Beat 2431 News - Rogers Park 24th Police District

Soo Liquors hearing: Must continue to monitor the good progress

Following are minutes from the Soo Liquors Community Meeting on Jan. 13 before the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection; written by Beat 2431 co-facilitator Jayne Hoffman.

Soo Liquors Hearing
Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 11:00 – 11:35 am
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
City Hall, Room 805

Hearing Officer: Shawn Burnett Whittaker

Attendees: Attorney for Soo Liquors, Rene Camargo (DevCorp North), Jay (Soo Liquors), Officer Norma Guerrero (CPD), Jayne Hoffman (CAPS 2431), Alicia Lopez (49th Ward), John (Rogers Park citizen)

Comments from the Community: Jayne Hoffman began the session stating that loitering and gang activity overall are down along the 1400 block of Morse Avenue, but pointed out that winter weather must be considered a factor in the decrease of activities.

Hoffman commended Soo Liquors, 1420 W. Morse, on two points:

• The recent decrease in criminal activity was also due to Soo Liquors’ participation in safety actions, such as calling 911 and implementation of cameras and lighting at the store.

• Jay attended the CAPS 2431 Beat meeting on January 12, 2009 with the owner of Morse L Liquors, which shows participation in CAPS program by the two retailers. Hoffman emphasized that Soo Liquors must maintain diligence in its efforts to help keep loitering and gang activities away from the store when the weather warms in order to help the community continue increasing safety, and later added that she would like to see Soo Liquors’ management expand its relations with other businesses and community constituents.

Rene Camargo stated that he would help Soo Liquors implement improvements inside and outside the store if they were willing. Camargo also suggested that Soo Liquors consider increasing the quality of wine and liquors to meet the needs of the changing clientele coming into the neighborhood due to an advent of new restaurants and entertainment establishments. A citizen suggested that Soo may want to collaborate with Los Portales restaurant who may offer a “bring your own” policy.

Officials from Alderman Moore’s office, Chicago Police Department and one Rogers Park citizen all noted that the 1400 block of Morse Avenue is much quieter and easier to get around. Officer Guerrero stated that emergency calls were down in November and December demonstrating substantial improvements in that area. Guerrero pointed out that some 911 calls were made from Soo Liquors, which demonstrates that the retailer is actively participating in safety measures.

Response: Soo Liquors’ attorney responded that Soo Liquors would sustain the level of diligence to continue with community safety efforts. Counsel asked the BACP for an extension of the next hearing into the summer because of the good results found here today.

Wrap Up: Officer Whittaker responded positively about the progress in thwarting criminal activity, and said the winter weather is a significant factor. Whittaker directed Soo Liquors that as the weather warms continued diligence on their part is warranted and that Soo Liquors should seriously consider suggestions about upgrades and collaborating with other businesses. Whittaker moved the next hearing from April to May in response to the request by Soo Liquors’ Counsel, and scheduled it for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.

Total crime in 2431 drops 4.5% in 2008 over 2007; index crime up 2.2%

In 2008, there were 46 fewer total criminal acts in Beat 2431 compared to 2007 -- 967 in 2008 as opposed to 1,013 in 2007. That represents a 4.5% decrease. (Beat 2431 is bounded by Pratt Avenue on the south (6800 North), Lunt Street on the north (7000 North), Clark Street on the West (1700 West) and the lake on the east.)

Meanwhile index crime increased slightly over 2007 -- there were 7 more victims in 2008 compared to 2007, with 323 in 2008 vs. 316 in 2007 -- a 2.2% increase.

There were five more criminal sexual assaults in 2008 than in 2007. There were 6 "non-aggravated sexual assaults" in 2008, and none in 2007.  A sergeant at the January Beat 2431 meeting explained that "non-aggravated sexual assaults" charges usually are made in cases where the victim knows the offender.

Meanwhile, there were 9 fewer robberies in 2008 (42 vs. 51) and 7 fewer thefts ( 165 vs. 172).

