@CHIdocumenters All three councilors are here for a quorum. and now getting into Public comments right away. a Mr. Adam Burke has been called in.

@CHIdocumenters Last month he came to talk about armed robberies in the neighborhood. Says he emailed councilors, alderman and 14th district police.

@CHIdocumenters Mr. Burke has a data sheet talking about robberies, “We’re up 85 percent over 2021”
“two carloads of criminals in masks” committed 14 robberies in 90 minutes.

@CHIdocumenters Mr. Burke tells some scary details about these masked robbers and asks what this council will do about “this crisis”

@CHIdocumenters He seems to be upset with the council, and wants “specific plans and actions” to take place in the 14 district.

@CHIdocumenters “NOT a talkfest”

@CHIdocumenters A mr. Mark Heller is up now. Talking about about Lori Lightfoot’s appointments “She ordered and compleled swat” “to do nothing” for about a year in the neighborhood.
Has issue that this is diverted from public safety resources.

@CHIdocumenters Now we have a Ms. Lynn Basa(sp?)
question: How can we make ourselves safer?
“should I carry mace, should I carry a gun?”
Now it seems like people are being assaulted in 2 in the afternoon.

@CHIdocumenters Chair Christopher Laurent: do you mean what can you do legally? We have various pro/anti gun sentiments

@CHIdocumenters Orlikoff: I’m ready to talk about strategy with the commander (14th dis)
Me and Vargas were there.
Commander said a number of things. As of our meeting that CPD has a larger task force, and use of a helicopter.
personal aside from Orlikoff: had a decrease of carjackings.

@CHIdocumenters Its a task force that goes beyond the district, and most of the perpetrators are not from the area.

@CHIdocumenters Vargas: She also stated that a lot of the people arrested are Juveniles. there is a law against footchases so that’s why they’re getting a helicopter for this.

@CHIdocumenters Mr. Burke: I’m not surprised that they’re using juviniles. Adults use them, not just here but in other cities.

@CHIdocumenters Alison Schmidt: Did they give any response re: youth violence prevention?
She was walking her dog, and dogs barking scared a kid who then threatened to shoot the dog.
When she called 911, was referred to CAPS program.
Was told to file an assault report.

@CHIdocumenters report was kicked back since it was the dog (property) and not the person being threatened.
CAPS officer had to help to get it through.
“I’d really like to hear what the city is doing about youth crime prevention”

@CHIdocumenters Orlikoff: We had a state program called Ceasefire. We will be hearing from the director of the States Streets Program next month on this. Points out that there are no homicides.

@CHIdocumenters Ms. Schmidt is questioning this “What about the government” Orlikoff clarifies that these are more grass roots orgs funded by gov.

@CHIdocumenters Alderman of the 1st ward is here, Daniel La Spata

@CHIdocumenters La Spata: When you’re a juveniles arrested for a misdemeanor, we now have agencies to follow up with these people. Follow ups investigating personal and home lives.

@CHIdocumenters La Spata: City council will be investigating this october

@CHIdocumenters Vargas: Violence prevention programs work. PR pride weekend had 0 incidents this year
PRCC, as well as others that I will need to follow up on for spelling.

@CHIdocumenters Mr. Burke: To respond to Orlikoff, someone form the district should come to this group (meeting) to talk about what has worked, what hasn’t worked. “Let’s hear what they’re saying chapter and verse” to get exact details.

@CHIdocumenters Vargas: there is an ordinance that prevents CPD presence.
Burke seems to not be happy with this answer

@CHIdocumenters Vargas: there are other spaces where residents can ask these questions.
Orlikoff: This is not a CAPS meeting. This is not the first place you should come to to address your issues with ongoing investigations. Has asked Mr. Burke to stop interrupting.

@CHIdocumenters Orlikoff: There’s no reason to believe that this council has additional answers that you can’t get from CPD. Also has asked Burke to not define agenda for these meetings.

@CHIdocumenters Laurent: asked to talk to Burke Offline for an “amicable solution.

@CHIdocumenters Heller: http://CWBchicago.com suggestion “I learned in Jan, 2023” there was a carjacking at wrightwood and St. Louis. “That place has the highest density of police resources in the city” talking about the 6 swat officers.

