The 2311 beat of CAPS held their second meeting of 2002 last Tuesday at Truman College. Residents were urged to take part in the Court Advocacy Program, in which people may sit in on court proceedings and show support for victims.
“(The court) pays more attention to the case when the community is present,” said Irma Perres, CAPS outreach coordinator.
Sergeant Phil Greco referred to the Court Advocacy Program as two-pronged. When serious crimes happen on the beat, the process is monitored. The program is also a way to see who are the chronic offenders.
Police made fifteen arrests for narcotics in January; two suspects were also arrested for the manufacture and delivery of narcotics. The drug most often used by offenders was marijuana, which accounted for twelve of the fifteen arrests.
The primary focus of police is the 4400-4800 stretch of Magnolia, as well as the Wilson and Leland corridor. Greco called the drug enforcement effort “time intensive,” as officers must spend many hours in these areas to monitor the narcotics trade.
Twenty-one arrests were made for public drinking, two of which led to additional charges for narcotics, while one solicitation arrest was made on Leland. As residents complained about the increasing amount of public drinking, Greco promised to “continually monitor the area where this is happening.” An application to the city for a crossing guard at Stockton Middle School was denied. Two city engineers were sent to monitor the intersection, and found they could not “justify having one there,” Greco said. Upon hearing of the denial, proactive residents quickly requested that a speed bump be put in near the school, which will also be subject to an application process through the city.
Police were also informed of cars that have been illegally speeding through the Sunnyside pedestrian mall at Magnolia. Sergeant Greco responded that two tickets have recently been written for that offense.
Another problem addressed was the issue of commuters who are being harassed by homeless people at the Wilson red line stop. As a response, Greco arranged to adjust the hours of a homeless car, which removes them from the area daily.
Three homeless people were arrested at the Wilson stop when they refused to leave, or returned to the stop. “This feedback is very important so we know where we need to be,” Greco said, thanking the residents for their advice.
Residents then broke up into groups to use the ‘crime triangle’ described at last month’s meeting by Mario Lopez, City of Chicago problem solving expert.
The triangle is a way to analyze crimes happening in a community by identifying three aspects: offender, victim and location. Once these are brought into light, similarities among various specific crimes are seen and these problems may then be solved. Residents decided the offenders, in most of the cases discussed, are mostly sellers and buyers of drugs. They urged police to make any drug deal in the area a class X felony, which requires mandatory jail time.
To avoid being victim to crime, Greco advised residents to show a physical presence, “which gives the impression that people live here.” Greco also informed everyone to make any 911 calls productive with clothing descriptions and license plate numbers. Crimes most frequently take place in alleys, play lots and anywhere that appears to be vacant. Residents are planning organized dog walks to show a community presence. For information on participating, go to beaconneighbors.org.
CAPS sponsors a visit to residents of the Brightview nursing home the last Monday of every month. For information on this, contact the beat 2311 office at (312) 744-0064.
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