Community Policing Group Returns for BBQ in McKinley Park

The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Beat 912 group returned to in-person gathering for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic at a BBQ on the evening of Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in Chicago's McKinley Park. The BBQ brought together community policing officers from the Chicago Police Department's 9th District, local elected officials and residents, many of whom had not seen fellow community members for over a year.

Community policing officer Jason Sollis greeted the group and provided information on incidents of neighborhood crime reported over the past month in the McKinley Park neighborhood. Also speaking at the BBQ were Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah, Cook County 7th District Commissioner Alma Anaya and 12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas.

Sollis lauded the relatively few incidents of crime in the June 9 to July 14, 2021, reporting period for a Chicago urban neighborhood like McKinley Park. "What you guys have going on here, it absolutely works," he said. "The numbers are always really good in McKinley Park."

One Assault, One Robbery

Cook County 7th District Commissioner Alma Anaya speaks at the CAPS Beat 912 BBQ on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in McKinley Park.Sollis said police recorded 1,477 calls for service in the reporting period, five reports of shots fired and 13 arrests. Police records show one aggravated assault incident taking place on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in the 1700 block of West 35th Street. This and a robbery shortly before midnight on Friday, June 9, in the 1800 block of West 35th Street were the only reported violent crimes, Sollis said.

In the robbery, the victim, a woman from outside the neighborhood, reported that she was parked on 35th Street "when three males jumped in the car, pointed handguns at her and demanded money and her cell phone," Sollis said. All the offenders were wearing blue masks, he reported.

Contaminated Burglary Scene

A fourth offender pulled up alongside the victim's car driving a white Nissan. The robbers then exited the victim's car, jumped in the Nissan and fled westbound on 35th Street, Sollis said.

Sollis also noted five motor vehicle thefts in the reporting period and a single residential burglary on Thursday, July 1, 2021, in the 3600 block of South Winchester Avenue. A break-in occurred through a rear door on a basement apartment, from which several items were stolen while the victim was not home, Sollis said.

Unfortunately, no evidence technician was ordered to the scene because it became contaminated when the victim entered the home, Sollis said. This and safety reasons are why burglary victims should always connect with police first before entering.

No Homicide Updates

12th Ward Alderman George Cardenas shares updates at the CAPS Beat 912 BBQ on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in McKinley Park."Let them check the property out and make sure it's clear," Sollis said. "To preserve evidence for us, and for your own safety, please call us first."

Sollis noted that although convictions based on burglars' fingerprints do not always happen quickly, "it eventually catches up to them," he said. "The fingerprints are extremely important."

When asked, Sollis said police had no new updates on the homicide of 13-year-old Eric Crawford on Sunday, May 17, 2021, in the 3700 block of South Wood Street.

Beat Facilitator Wanted

Sollis said that Beat 912 is seeking a volunteer beat facilitator to help run the monthly CAPS Beat 912 meetings and connect the police with the community on neighborhood crime issues. Sollis lauded former beat facilitator Glenn Young, in attendance and volunteering at the BBQ, for his and his wife's 26 years of service as beat facilitators.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a beat facilitator for CAPS Beat 912 should send email to Jason.Sollis@chicagopolice.org, Sollis said.

Beat meeting have continued online during the pandemic, with the next CAPS Beat 912 Meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, hopefully the last conducted via online video conference, Sollis said.

Sollis also invited the CAPS group and other community members to the 9th District's National Night Out event the evening of Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in the Chinatown neighborhood's Chinatown Square, 2133 S. China Place, Chicago.

Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah speaks at the CAPS Beat 912 BBQ on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in McKinley Park.