@CHIdocumenters states from CWB article that carjackers were caught from highway cams. so nobody chased them

@CHIdocumenters Public comments over

@CHIdocumenters Orlikoff is speaking on some outreach orgs form CPD at Humboldt park library.
Additional activity: district councilors, 10 11, 12 ,13, 25, at lawndale Christian center(?) speaking on event “Is there such a thing to be arrested for driving while black?”

@CHIdocumenters Vargas: Working with COPA, an asylum seeker needs to give signature to keep a certain CPD sergeant accountable.

@CHIdocumenters Chair: COPA investigation regards to Sergeant intimidating migrants housed at CPD station.

@CHIdocumenters Orlikoff is now listing off beats meetings. Putting down schedule on table in the back for residents to take a look at

@CHIdocumenters Guest Speaker: Charlene Grace, here to talk about policy.

@CHIdocumenters Part of the policy team of the office of Cook COunty public defenders

@CHIdocumenters Essentially they’re here to talk about the no-bond act

@CHIdocumenters Grace: law will be going into effect Sept 2023

@CHIdocumenters Grace: The biggest thing that the law does is that it eliminates money bail.
It restructures decision making on who is in jail or not to await trial.

@CHIdocumenters “it happens in less than 3 percent of cases, that a person who is free will do additional harm.”

@CHIdocumenters Grace: what we had before was an irrational system, money bail has no evidence that it really works.
The reality is it actually makes things worse.

@CHIdocumenters Il. Supreme court has task force to look at bond money that state collected and to see if it goes back to people.

A majority of that money stayed with the state.

The poorest communities are hurt the most by this.

@CHIdocumenters Grace: we want the courts to intentionally make decisions at this point in the case.

@CHIdocumenters resident: what happens to the money?
Grace: Court keeps 10 percent.

@CHIdocumenters Grace: Court treats bond as a sort of “down payment” on other fees and charges. Very little of that money goes to restitution.

Schmidt: Does this mean that courts will be underfunded when law comes into effect?
Grace: State has had about a 2 year period to prepare for this. Springfield is still having active conversation on this.

Grace is now going over how historically cash bail was to prevent flight risks. These days people are more likely to skip court because missing a day of work has more severe consequences to them.

Grace: People lose jobs, stable housing, social standing if jailed due to not having enough money. If the person has children, DCFS can take away children.

Resident: Concern I have, Judges essential have their own fiefdom, and are human. What’s to stop judges to just send everyone to jail, especially if they’re prostate

Grace: That’s a good question. Court already had ability to deny people release. There are very clear legal standards that exist under the new law that will prevent this. The state must meet certain burdens. 40 percent of all felonies end in non-conviction.

Schmidt: are there any cost savings associated with passing this law? Prisons are money making operations, so are tax dollars being put to better use? are there any stats on this?

Grace: There is a hope that few people in lower level crimes will not be held, thus less money will be spent on jails. There are challenges on having less money spent on jails.

Orlikoff: Commander wanted to convey they want to collaborate with Council process and community, and will be happy to attend meeting if invited.

Chair Laurent: that brings back a question, do we actually invite police?

Resident suggests that other council will invite police interaction, and advertise it so those who are uncomfortable with police do not need to attend.

Orlikoff: we could have a specific section, not the entire meeting or we could have a special meeting. That would be at the 14th district station.

Another resident suggests the “Coffee with a cop program” for other residents can reach out

Another resident: The people who are the most afraid of the police are the people that need to be heard by this council the most. Councilors seem to be in agreement with this as well.

Orlikoff: People asked on how to be safe.
some tips, “we have to think about cause of crime. Police cannot prevent all crime.”
Police is a key component but not a solution.

Orlikoff: What’s really effective to be out in a space positively, that has dampening effect on crime (block club, etc)
Groups in high violence areas (moms against violence) may have pointers.
Commander is in support of restorative justice community courts.

Orlikoff: these courts take young people and divert them into services and programs that may get them out of crime. “It takes a village” mentality towards justice.

I’ve missed a whole lot of this last part but it seems like there is some airing of dirty laundry in regard to the hiring of an assistance, a ms. Salam Kennedy I think i heard. As one resident put it, it sounded like a lot of sausage making

Meeting concluded at 2:45. Chair Laurent even apologized to me for it going a little long (It’s no worries Mr. Chair.) Next Meeting is scheduled for Sept. 2 at the CPL Humboldt Park Branch. Thanks for following!