You can download a PDF of minutes from the 7/21/2008 Beat 2431 meeting here. Below is the text version of the minutes.
Rogers Park, 24th Police District, Beat 2431
CAPS Meeting, Aug. 18, 2008
Rogers Park Community Council Office
1530 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626
Officiates:
Kevin O’Neil and Jayne Hoffman, Facilitators
Sergeant Delgado, CAPS Team Leader, Chicago Police Department
I. Welcome and introductions, Kevin O’Neil, Meeting Chair. O’Neil began by holding a moment of silence for Detective Soto, who recently was fatally shot.
Changes in staffing the CAPS program. Sgt. Delgado announced that due to budget cuts and a reduction in overtime by the City of Chicago, only on-duty officers would attend CAPS meetings. Thus, first and second watch Beat2431 officers who previously attended no longer would come to the meetings.
National Night Out was a big success. Hoffman thanked the RPCC, Alderman’s office and all of the local retailers who provided volunteers and give-a-ways which made NNO 2008 a success.
School safety program overview. Kevin offered anyone who is interested in reinstating this program to see him. Last school year, volunteers walked the streets of the beat after school, trying to create a positive presence and working with students.
II. Police crime report. Officer Acquilly outlined the stats. The report is available here in pdf. The top four crimes for the month of July were Simple Battery (8), Simple Domestic Battery (7), Theft under $300 (7) and Criminal Damage to Property (7). Hull House building at 6700 block of Bosworth in question with teens loitering out on the street.
III. On-going issues: An update.
Pratt & Ashland: Call to construct a fence so that teens protected. If the teens linger outside of the fence, CPD can call a dispersal.
1340 W. Morse/1345 W. Lunt: Peter Tortorello of Newcastle Realty Ltd., is on hand to answer any questions. Units at Reside on Morse continue to lease at market rate.
6916 N. Lakewood: Jayne Hoffman summarized problems brought up at the last meeting about graffiti, odors and noise issues in the building. Hoffman introduced Dan Koulianos, General Manager for Bil Mar, who provided an update on safety and maintenance upgrades to the building. Historically, rental were made at market rate in accordance with good credit, etc. Helping out people with some issues has resulted in evictions: Over the past year, six people have been evicted. Improvements: repainted all hallways, laundry room and corridor. Carpets cleaned and all glass doors and ground-level windows replaced. New pumps, fire extinguishers, and pipe replacements went in last winter. An off-duty Cook County Police Officer works on the weekends. Tenants have received a handout requesting complaints, suggestions.
A citizen offered a letter from a neighbor not present. Citizen2: lives in the building, called 911 Friday night with issue on problem tenant and is nervous about signing complaints. Koulianos: Part-time janitor John said he would sign complaints. Citizen3: How about refusing rent from problem tenants to speed up the eviction process? Citizen4: Is it worth it to stick around after calling 911? Officer Acquilly: by the time we arrive to a scene after a 911 call, so much has happened that we really benefit from callers who stay on and sign a complaint.
Soo Liquors, 1420 W. Morse Avenue: License hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2008, at 11 am at City Hall in Room 805. Jay Kim, owner of Soo present. Alderman Moore: How can you still have stock that we asked you to quit selling more than six months ago? O’Neil: Morse L Liquors voluntarily signed the same agreement and stopped selling small packaged liquors immediately. Have you been calling 911 about loitering in front of the building? One citizen who walks passed twice daily two & from work has noticed great improvement. Citizen2: How late can you sell liquor? O’Neil: 2 am: However, the liquor stores on Morse both close at 11 pm.
IV. Identify new problem areas.
1328 Morse Avenue, Morse Theatre: Devin McGhee gave a summary about the fire started just after 3 am on Sunday, August 10. The update included that the Morse Theatre will open soon and impressed that the entire community has been influential in helping in the recovery process.
6932-6934 Lakewood/1301-1307 Morse: Citizen distributed a picture of a white female allegedly living on this property or being allowed entry to the premises. The female, known as Amanda Sabin, or Diamond, may be a prostitute and selling drugs. Attempts to contact Pana Properties were unsuccessful as the phone number was disconnected. The Alderman’s office will contact Pana Properties.
1523-25 Morse, Smart Mortgage: Owners of 4 years have had a problem with tenants not paying rent. Owners were verbally threatened by former tenants who now live down the alley. Their building has been vandalized. The owners called 311 and filed a police report once, and have upgraded the security system. Monday, August 11, recorded conversation of a possible conspiracy. Sgt. Delgado offered to talk with them after the meeting.
Increased activity at Field School. Officer Acquilly: the activities are from people who live at Lunt and Greenleaf. Kevin: Call the police (911): give good descriptions.
V. Announcements
Rogers Park Garden Group, Tuesday, August 26, 2008, “Keeping your trees terrific”
The next beat meeting will be Monday, September 15, 2008.
Meeting adjourned by Kevin O’Neil at 8:10pm.
