9th District Dedicates Officers to Community Policing

Two Chicago Police Department officers will now connect with and help lead all beats across the entirety of the 9th District for community policing programs and beat meetings, including the McKinley Park neighborhood’s Beat 912.

Officers Jacqueline Torres and Andre Rodriguez joined other 9th District personnel on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Beat 912 meeting for the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) to announce the officers’ sole focus on community policing.

Both are Chicago Police Department veterans, with Torres clocking nine years at the department before her turn to community policing.

Community Policing Focus

“I’m so excited,” she said about her new assignment.

9th District community policing personnel at the April 8 2026, CAPS meeting include, from left, Officer Carlos Aldana, District Coordination Officer Ramos, community policing officers Jacqueline Torres and Andre Rodriguez, and Adrian Cheung of the 9th District’s resource team.Rodriguez’s work in the Chicago Police Department has included work as a school resource officer. He noted how the pair’s new roles are dedicated to local community policing.

“We’ll just be focusing on this,” he said.

Orland Park Fugitive

Officer Carlos Aldana of the 9th District led the announcement of the new dedication of consistent community policing personnel and also provided updates on neighborhood crime and public safety since the last Beat 912 CAPS meeting on March 11, 2026.

Aldana noted the Chicago Police Department arrest of a fugitive chased by Orland Park police after a robbery in that suburb. The suspect hid in a tree on West 33rd Street until he broke cover and was then apprehended, Aldana said.

Turned Aggressive

Two arrests involving aggravated batteries of police officers took place after officers observed a fight on West 33rd Street, Aldana said. When police confronted the fighters, they “turned aggressive on the officers,” he said.

Chicago Police Department records note the arrests of Bayvon Martin and Lavar Archibald, both arrested around 2 a.m. on March 24, 2026, for charges that include aggravated battery of a police officer.

Not From Neighborhood

Another aggravated battery arrest involved a CTA employee, Aldana said.

In all of these arrests, the apprehended suspects were not residents of Beat 912, Aldana said. “None of them were from the neighborhood.”

Accident to Robbery

Beat 912 recorded three robberies in the past month, Aldana said, including a car accident that turned into a robbery when one of the involved drivers ended up stealing the other’s personal belongings and then their car.

The vehicle was later found near West 51st Street and South Ashland Avenue, Aldana said.

Rebel Shoots

A report of an aggravated assault with a gun in the 3500 block of South Wolcott Avenue stated that neighbors saw their allegedly gang-affiliated neighbor nicknamed “Rebel” step outside, fire a shot from a handgun at them and then go back inside, Aldana said.

Property crimes over the past month included three robberies — two strongarm and one with a gun — with two taking place inside the Chicago Park District’s McKinley Park, Aldana said.

Monthly Reporting Period

Two burglaries, five motor vehicle thefts and seven thefts were also among property crime occurring in the March 11 to April 7, 2026, reporting period, Aldana said.

During this time, the 9th District received 849 calls for service, 20 reports of shots fired and six reports of a person with a gun, Aldana said.

More Attendance

Other discussion at the CAPS meeting included ideas to drive more attendance, especially since Beat 912 regularly used to include dozens of residents at monthly meetings.

A cornerstone of effective CAPS and community policing is “strong collaboration between our officers and the community,” said 9th District Commander Joseph Mark.

Real Progress

“When residents are engaged and our officers are present, listening, and responsive, we see real progress in addressing concerns and improving public safety,” he said.

The next Chicago Police Meeting for Beat 912 is set for 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago.