Thank you Dog.Hotel | Daycare for sponsoring our October 2021 power wash at the Larrabee Dog Park and for donating the doggie waste bags for both our Larrabee and Ohio Place dog parks. Check out RNRA’s  My River North mobile app for a special discount from Dog.Hotel \ Daycare.  You can download the app Free from the App Store or Google Play.  

Consider Dog.Hotel |Daycare as you make your holiday plans!

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:

• Joining the Court Advocacy program. Court Advocates are volunteers who track court cases and attend judicial hearings for crimes that have occurred within their neighborhoods. Court advocacy is a way to show support for victims and solidarity against crime in your community. Please click here for information about Court Advocacy.
• Participate in your local CAPS meetings. CAPS meetings offer residents an opportunity to address crime and safety issues directly with the beat cops who patrol their neighborhood, as well as to provide ongoing feedback, which helps the police to monitor crime issues. Please make sure to confirm the details for upcoming meetings with your Police District’s CAPS office. To find your district and beat, please click here, and please review CAPS Personal Safety Tips to protect yourself.
• Most importantly, if you see something, say something. Calling 9-1-1 in real-time when criminal activity occurs is the most important thing anyone can do. Please click here for tips about calling 9-1-1.

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:

• $657,000 to fund the installation of Police Observation Cameras (PODs) and License Plate Readers (LPRs) in various locations throughout the 42nd Ward. These cameras have been instrumental in assisting CPD identify and arrest criminals.
• $1.7 million to fund lighting enhancements in the 42nd Ward.

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. 

CLICK HERE to register.  CLICK HERE to print a copy.

To print a copy, CLICK HERE.

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.

Please click here to watch.

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.