Aggravated assaults and batteries rose by 7 (34 vs. 27), burglaries increased by 5 (46 vs. 41), and there were 5 more auto thefts (28 vs. 23). There was 1 arson (at the Morse Theater) in 2008, none in 2007.

Non-index crimes down 7.6%

While index assault and battery increased last year, non-index assault and battery dropped by 12% (215 vs. 245). This category showed a large drop in simple domestic battery (31.2%, 66 incidents vs. 96), and in simple assault (21.2%, 78 vs. 99).

Narcotics-related incidents fell almost 17%, from 156 in 2007 to 130 in 2008. In the final catch-all category of "other non-index crimes," we saw a slight increase of 1% -- 299 in 2008 vs. 296 in 2007.

There were 53 fewer non-index crime incidents in 2008 vs. 2007 -- 644 vs. 697, a 7.6% decrease.

(Note: Beat 2431 runs from Clark and Pratt to Lunt and Clark on the west, and the Lake and Pratt and the Lake and Lunt on the east.

Index crime in 24th District dips 1.9% in 2008; total crime drops 3.2%

The 24th Police District saw total crime drop by more than 3% in 2008, while index crime fell almost 2%, according to police reports distributed at the District Advisory Committee meeting in January.

In 2008, there were 4,812 total index crimes, compared to 4,907 in 2007 --  a 1.94% decrease.

Less serious, non-index crime fell to 7,851 in 2008, against 8,171 in 2007 -- a 3.92% drop.

Combining those totals, the 24th District saw a drop of 415 total crimes in 2008 compared to 2007 -- with 12,663 in 2008 against 13,078 in 2007. That's a 3.17 decrease.

Here's a snapshot of the details from an Excel worksheet:

 

First Beat 2431 meeting of the year: Jan. 12, 2009

The first beat meeting for Beat 2431 will be held at 7 pm on Monday, Jan. 12, at the Rogers Park Community Council office, 1530 W. Morse.

Agenda items include a review of the 2008 crime stats in the beat and a discussion of overall beat goals and strategies for 2009.

Note that both the January and February meetings occur on the second Monday of the month, not the usual third Monday, because of federal and state holidays occurring on the third Mondays of those months.

You can view meeting dates for the whole year here.

Minutes from November 17, 2008, beat meeting

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, November 17, 2008
Rogers Park Community Council Office
 1530 W. Morse Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626

Officiates:
Kevin O’Neil, Beat Facilitator
Jayne M. Hoffman, District Advisory Committee (DAC)
Sergeant John Delgado, CAPS Team Leader, Chicago Police Department
Sanfilipo, Sgt. Marafino-Internal Affairs Division.

I.    Welcome and introductions – Kevin O’Neil. Announced no meeting in December, and the January and February meetings are scheduled for the 2nd week of each month due to National holidays.
Sgt. Maravolo presented on racial profiling, which is defined as arrest, detention, interdiction solely on perceived race, color, national origin of person. Biased-based policing: Activities expressly prohibited. The Chicago Police Department provides annual training to prevent biased-based policing and when there are changes to policies.
Complaints or compliments: 99% of cops do good job. We try to weed out bad apples. Tel: 312-745-3594, or web site www.iprachicago.org. Anonymous or not. Can also call as a third party complainant, on someone else’s behalf.
Review of accomplishments in Beat 2431 for 2008. (See details at the Beat 2431 Web site post.)
O’Neil: Showed CAPS training book: Can get copies from Sgt. Delgado.
Stats at first are pretty straight forward and sometimes boring. But the analysis tell a story.
Sgt. Delgado: Contact cards tools used to document interaction with the public. Individual selling drugs, offering the overall description of the individual. In database, and other like descriptions matching similar crimes get references.

Some Key Arrests:

• Milton Ervin on multiple narcotics in 2432 at Pratt/Bosworth resulted in significant decrease in activity on Morse. CHA is taking steps to evict him. Last hearing was October 24, 2008. O’Neil: Beat Facilitator of 2432 will notify when the next hearing is (February?).
• Sgt Delgado: August, one-man robbery spree on Sheridan, suspect arrested.

