Only 13 days into the new year, Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood saw its first murder victim shot in the alley of the 1600 block of West 33rd Street. This compares to 2023, when McKinley Park recorded no homicides, attendees learned at the Beat 912 community policing meeting on March 13, 2024.
No one is in custody for the January 13, 2024, homicide, and no motive has been identified, said Chicago Police Department Officer John Matich of the 9th District Community Policing Office.
Police reports note the victim as Candido Salinas, 28, who was shot in a drive-by around 7:15 p.m. as he was standing on the sidewalk.
The murder was one of four violent crimes to occur in the neighborhood during the two month period of January 10 through March 12, 2024, Matich said. Three robberies — two of them armed robberies — were also recorded during this period, he said.
Drag Racing and Burglaries
Neighbors also made 60 calls of shots fired and reported seeing 25 persons with guns during this period, Matich said. Drag racing in the neighborhood remains a problem, as 30 people called police about it.
A total of 68 property crimes were reported, including 11 burglaries. A majority of the burglaries during this time occurred between South Damen and South Ashland avenues and from South Archer Avenue to West 37th Street.
Public Safety Events
Vehicle thefts during the January to March 2024 reporting period numbered 18, mostly occurring between South Damen and South Western avenues, and from 32nd to 37th streets, Matich said.
Matich also announced two special police events:
- A Gun Turn-In Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Bishop Shepard Little Memorial Center, 5222 S. Halsted St., Chicago. This no-questions-asked event features exchange of any gun for a $100 Visa gift card, and exchange of any BB gun, air gun or replica gun for a $10 gift card.
- Vehicle Safety Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Pershing Mufflers and Brakes, 1932 W. Pershing Road, Chicago. This event features free etching and painting of catalytic converters to discourage theft, as well as free steering wheel locks.
At the community policing meeting, McKinley Park Supervisor Briana Soria noted that summer jobs are available at neighborhood parks for lifeguards, recreation leaders, special recreation leaders and junior laborers. Interested youths aged 16 and older can apply online at ChicagoParkDistrict.com/Summer-Jobs, she said.
Community policing meetings for Beat 912 are held every other month on the second Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago. The next Chicago Police Meeting for Beat 912 is scheduled for May 8, 2024.
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