You can download a PDF of minutes from the 6/16/2008 Beat 2431 meeting here. Below is the text version of the minutes.
Rogers Park, 24th Police District, Beat 2431
CAPS Meeting, June 16, 2008
Rogers Park Community Council Office
1530 W. Morse Avenue
Officiates:
Kevin O’Neil, Facilitator
Sgt. John Delgado, in place of Bet Team Leader Sgt. John Baranowski
Jayne M. Hoffman, notes taker
Meeting notes are paraphrased, quotations are marked accordingly.
I. Welcome and introductions.
Questions from attendees:
Can I install cameras in front of my property? Officer Aquilly: Yes, but you cannot prevent people from walking on the sidewalk.
II. Police crime report. Officer Acquilly outlined the crime report.
III. Update on issues from last meeting.
* 1340 W. Morse/1345 W. Lunt. Pete Tortorello with Newcastle Realty gave update: purchased the building in September 2007, emptied the building, and began leasing in early May and 20% of the apartments in the complex are leased. They identified that many women who want to rent feel unsafe, others on Morse noticed new people hanging around in front, may be identified as drug dealers. 24-hour security continues along with security cameras. Wexenthaler Management, Mr. Rick Lopez. Leasing begins for September 1st move-in. Go to www.ResideonMorse.com for more information. Forty-three parking spaces will also be available. Will have two Zip Cars on site. Kevin: Are you monitoring the cameras in an attempt to ID loiterers? Pete: We can. Also, no children are being exploited in anyway in regards to property renovation.
* Soo Liquors: Both Soo Liquors and Morse L Liquors, owners who are present this evening, asked not to sell the cheap bottles of liquor under $3. Morse L Liquors, located beneath the Red Line L responded appropriately. Soo Liquors failed to respond in a timely manner. Alderman Joe Moore’s office intervened by discussing the issues with the proprietors of Soo Liquors and Soo began to abide by the contract it had signed. Soo Liquors failed to comply with terms of the contract which required the removal of all small packaged liquor items priced under $3. This further resulted in complaint forms being filled out by Rogers Park citizens and submitted to the Department of Business Affairs who then conducted a series of investigations resulting in one minor violation. A narcotics investigation is the final assessment to take place. Beyond that, five letters from citizens identifying the issues and how it is a detriment to the neighborhood are required in order to go to the next step which is have a community meeting.
* Los Portales restaurant: Owner present asking for continued assistance with loiterers in restaurant.
IV. Identify new problem areas.
* A Citizen reported that her children are being exploited on the internet. A neighborhood blogger has been identified as the person recording children and posting on the internet. Police recommended the citizen ask the blogger to remove the photos.
* Pratt/Ashland: Girls jumping rope around 9 pm in the middle of Bosworth last evening. A call was made and responded to. Officer said the girls immediately moved to the sidewalk. Beat 2432 has been conducting Friday night walks targeting Bosworth and Pratt.
* Duke's Bar: Citizen 1: Noise issues affecting the senior housing on Farwell. Cookout in the alley at 11:30pm. Officer Aquilly: spoke to owner who said would try to keep people away from the back. Kevin: spoke to owner who said would refrain from letting patrons smoke in the alley. Citzen 2: Smoking out front is illegal within 15 feet of the doors. Sgt: Is there an ashtray out there for people? Citizen 2: not that I have seen.
V. Announcements
* National Night Out 2008 is on Tuesday, August 5th. Note: Date correction. Anyone interested in helping out with preparations can contact Jayne at jayne1mh@gmail.com.
* Garden Meander sponsored by the Rogers Park Garden Club on Tuesday, June 24th. Cost $10. Contact rpgardengroup@comcast.net for more information.
* Benefit for Mary Jane Haggerty on Tuesday, July 15th at Heartland Cafe. For more information, contact the Rogers Park Community Council at www.rogerspark.org.
* The next beat meeting will be Monday, July 21, 2008.
Meeting adjourned by Kevin at 7:55 P.M.
(Our apologies for the delay in posting these minutes.)