O’Neil: This year we celebrate the formation of three new block clubs, and opening of two RoPA, The Morse Theatre, and Century Public House.

II.    Police crime report. Index crimes were flat. Narcotics were the highest in the top ten crimes which is unusual for this beat..

III.    On-going issues: An update.
Citizen: Reminded us to stay aware of neighboring buildings that are abandoned or boarded up. Watch for signs of activity, forced entry, etc., and Call 911 if you see anything suspicious.

Monitoring children to-from school is in some cases, police assigned.

Sullivan High School. Citizen: 5-6 gang members, 11pm (November 1st & 6th) both had police response. Wolf-pack mentality. Citizen from Methodist Youth Services on Touhy. Student at Sullivan High School has been beat up twice. Sgt Delgado: Try to get the student to take different routes to/from home. Citizen: We need to strategize on diverting students from Gang recruitment. Hoffman: Contact the CAPS office at District 24 at (312) 744-6321 to get involved with programs to help students at Sullivan High School. Citizen: Why is it such a problem? Sgt Delgado: Sullivan High School has approx. 2000 students arriving/leaving at the same time each day which results in issues. Officers apprehend juveniles, takes 3 hours to complete the process, which takes the arresting officer off the street. Juvenile arrests attached to point system. Zero points for gang loitering.

IV.    Announcements

• Public Safety Town Hall Meeting at 7 pm Monday, Nov. 24, United Church of Rogers Park, 1545 W. Morse. Co-sponsored by State Rep. Harry Osterman, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, State Sen. Heather Steans and 24th District Police Cmdr. Steve Caluris.
• The next beat meeting will be Monday, January 12, 2009. Happy Holidays!

Beat 2431 once again reports fewest crimes for the year in 24th District; crime down in beat, district

Beat 2431 once again ranks as the safest beat (fewest crimes) in the 24th District for 2008, and is one of the safest beats in the city, according to year-end Chicago police crime stats.

In 2008, there were 967 total crimes in Beat 2431, 71 fewer crimes than the next closest Beat 2423 (1,038), the beat directly to the north of 2431. Beat 2413 (in the southwest corner of the 24th District) and Beat 2422 (centered around Howard near the lakefront) had the most crimes in the 24th District at 1772 and 1770, respectively.

The 967 total crimes in 2008 also is 40 crimes fewer than reported in 2007 (1,007).

Out of 281 police beats citywide, Beat 2431 was the 51st safest beat in the city -- 229 police beats in Chicago reported more index crimes in 2008 than Beat 2431.

Beat 2431 also had the fewest number of index crimes in the 24th District in 2008 at 321 -- 52 fewer than the next closest Beats 2423 and 2424 (373 each).

Beat 2431 saw an increase of 12 index crimes in 2008 over the total (309) in 2007.

Here's the total number of crimes and index crimes for the 24th District in 2008.

All crimes

24th District: 12,548 (267 fewer than in 2007) - Ranks 9 of 25 police districts citywide

24th District Beats, all crimes
2413: 1772 (1756 in 2007)
2422: 1770 (1803 in 2007)
2412: 1538 (1328 in 2007)
2433: 1526 (1621 in 2007)
2432: 1408 (1511 in 2007)
2411: 1347 (1385 in 2007)
2424: 1145 (1279 in 2007)
2423: 1038 (1115 in 2007)
2431: 967 (1007 in 2007) - Ranks 51 out of 281 beats citywide

Index crimes

24th District: 4727 total crimes (40 fewer than in 2007) - 6 of 25

24th District Beats, index crimes
2413: 712 (653 in 2007)
2433: 666 (704 in 2007)
2412: 606 (475 in 2007)
2422: 589 (594 in 2007)
2411: 578 (592 in 2007)
2432: 493 (559 in 2007)
2424: 373 (461 in 2007)
2423: 373 (418 in 2007)
2431: 321 (309 in 2007) - Ranks 30 out of 281 beats citywide