Smoke out brings neighbors, police and offenders from Beats 1432-33 out in Pulaski Park area

A Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) joint "Smoke Out" (meeting) of Beats 1432 and 1433 at the corner of Bosworth and Blackhawk brought out a crowd of residents, many blue and white shirted Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers and a handful of known offenders, Thursday evening, Aug. 21, in the Pulaski Park area. 

According to Annie Swingen, co-organizer of the Bosworth BlockClub, the reason for this positive loitering* event was a series of muggings and shootings since summer began. [Particularly in pocket near Bosworth and Blackhawk and to the east by two blocks, according to CPD.] 

"One incident two weeks ago was where a neighbor was driving in her Escalade and someone shot twice into the car [with tinted windows] and there was a baby in the back seat. It was believed to be mistaken identity," she explained. "Then another neighbor was coming home at 3 a.m. He got out of a taxi, had his key in the door when two guys asked him for the time. He turned around and they put a gun to his head. They patted him down and took his cell phone and wallet. There have been other robberies too."  

Positive loitering event
The evening began with socializing of everyone present, eating hot dogs, provided by 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti, and potato salad from Kapra Fleming, who heads the Pulaski Park Neighborhood Association. 

Officer Gretchen Chavez, 14th District CAPS, said that her hopes for the evening were to get people who had not joined the block club to be out and for people to share their numbers for a phone tree. The tree provides a way to quickly feed information back and forth to each other. In addition this event was to give neighbors an opportunity to meet neighbors, Beat Officers and other police personnel.  

"That would be very positive," she said. "Also to get residents to understand how and why to call 911. We want everyone to know that it is great to talk with their neighbors, but they need to call us when an incident is happening or when they learn something happened. Letting us know a day or a week after the incident is not when to let us know."  

"It is always good to get the community involved," said 14th District Commander Frank Valadez, before the meeting began. "The big thing is, as long as residents know each other, they know who to look out for. Obviously they are here all the time. We help make the introduction that has not already been made and hopefully we go back to the old fashion way of doing things, where neighbors look out for neighbors. 

"Social media is an easy way to keep in touch with people but you lose that personal touch. It's easy to send a text from your house but this [the expanding crowd] is fantastic." He also said that they invited the known offenders standing on the opposite street corner to the event, but they chose not to join in.

Agenda
Leading off the agenda was a review of previously identified problems which were Gang Loitering and Shots Fired.

Crime statistics
For the period of June 19 to August 21, Chavez and Officer Janashley De Jesus reported on the top 10 crime stats in both beats, contact cards [stop someone for a field interview] and arrests. 

In 1432:
Arrests 27, Arrest Warrants 0, Contact Cards 43, Impact Arrests 13, Burglary Arrest 1, Warrant Arrest 3, DUI 8 

In 1433:
Arrests 32, Search Warrant 1, Contact Cards 71, Impact arrests 1, Murder Arrest 1, Misc Arrest 3, Prostitution Arrest 1 

One neighbor, 10-year resident Nicole Stratton, was particularly concerned about the number of robberies around Blackhawk and Cleaver by the park because it is on her path to the swimming pool with children. One of the officers assured her that that activity is occurring between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. While she was glad to hear that, she indicated that a more recent incident happened at noon. 

In a discussion about more patrols by the park, it was also suggested that the Chicago Park District Security be contacted to see if they can increase their patrols. Sergeant Joseph Giambrone commented that CPD does a check each night after the park closes to make sure people are cleared out. 

Call 911
Captain Buslik, 14th District, emphasized a statement by Chavez, encouraging people to call 911. "It is very important that we receive your calls, don't hesitate to call 911," he said. 

A few people indicated that they called 911 and were told that they should not call. One person said she was across the street from a neighbor who was being beaten up and the operator said that since she was not the victim, she couldn't make the report. Another person was told that seeing suspicious people that she thought were part of criminal activity at the same place earlier was not a reason to call 911. 

Responses from all the officers were to, "Ask for a supervisor!" Those taking the calls are not police officers, they are employees of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). 

