Excerpt from Reilly Reports 10/22/2021
We understand that recent crime and personal safety continue to be top-of-mind for many Chicago residents. Residents often ask what they can do to help the Chicago Police Department (CPD) improve public safety and for updates regarding Alderman Reilly’s efforts to reduce criminal activity.
Community Engagement Opportunities – Residents can assist CPD and their community improve public safety by doing the following:
Alderman Reilly’s Efforts to Improve Public Safety – Although Alderman Reilly does not have the authority to direct the CPD, his top priority is to leverage all available City resources to enhance public safety throughout the Downtown neighborhoods. Alderman Reilly consistently collaborates with CPD to identify and address hot-spot crime locations.
Since 2019, the Alderman has allocated portions of the Aldermanic Menu to fund the installation of the following:
The week of 10/18/22, Alderman Reilly convened a site survey with staff of relevant City Departments to review 15 potential locations for new cameras to be installed. He is committed to spending a large portion of the 2022 Aldermanic Menu Fund to install additional PODs and LPRs in the Downtown neighborhoods.
In addition to the Aldermanic Menu, Alderman Reilly uses his legislative powers to provide law enforcement with more tools to address crime and safety issues.
While CPD is on pace to take over 12,000 guns off the City’s streets this year, in many cases, guns involved in shootings around the City are legally purchased before illegally changing hands to be used for illicit activities and terrorizing the City’s communities.
Effective crime reduction strategies require an aligned system of justice – federal, state, and local agencies must develop a collaborative, cross-government approach to public safety to ensure the well-being of the City’s residents remains at the forefront of any and all public safety.
Alderman Reilly is pleased to report that he recently co-sponsored a City Council Resolution calling for a hearing to investigate how best to combat gun violence in the City and how to foster cooperation among agencies responsible for the apprehension and prosecution of criminal offenders (R2021-1128).
Again, please remember to call 9-1-1 in real-time if you witness criminal activity.
On Tuesday September 21, 2021, RNRA and Alderman Brendan Reilly co-hosted a webinar so that public safety officials could address residents and business owners about incidents of disruptive and unlawful activity in our community in recent months.
This public event featured the 18th District’s new Commander, Jon Hein, and Deputy Chief, Michael Barz. They responded to a series of summarized questions posed by RNRA Public Safety Committee Chair Joe Vietri on behalf of the more than 750 individuals who registered to participate in the webinar.
Please click on the link below to access a video recording of the webinar.
9-21-21 Public Safety Webinar Recording
The RNRA wishes to thank Alderman Reilly, Commander Hein and Deputy Chief Barz, as well as everyone who registered for the event and took the time to submit questions in advance. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will schedule future webinars as required to keep the neighborhood informed. In the meantime, please be aware of your surroundings, don’t hesitate to call 911, and attend your local Beat Meetings.
Stay safe and well,
River North Residents Association
info@rnrachicago.org
September 17, 2021
Dear Neighbors,
Throughout the day I have been discussing last night’s surge of car caravans with local police commanders and Superintendent David Brown. The 2nd Ward office has received a large number of concerns about the lack of police control over the roadways last night.
The danger of roadways being closed by celebratory traffic, and the impact that has for emergency vehicles, cannot be overstated. It was very difficult for police and emergency resources to move throughout the city last night. Due to major roadways an intersections being blocked, many emergency vehicles were not able to travel through neighborhood zones. This unplanned and unpermitted activity endangers residents experiencing health or safety emergencies.
I ask the greater Chicago community to refrain from joining any large car caravans in the downtown area and along major roadways this evening and this weekend. Please celebrate responsibly, and with respect for your fellow Chicago neighbors.
I will continue to share concerns, reports, and video submitted by 2nd Ward residents with the police command structure as they work to coordinate a city-wide crime and safety strategy, and will remain an advocate for consistent and adequate police coverage in our 2nd Ward neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
Alderman Brian Hopkins
2nd Ward
I continue to work closely with law enforcement professionals across the 2nd Ward on a number of public safety and street crime concerns. I regularly discuss patrols and special attentions with area District Commanders, including how I can help provide the tools they need to help monitor and maintain the 2nd Ward neighborhoods.
In addition to the three routine shifts that police patrol for the daytime and nighttime hours, the fourth watch of tactical officers is also available for coverage as needed. Some officers are assigned only to overnight hours in close proximity to entertainment districts, where late-night concerns can be more common. This past weekend saw several incidents which are still under investigation from areas around entertainment districts. Along with my staff, I continue to follow up on these investigations and discuss matters with area business leaders and stakeholders. Detectives are also working with area residents and businesses to gather substantial evidence, such as photos or video, which is essential for any prosecution.
After focusing my first 2nd Ward Safety Webinar on Gold Coast and Near North Safety, this past week featured a second 2nd Ward Safety Webinar on illegal motorcycles, vehicle noise and drag racing. Below is a segment of that online meeting where I discuss a residents concern about late night drag racing and large motorcycle gatherings.
For those who could not attend the 2nd Ward Safety Webinar on illegal motorcycles, vehicle noise and drag racing, please email Ward02@cityofchicago.org for a link to the full recording.
On Thursday, September 9, Alderman Reilly joined Anna Davlantes on WGN Radio to discuss the Chicago Police Department (CPD) increasing police presence in River North’s hospitality corridors, during the overnight hours. Please click here to listen to the interview.
Alderman Reilly was very pleased to see a visible increase in police foot and bike patrols throughout River North last weekend. CPD also reported that since September 1, 18th District officers made 10 arrests, recovered 5 illegal firearms, towed 76 vehicles, and completed 22 Investigatory Stop Reports in River North’s entertainment district.
Commander Hein has assured Alderman Reilly that this level of response will be the “new normal” until crime in River North is under control. The Alderman appreciates CPD’s hard work and is hopeful the sustained effort will make an immediate and significant impact to cure the area of criminal activity.
Additionally, Alderman Reilly is committed to leveraging all available City resources to enhance public safety. Mayor Lori Lightfoot will present her 2022 Budget Recommendations to the City Council on Friday, September 17. Alderman Reilly is eager to review the CPD budget, specifically the amount of money allocated to hiring new officers. He will be advocating that CPD hire hundreds of new officers to off-set the recent attrition of officers CPD has experienced.
Furthermore, it is no secret that morale among police officers is at an all-time low. Between mandatory over-time, cancelling days off, and reassigning officers to unfamiliar districts, their efforts are often not properly recognized. Alderman Reilly encourages residents to attend your local CAPS meeting to stay up to date on crime and safety issues, as well as develop a relationship with the beat cops who patrol their neighborhood – attend, and thank your local cops for their unwavering commitment to serve and protect.
A message from RNRA: We encourage all residents to attend their CAPS Beat Meetings.
To find your District and Beat, CLICK HERE.
To find the date/time for your Beat Meeting and the Zoom link, CLICK HERE.
