Police Strategic Plan Targets 9th District Gang War

Kids are afraid to walk to school in Chicago’s Back of the Yards and Gage Park neighborhoods, and residents are afraid to attend police beat meetings, according to the latest 9th District Strategic Plan: an annual document targeting top local police priorities.

The meeting of the 9th District Police Council on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Taylor-Lauridsen Park in Chicago’s Canaryville neighborhood brought together council members and the public to discuss public safety issues and announce the strategic plan’s release.

“Beat meetings are not well attended because citizens are afraid to be seen as snitching,” the plan stated. This and gang activity affecting students “has created a sense of loss and despair within the community.”

Satan Disciples vs. Latin Kings

Conflict between the Satan Disciples and the Latin Kings street gangs “is the primary reason for violence in this area,” the plan said, noting a pattern of drive-by shootings and ambushes conducted from hidden gangways, overgrown lots and abandoned buildings.

The large overlay on the map shows where 40 percent of 9th District shootings take place, with most in Beat 932, displayed in darker highlighting.Accordingly, preventing aggravated battery is the No. 1 priority of the 2026 strategic plan, said council Chairman Carlos Sanchez. Robberies are the second targeted crime priority, and thefts are the third.

Tactical Team Missions

Although overall aggravated batteries have fallen dramatically in the 9th District, the area between South Ashland and South Kedzie avenues from West 47th to West 55th streets remains a hot spot, the strategic plan said. Forty percent of all 9th District shootings occur in this area, most in Beat 932 between 2 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The answer will be tactical team missions led by veteran commanding officers, the plan said. “The main contributing factor to the 43 percent decrease in overall district shootings is because of the specific gangs/robbery suppression missions run in the district.”

Robberies No. 2

Community policing and troubled buildings officers will also target abandoned and derelict properties, the plan said. “Boarding up abandoned buildings will make it difficult for shooters to hide before and after shooting at their victims.”

Robberies are the plan’s No. 2 priority, even with a 46 percent annual decrease in the district from 2024 to 2025. However, robberies remain concentrated in the area between South Archer Avenue and West 47th Street from South Wentworth to South Halsted avenues.

Chinatown Challenges

The highlighted area of the map shows where robberies are concentrated in the Chicago Police Department's 9th District.“Chinatown makes up a large portion of the affected area,” the plan stated. Lots of tourists as targets, easy escape routes and language barriers create challenges for enforcement.

Police will conduct safety outreach and area walks to connect with residents and businesses, the plan said. Anti-robbery missions and beat patrols will focus on peak hours for robberies.

Low Risk, High Reward

Thefts are “a low-risk, high-reward crime for offenders” and is the third priority of the strategic plan. Many thefts remain crimes of opportunity, and others are targeted, such as catalytic converter thefts.

Police will increase presence during peak theft hours, including foot patrols to deter package thefts. Community policing officers will also provide alerts at beat meetings, the strategic plan said.

“Knowing your neighbors makes you safer,” said 9th District Council Member Erin Vogel.

Domestic Violence Resources

“Communication has been very helpful,” Sanchez said. “The presence of police in Brighton Park has been helpful.”

Domestic Violence Victim Specialist Jessica Recillas spoke at the council meeting about the resources available through the 9th District, and her availability to assist from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. 

Council Application Deadline

In particular, the 9th District can help connect victims with legal resources and housing via The Network, “the main hub for emergency shelter,” she said.

9th District Council Nominating Committee Member Denise McBroom noted the pending February 6, 2026, deadline for applying to be a council member of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Annual Crime Analysis

Although they had received 27 applications, only “one or two” met basic qualifications, she said.

McKinley Park News Correspondent Kevin O’Neil also presented his analysis of annual crime statistics at the meeting, showing a double-digit drop in McKinley Park neighborhood crime and the nearly 10 percent drop across the 9th District.

Truly Combat Crime

McBroom recommended residents get to know their local officers. “It all comes down to community,” she said, “the only way to truly combat crime.”

The next 9th District Council meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Brighton Park Community Center, 4830 S. Western Ave., Chicago.