Beat 2431 News - Rogers Park 24th Police District

Mayne Stage -- former Morse Theatre -- to open in June

Mayne Stage, the beautiful music club at 1328 W. Morse formerly known as the Morse Theater, will open in June with live music acts.

From the press release:

It will be called Mayne Stage and will showcase national and local acts and provide rehearsal and recording space. It also said a restaurant called Act One Cafe will be on the property at 1328 W. Morse and will open in late May.

The Morse Theatre is owned by a business controlled by billionaire James Pritzker.

The is good news that can only help further stabilize the neighborhood.

March 2010 beat meeting notes: burglary task force, bad buildings team

A speaker from the city's Troubled Buildings Unit told attendees at the March Beat 2431 meeting how her team works on bad buildings throughout the city.

Sgt. Cassandra Bradshaw said the best way to improve a bad building is to involve the police and the owner. She said that unfortunately, sometimes the building owner doesn't know criminal activity may have taken over a building. That's why it's important for neighbors to watch for signs of trouble, such as open doorways, loitering outside the building, or constant traffic to a particular apartment. She urged those who see such signs to call her unit at 312-745-6231.

A local building manager warned of people loitering around a secure gate, trying to enter behind a tenant with a key. Also, citizens were warned about buzzing in someone you don't know.

About 25 people, including half a dozen officers, attended the March meeting. Police reported that the following were the Top 10 crimes on the beat in February 2010:

1. Criminal damage to vehicle -- 6
2. Theft from building -- 3
3. Criminal trespass to land -- 3
4. Armed robbery with a handgun -- 2
5. Strong-armed robbery, no weapon (mugging) -- 2
6. Domestic battery, simple -- 2
7. Simple assault -- 2
8. Theft, $300 and under -- 2
9. Narcotics, possession of cannabis, 30 grams or less -- 2
10. Criminal sexual assault (domestic-related) -- 1

Citizens discussed the four robberies. The police noted there were eight recent arrests in the area for robbery, and hoped those arrests would result in fewer future robberies. There was one robbery in January.

Police also noted that they are increasing patrols along the Red Line north of Thorndale after noticing a pattern of home burglaries near stations. They speculate that perpetrators are "commuting" to work on the Far North Side and using the Red Line as a convenient escape route.

CAPS Sgt. Joseph Delgado discussed way to stop burglaries. In particular, he asked citizens to watch out for people either parked or double-parked in cars, just looking around. He noted tips to watch for in the fliers "Eight things a burglar won't tell you" and "Thirteen things your burglar won't tell you."

A neighbor from the 1500 block of Pratt noted that the kids hanging out at Pratt and Bosworth lately seemed to be older and possibly better organized. Police suggested they might just look older, but are of high school age. Pat Kenny, beat facilitator with Beat 2432 directly to the south of 2431, said the new CHA manager of the scattered site housing at Pratt and Bosworth has been extremely responsive to beat concerns. She's installed new fencing, better lighting, and has a security car patrolling there. Kenny noted that community walks around that area had been successful in the past. He said he would inform Beat 2431 if walks are scheduled in the future.

Police said a traffic stop at Morse and Paulina resulted in the seizure of 122 grams of marijuana and the arrest of a man, who had rolled through the stop sign at the intersection.

Finally, a representative of 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore's office announced a community is scheduled for 7 pm Wednesday, March 24, at the United Church of Rogers Park to discuss the Morse Avenue streetscape project, scheduled to get under way this spring.

She also mentioned voting on the alderman's participatory budgeting project would take place at Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N. Clark St., from 9 am till 3 pm on Saturday, April 10.

The April beat meeting is scheduled for 7 pm Monday, April 19, at the Rogers Park Community Council, 1530 W. Morse.

Spring to-dos: Keep gutters and sewers clear; report graffiti

Gene Rehmert, a CAPS volunteer in Beat 2432, sent the following reminder to his friends in Beat 2432. Of course, this is true for all beats and neighborhoods. Thanks for sharing, Gene.