What, where and how of reporting
Elizabeth Rios, CAPS Community Organizer, advised that the best procedure is when someone sees or hears something that they call a neighbor close to where they think it occurred, then call someone closer. "Then each person calls 911 and another neighbor, who calls 911. Everyone should give as much detail as they can. More calls works in getting faster response.

"Recording it on Facebook is good, but that does not get into the police records. If you learn about something you didn't see. Call the CAPS office [312.744.1261] and let us know." 

"We have a text phone tree and that has been working well. If you are not on it, let us know," said Swingen. "It is a better way to communicate then FaceBook at 2 a.m." 

"When should you call? Sometimes you have a feeling that something is not right, what do you do?" 

Chavez said, "Call 911 if there is a suspicious person. It is better to do that than to have it in your mind all day." 

Another concern was that criminals are listening on scanners and they know to where police are being dispatched and they scatter and know who called. If you have that concern, tell the 911 operator to make it a "Silent Dispatch."  Then that information does not go out on audio, the officer has to look at their computer screen. 

Response times
Several residents complained about response time. Time of day and day of the week can affect response times. Calls into 911 are prioritized based on crime. However, if there is not a response, call again and do not hesitate to ask for a supervisor, based on operator response or timeliness.

Chavez explained that, "If no one has been injured, police responders first go to find the offender based on the information given to 911. Then we go to the scene." 

It was emphasized that it is important to be observant. Get as many details of the person or persons involved and the incident. Then those details must be relayed in the 911 call. 

Giambrone, explained that that was how they were able to tie one of the three captured men in the Churchill incident to two other incidents. When citizens immediately call 911 about what they are seeing, each piece of information becomes like a piece in a puzzle, explained Giambrone. That makes it possible for the police to roll resources to apprehend the offender(s). 

He went on to explain that citizens and police working together in a timely fashion make a successful mix. 

Other questions and comments
One resident wanted to know if at some point there would be less crime when the area became more "Lincoln Parkish," which resulted in group laughter. Beat Facilitator Nancy Cass said that this area is becoming more affluent therefore that is where crime goes. 

In support of Cass' comment, compare stats from District 14 with Lincoln Park/Gold Coast 18. 

Cass also said that since the turnout for the meeting was so great, she was going to have the meeting for Beat 1433 changed to a location closer than St. Mary of the Angels Church. 

Comments after the meeting
The composition of the neighborhood has changed from primarily single-family homes to multi-unit buildings. As one long-time resident said, "Someone likened the stacked dwellings to filing cabinets with glass fronts. These neighbors tend to not engage and are not part of the community. That is different and produces a different atmosphere. It is better to be able to walk down the street, smile and say 'Hello' to people. You feel safer, like others have your back and you have theirs." 

The hope of Chavez to have many people at the meeting and have them meet their neighbors and engage was met and exceeded, "It was fantastic," she said. 

Tips

• Stay alert
• Do not walk down the street "engaged" with your cell phone, oblivious to your surroundings
• Do not leave you doors or car doors unlocked
• Do not leave valuables in your car…not even loose change
• DO report crime when it is happening
• DO report suspicious activity
• DO be observant and report details to 911 and officers
• DO contact CAPS office if you have information you think they should know…phone 312.744.1261
• DO form phone trees
• DO know your neighbors
• DO make calls to the police from a safe place
• DO put numbers on the back of your property (CAPS will furnish them FREE) 

Block Club organization
The Bosworth Block Club was organized three years ago by Swingen and Angela Wikgren. "I had my purse grabbed and was punched in the face," explained Wikgren. "Annie's husband came to my rescue." 

Their first meeting had over a hundred people and they had a lot of activity going until this last year. Normally they have a block club but didn't this year. "This {Thursday night] gives people a chance to meet each other and kids to run around a bit," said Wikgren.  

*Positive Loitering" is a policing technique were residents and police gather in a public place where there has been repeated criminal behavior. The message to the offenders is that they do NOT own the streets/area, residents and police do.