You can download a PDF of minutes from the 7/21/2008 Beat 2431 meeting here here. Below is the text version of the minutes.
Rogers Park, 24th Police District, Beat 2431
CAPS Meeting, July 21, 2008
Rogers Park Community Council Office
1530 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626
Officiates:
Jayne Hoffman, meeting Facilitator
Sergeant Baranowski, Beat Team Leader, Chicago Police Department
Jayne Hoffman, notes. Meeting notes are paraphrased, quotations are marked accordingly.
I. Welcome and introductions, Jayne Hoffman, meeting Chair. Hoffman welcomed everyone to the Beat meeting, and introduced 24th District Commander Steve Caluris is who greeted everyone. She continued with a brief outline of the longevity of the CAPS program and Kevin O’Neil’s extensive knowledge of Beat 2431.
II. Police crime report. Officer Zaccanino summarized last month’s crime report.
III. On-going issues: An update.
* 1340 W. Morse/1345 W. Lunt: Rick Lopez from Wexenthaler Management announced that they are leasing apartments as units become available during renovations. Parking spaces are still available. Lopez confirmed one citizen’s comment that they were also marketing to Loyola students.
* Soo Liquors, 1420 W. Morse Avenue: Jay, business owner and an advocate were on hand to respond. Hoffman provided an overview of why Soo Liquors is undergoing this challenge: Gang-related activity takes place near the storefront and out in the street during the overnight hours. The same faces are seen entering and leaving the store, often without a purchase in hand. It took Soo Liquors more than four months to comply with most of the demands on the agreement with the Alderman’s office and signed by the owner. Soo Liquors’ advocate spoke for the owner claiming that the agreement was not a legally binding contract. Hoffman stated that the premise of tonight’s discussion was to provide updated information, and that the status of the agreement was not in question, but could be presented at the hearing. The license hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2008, at 11:00am at City Hall in Room 805, and is open to all concerned citizens.
* Duke’s Bar, 6920 N. Glenwood Avenue: Owner Neil Lifton responded about the noise and smoking complaints from tenants residing at 1430 W. Farwell. None of the complainants were present. Lifton stated that the business passed inspection from the Health Department and he received a clean bill. Lifton stated that he would keep his patrons out of the alley.
IV. Identify new problem areas.
* 6916 N. Lakewood: Bad smell in building, Bil Mar not taking it seriously. Graffiti inside. Citizen called the management who “whited out” the graffiti within reasonable time. Lots of yelling, fighting heard from inside the building by neighbors living to the north of the building. Currently no lock on the outside door. Hoffman stated that this building has been an issue in the past. Management needs to address tenant issues in addition to building upkeep. Hoffman referred the tenant to Sgt. Baranowski to exchange contact information so that District 24 could obtain keys to the building.
* Citizen: Still there is loitering and panhandling during am rush hours at the CTA station. One loiterer, known as Laura, greets passersby and hands them the Red Eye news. It’s a nuisance.
V. Announcements
* National Night Out 2008 is on Tuesday, August 5th. Anyone interested in helping out with preparations can contact Jayne at jayne1mh@gmail.com.
* Benefit for Mary Jane Haggerty on Tuesday, July 15th at Heartland Cafe was a big success. More than $23,500 were collected by 8:30pm and the checks were still rolling in. The house was packed. To give something, contact Jennifer Caruso at the Rogers Park Community Council at jennifer@rogerspark.org.
* Rogers Park Garden Group meeting, Tuesday, July 29th.
* Next beat meeting is on Monday, August 18th, 2008.
* Meeting adjourned by Sgt. Baranowski at 7:38 pm.
(Our apologies for the delay in posting these minutes.)