Now that spring is approaching, there are a couple of things we should be aware of that can help the community deal with Spring weather and activity.

In Spring, the precipitation changes from snow to rain. There are a few things we all can do to help the sewer system accommodate the water.

First, pick ups trash in the gutter and along the parkway that might block sewer grates.  Plastic shopping bags and flattened plastic soda bottles are particular problems.  I know many people thing that street cleaning is the responsibility of the city, but street sweepers are just starting up, and if the streets are flooded, it will be our problem first.

Second, when you park your car on the street in the evening, it is a good idea to take a second to see if any of your tires are standing on a sewer grate.  If there is a heavy rain and the grate is partially blocked by a tire, it will be easier for trash or leaves to block the remainder of the grate making it much less effective.  If your car happens to be over the grate, it is also on the low spot of the street, and most susceptible to flooding.

This item has to do with graffiti.  Spring is when the artistic urges of many come to the surface with a desire to decorate a garage, fence or street sign with paint or grease pencils.  Our neighborhood has been particularly hard hit this year with graffiti stretching all the way to Howard.  If you see graffiti, please take the time to report it to 311 or your local alderman's office.  The operator will want to know the address, the type of surface it is on, and approximately how high off the ground it is.  You do not have to leave your name when making this kind of report.  If your property is the target of the tagging, please get it cleaned off as soon as possible.  Graffiti has a way of attracting more graffiti if it is left displayed for long.

--Gene Rehmert

Notes for February 2010 Beat 2431 meeting

Under the threat of 12 inches of snow, about a dozen citizens attended the Feb. 8 Beat 2431 meeting. In addition, five police officers attended, including 24th District Cmdr. Michael Wick.

Police reported that the following were the Top 10 crimes on the beat in January 2010:

1. Domestic battery, simple -- 11
2. Criminal damage to vehicle -- 6; hint: don't leave valuable in your auto to tempt thieves
3. Simple battery -- 4
4. Simple assault -- 3
5. Theft over $300 -- 3
6. Motor vehicle theft -- 3
7. Possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis -- 3
8. Theft under $300 -- 2
9. Theft from building -- 2
10. Robbery with a handgun -- 1

Police noted that a man who lives on our beat was arrested in January and charged with robbery with a handgun, though not the crime noted above.

In January, there were 20 arrests made on the beat, and 360 district-wide. There were a total a 750 calls for service on the beat, compared to 11,302 district-wide. 

Sgt. John Delgado shared some tips on how not to become a victim. He reminded people to always beware of their surroundings, especially while talking on a cell phone or listening to an MP3 player. Try to walk in well-lit areas, walk in groups if possible, and avoid alleys.

A neighbor from the 1100 block of W. Morse reminded police that spring is just a couple of months away, and asked them to stay in front of the homeless problem. Homeless people often camp out in Loyola Park and intimidate park-goers, including children. He said the police and 49th Wark Ald. Joe Moore were both helpful in the fall in alleviating the problem.

The meeting ended with a reminder that meetings for the rest of the year will occur on the regular schedule -- the third Monday of the month. The next meeting is March 15. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.

EveryBlock has the latest crime news

This is just a reminder that EveryBlock.com has all the latest crime news about Beat 2431 or any area in the city.

Police camera installed at Greenview and Morse

A blinking blue light camera was installed this week on the light pole at the northwest corner of Morse and Greenview. At the November beat meeting, a resident in a building at that corner had reported witnessing drug dealing, and police made an arrest there in December.

Betsy Vandercook, the chief of staff for 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, wrote me earlier in the week that a camera was slated to be installed there "based on an analysis of emerging crime trends and intelligence."

Most residents support zoning change for bar/restaurant on Morse

About 35 residents from around Morse Avenue heard Alex Samardzija explain his plans to bring a bar/restaurant to the new commercial space at 1412 W. Morse. These plans would require a zoning change from B3-3 to C1 because there is another tavern within 400 feet. So 49th Ward Alderman hosted the community meeting to get feedback on the plans.

