After two years of impersonal police beat meetings held behind the squares of a Zoom window, residents and members of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) for CAPS Beat 912 met in person on March 9, 2022, at the McKinley Park field house. People shook hands. They shared neighborhood gossip. They sipped coffee. They ate donuts. Just like before times.
They also shared information about crime in McKinley Park and how to avoid being a victim.
Chicago Police Department 9th District Community Policing Officer Jason Sollis emphasized that sharing crime statistics was not the only reason for monthly beat meetings: He also asked participants to share any updates about the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Events
To that end, McKinley Park Supervisor Briana Soria announced a movie night in the auditorium. Another meeting-goer announced intent to return the popular fishing derby to the McKinley Park lagoon this year.
Attendees also heard about the St. Baldrick’s head-shaving fund-raiser sponsored by the 9th District and set for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at the William McKinley American Legion Post 231, 1956 W. 35th St., Chicago. This event will raise money to benefit childhood cancer research.
Crime Statistics
Still, the focus of the evening remained crime statistics, and Sollis related information for the period spanning February 9 to March 9, 2022. This included 1,535 calls for police service, 19 reports of shots fired and eight arrests.
Crime reports included two aggravated batteries, two aggravated assaults, one carjacking robbery, one burglary and three motor vehicle thefts, Sollis said.
One of the arrests occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2022, near 34th and Wood streets, Sollis said. Police stopped a car for a minor violation, and further investigation revealed an illegal firearm, which was confiscated, and the driver was arrested.
As detailed in the Notable Arrests listings of the McKinley Park News (a paid subscriber feature), a related arrest record was recorded for Isidro Meraz.
Another incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2022, in the 3700 block of South Hermitage Avenue, where a person in a truck fired shots at two people parked in a car, Sollis said. The two were treated for injuries.
Beat Facilitator Wanted
Sollis also spoke about the need for a facilitator for Beat 912, as the 9th District is looking for a volunteer to fill this role.
Duties include planning, organizing and running the monthly public beat meetings, attending the monthly District Advisory Council meetings and working closely with police on community interests and neighborhood needs, Sollis said.
Requirements for the position include basic computer and smartphone knowledge; excellent communications and teamwork skills across a wide swath of residents and officials; kindness, compassion and honesty; and the ability to motivate others, Sollis said.
Interested individuals should get in touch through Beat 912, including its upcoming meetings. The next CAPS Meeting for Beat 912 takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago.
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