the property owner who is apparently "apathetic". SGT Reyes referenced the most recent calls of service involving the property and only 1 pertained to the address, involving narcotics. There was also reportedly a porch fire at this address in January. SGT Reyes encouraged residents to call 911 for any crime witnessed on this property.
Residents have also reported seeing new tenants in the property over the last month.
3) SGT Reyes reported that he is aware and working with the property on the 2000 block of California that reportedly has vicious dogs that are not secured properly within the property. A resident mentioned that there continues to be a growing hole in the rotting fence that is penning the dogs within the property. SGT Reyes requested that neighbors call 911 if they feel threatened by the dogs or should they get loose.
4) SGT Reyes commended 14th district police officers for a proactive fugitive warrant arrest on the California Blue Line platform. The officers noticed that the individual was smoking on the platform and asked him a few questions that he subsequently did not answer consistently. The officers discovered that he had a warrant for his arrest in Arizona. The fugitive apparently complimented the officers on their ability to arrest him.
5) A resident thanked the 14th District police for their quick response to his recent call regarding late night loud noise at the Table, Donkey and Stick restaurant. The resident also mentioned that this restaurant has applied for a patio license, and despite being in favor of the business obtaining the license, this resident wants the business to keep the patron noise level within control and not extend beyond business hours disturbing neighbors.
6) A resident also commended the Wicker Park police officers who arrested a Blue Line subway thief.
action: Residents are urged to continue calling 911 to report the ongoing gang and criminal activity.

1) SGT Giambrone delivered a general announcement of concern for the employees and/or owners of liquor or venue establishments along the Milwaukee avenue corridor in attendance at the meeting. He strongly requested that any management or staff of the establishment carry an Illinois state ID or drivers license to aid in police responding to incidents at these properties. Police officers cannot write citations or provide notices to these individuals without seeing proper legal identification. Failure to provide an ID will result in a physical arrest. He also added that the officers have not been getting proper cooperation from the venues along the Milwaukee corridor and requested that this improve or there will be consequences involving business court appearances.
2) There have been incidents of unlicensed parking operations along Milwaukee Avenue and the police have been writing citations. The CVS parking lot on Milwaukee avenue has been used as one of the unlicensed parking lots. The police indicated they are not getting great cooperation from the venues who are utilizing these illegal parking operations.
3) Traffic congestion spanning from Armitage to Rockwell continues to be a problem during venue events along Milwaukee Ave. Jerry Gabrielatos from Ald. Moreno's office learned that a traffic flow analysis was done by the city, however, it was performed during the day and not in the evening when the venues are active. Therefore, this analysis was not useful requiring further investigation and resolution to these traffic problems.
4) On March 8th, there was a report of public drinking, urination and parking without a permit by Congress Theater patrons. Residents should call 911 when witnessing these crimes and should also try contacting Jazmine de Natera, the "Community Outreach Coordinator" for Congress Theater, at 312-350-4087. Neighbors are encouraged to text the venue contacts, such as Jazmine, which is more immediate and provides a record of the contact being made with specific issues. Jazmine mentioned that Congress Theater has several security guards who are walking the blocks surrounding the theater and are responsive to any reports of criminal activity from patrons.

action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

1) SGT Giambrone shared that he misstated the fact during our last CAPS meeting that there was a shooting incident at Ultra Lounge located at Talman and Milwaukee (2169 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in December. 4 people in the club were shot. This was a gang related shooting at the club involving a gang active outside of our Beat 1431. The owner is cooperating in the ongoing investigation.
2) Liz Rios introduced 3 volunteer parent patrol members serving Goethe Elementary school who were in attendance at the meeting. They patrol the school grounds immediately before and after the the school day, helping manage traffic issues, safety and other issues. The 14th District helps provide training for these individuals. Residents are grateful for their participation.

action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

1) A resident mentioned that a neighbor was rear-ended by another vehicle and the offending driver did not share any information or produce current insurance. The neighbor called 911 and was instructed to go to the nearest police station and file a report - the neighbor was wondering if this was a typical procedure. SGT Giambrone mentioned that an officer may not arrive at the scene of the accident if it is not a hit and run or the property damage is under 00. SGT Giambrone also mentioned that if the offending driver did not provide valid insurance he would be cited at the station.

action: Residents are strongly urged to call 911 to report gang activity and 311 for graffiti.

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