Judging from comments made, those in attendance overwhelmingly support the development and required zoning change. About 15 people spoke in favor of the bar/restaurant concept, while two neighbors opposed it.

Samardzija said the unnamed bar would be very similar to his other bar/restaurant in Lincoln Square at Damen and Grace called Xippo. The decor would be modern, seating about 50-60 people. He will serve a light fare -- paninis and salads priced from $5 to $10. He also expect to feature acoustic music. Samardzija sid his family has been in the bar and restaurant business in Chicago for 40 years. Alex himself is a real estate developer who has been working in the 49th Ward for about 10 years. He built the 16-unit mixed use development at 1412-14 W. Morse three years. It is now all rentals until the condo market turns around.

Here is a sampling of comments from the audience: "We need something like on Morse." - "We need sidewalk traffic on Morse and this will bring it." - "We can make our neighborhood safer by having more people spend their dollars here." One person described Xippo as having a "lovely, understated decor -- like out of Crate and Barrel II."

A person who opposed it said there are enough taverns in the area, and said she has seen problems with taverns in mixed-use buildings. Samardzija said there would be a a restaurant focus here rather than a bar focus. He wants the tavern license so he can keep food costs lower and serve liquor after the kitchen closes. Samardzija said he would employ 12-16 people.

Alderman Moore said folks could still comment on the zoning change via email or by calling his office at 773-338-5796.

Minutes from Jan. 11, 2010, beat meeting

About a dozen hardy Beat 2431 residents and business owners braved cold weather and heard good news that crime on the beat was down about 20% in 2009 compared to 2008.

Index crime (eight crime categories - homicide, criminal sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and battery, burglary, theft, car theft and arson) was down 19.4% in 2009 over 2008. Non-index crime was down 20.5%, and crime overall dropped 20.1% in 2009 compared to 2008. See this post for more details.

Police reported that the following were the Top 10 crimes on the beat in December 2009:

1. Domestic battery, simple -- 9
2. Simple battery -- 5
3. Simple assault -- 4
4. Burglary by orcible entry -- 4
5. Possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis -- 4
6. Criminal trespass to land -- 3
7. Possession of crack cocaine -- 3
8. Aggravated assault, dangerous weapon -- 2
9. Theft over $300 -- 2
10. Theft from building -- 2

There were 38 arrests in December. Police noted there were two arrests for robbery in the area. One person was arrested and charged with three robberies/muggings, while another juvenile was expected to be charged with up to 13 open robbery cases.

Some of the robberies occurred around the Lunt exit of the Morse El stop. And often, the perpetrators would target victims with iPhones. Police were hopeful these arrests would reduce the number of robberies in the area.

Cmdr. Michael Wick of the 24th District told attendees that a burglary bike mission team was working in the area.He also mentioned that an Area Three midnight Tactical Unit had begun operations. One mission was in response to a complaint at the November beat meeting from the owner of the Glenwood Bar about a patron being mugged. The team targeted the area and made an arrest for robbery.

Also, a narcotics arrest was made at Morse and Greenview after complaints of drug dealing at 6957 N. Greenview were made at the November beat meeting.

Bottom line: bring your crime problem to the beat meeting and police will give it top priority.

Two neighbors reported problems with drug dealing and general nuisance-making at 6812 N. Ashland. A resident noted there were almost 300 calls for service to that address in the last 18 months. It was suggested he work with Alderman Joe Moore and his office to arrange a meeting with the building owner, Willie Barker.

Under general announcements, we noted that the Morse Theater was due to reopen under new management and a new name: Mayne Stage and Act One Cafe.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm. The February meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 8, a 7 pm at 1530 W. Morse.

New Year's resolution: Update this blog frequently with beat and neighborhood news

A new year, and a new decade begin with a New Year's resolution to do a much better job on posting beat and neighborhood news here. It won't be difficult to improve, since the last post was late in January in 2009.

So that is my resolve. Post more.

-Kevin O'Neil, Beat 2431 facilitator

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.