Public Safety Update
As many of you know, over the past several days, our community has experienced three incidents of gun violence on or near major thoroughfares in the Northcenter and West Lakeview communities. Earlier this week police responded to a shots fired call near the 4400 block of Lincoln Ave. They found a young man in a crashed car with a gunshot wound. The man fled on foot when approached by officers, and was later apprehended and transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition. Officers subsequently found a gun they believe the man tossed into a nearby yard, and the man is not currently cooperating with the investigation. If you have additional information, especially video footage, please contact Area 3 detectives at (312) 744-8261.
The 47 ward office and the 19th Police District will host a special CAPS meeting on Tuesday, October 12th at 6:30 PM, to provide information about public safety in our area and answer neighbors’ questions. Representatives from the 19th Police District, Area 3 Detectives, the State's Attorney's Office, and ALSO (a violence prevention organization that is currently supporting the Irving Park and Albany Park communities) plan to be in attendance. During the event, the 47th ward will be taking a combination of live and pre-selected questions. They are expecting a very high turnout for this event. In the interest of covering as many of your questions as possible, please submit any questions you have in advance here.
You can RSVP for this virtual event at bit.ly/publicsafety47. Please note that this event was previously scheduled for Thursday, October 14th, but in light of this most recent incident, the 47th ward office requested a sooner date and is grateful the 19th District was able to accommodate.
As of this week, the 19th District began ramping up traffic missions throughout Northcenter and Lakeview and will continue communicating with the 17th Police District and other nearby districts to share information and coordinate actions in response to these shootings. Special attention will be given to identifying cars that have been reported as stolen, in part using mobile license plate readers.
Additionally, below are safety tips you should keep in mind when out and about:
Always maintain your situational awareness. Know who is near and around you. Have a plan to remove yourself from any situation that could threaten your safety.
Do not allow yourself to become distracted by your cell phone or earbuds. Look up often to re-scan your surroundings.
Crimes often occur in transitional spaces, which include garages and any vehicle not in motion. Look around before approaching your parked vehicle. Scan the area before choosing a parking space. Use extra caution when entering or exiting your vehicle. Exit transitional spaces as quickly as possible. Do not linger in your vehicle. Always check your mirrors before exiting.
If you are not already in the habit of doing so, be certain to immediately lock your car doors as soon as you enter your vehicle. Locked doors buy you time and time buys you options.
If you park in a garage, always back in so that, if necessary, you can drive out quickly. Keep your engine running and in “Drive” until your overhead garage door is completely closed.
Be certain to turn off your engine and lock your car doors each time you exit your car – even if “just for a few seconds” -- be it at a gas station, convenience store, or your home. Thieves look for opportunities where you have dropped your guard. Don’t give them any.
Low-speed “bump & robs” are a tactic sometimes deployed by would-be thieves. Should your car be struck in a low-speed collision, assess your surroundings and do not lower your window or exit your vehicle if you feel your safety may be compromised. Instead, dial 911 and alert them of the incident, your location, and your destination. Signal to the other driver to follow you, then proceed directly to the nearest police station or populated public space with your hazard lights activated. If a passenger is with you, have them write down a description of the other vehicle and its license plate number and snap a photo of the vehicle and its driver/passengers.
Lastly, below are ways that you can help build a safer neighborhood and city:
Ask your local school how you can get involved in attendance initiatives. From our conversations with violence prevention organizations across the city in the last few months, we understand this uptick in gun violence is driven in large part by younger Chicagoans. Since the start of the pandemic, attendance numbers have dropped in CPS schools, and Chicago Public Schools continues to work to re-engage these students.
Consider donating to a local violence prevention organization like READI Chicago, Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), Alliance of Local Social Service Organizations (ALSO). ALSO specifically does work in the nearby Irving Park and Albany Park neighborhoods.
Attend an upcoming strategic meeting for your local police district. These meetings, which occur annually, are scheduled for later in October. Our police districts are seeking community feedback on their strategic plan, including regarding community policing. You can register for the upcoming 19th District meeting here.