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Current crime happenings and alerts.
Public Safety latest and trends: Violent crime, burglary, robbery, battery bulletins

 

This page brought to you by Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, its Community Safety focus, and HPKCC's website, www.hydepark.org. Join the Conference!

2005 personal violence and burglary spikes, and background increase, are presented here. (See also Scroll also Kenwood in News of Schools. Updates, analyses from HPKCC board and others : Community Safety. Note- for latest and patterns/analysis visit outside this website-http://hydeparkcrime.blogspot.com.
Early HPKCC and Block Clubs as a crime prevention community building strategy
Visit crime maps and news in 1537- http://1537news.com/1537Crime.php and http://1537news.com/Blotter.php.
And http://www.1537news.com/share/WardHomicide.php (past 360 days)
Visit safety-security.uchicago.edu.

HPKCC Returns to its Roots with a Workshop on Block Clubs
On Saturday, June 22 from 10 am to noon, join HPKCC members, the HPKCC WhistleSTOP/Safety Committee, and your neighbors at the Nichols Park Field House, 1355 E. 53rd St., for a workshop on forming block clubs, and crime-prevention techniques.
The workshop will be presented by CAPS community organizer Faleesa Square. Local police have also been invited to attend.
From the 1950's to the 1970's, HPKCC promoted the formation of some 60 block clubs in Hyde Park.
HPKCC initiated the WhistleSTOP program in 1972, and reinstituted it along with the University of Chicago Police in 1988. The Conference still sells whistles, and they will be available at this event.
Background- visit Why Block Clubs and Urban Renewal era Block Clubs and HPKCC.

Visit report on HPKCC's April 19, 2010 "Keeping YOU and Your Computer Safe" seminar.

Police District Merger page.

SEE NEW DISTRICT 002 BEAT BOUNDARIES AND NEW MEETING PLACES AND DATES PAGE.

Police brass came to the 4th Ward monthly meeting February 25, generally satisfying residents' concerns

 

New alerts, crimestopping events (Herald now carries the 21st District blotter)

June 22, Saturday, 10 am. HPKCC holds a forum with 2nd District police on forming block clubs and other crime prevention and alert measures. Faleesa Square, CAPS Community Organizer for the 2nd District, is lead presenter. Nichols fieldhouse gym, 1355 E. 53rd St.

June 19. It was confirmed that one of 3 reported missing persons in HP is the body of U of C student Austin Judson-Lapore, washed from the Lake about 39th St. He had been missing since the previous Wednesday. The others, teens said to be bi-polar remain missing.

A very serious assault and robbery by multiple men occurred Tuesday the 18th at approx. 55th and Cornell. Condtion is unknown.

 

At approximately 1:50 a.m., Saturday, May 25 – An unaffiliated man was shot multiple times by an unknown person or persons he had admitted into his apartment on 52nd Street between South Blackstone Avenue and South Harper Avenue.
At approximately 12:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 30 – An unaffiliated man was fatally shot by an unknown person in the hallway of an apartment building at 52ndStreet and Harper Avenue.
Although police believe both shootings were targeted incidents, it is important to take normal precautions.

May 7 there were "first warm day" incidents in East Hyde Park including the 5400 block of S. Cornell. Incidents happened various other nights and days starting April 30.
May 14 there were loud noises that turned out to be firecrackers rather than gunshots-- but some witnesses insist tehy were shots-in the north end of Jackson Park near Montgomery Place and 53rd/45th South Shore. Rival gang factions were said to be involved. Police response was quick and massive.
A major meeting with the 2nd and 3rd district commanders and residents was coincidently held the same evening by Ald. Hairston at her offices regarding patrol and responses on the lakefront- new strategies were revealed.
The new 2nd district commander, Terrance Williams led the May 16 CAPS meeting at the Neighborhood Club.
The buildings along South Shore Drive have formed a security committee and are preparing recommendations.

No new clues were reported as of May 8 in a murder in a building on the 5200 block of S. Harper. 312 746-6000 wih any info.

April 15. Another robbery, of two students on University at 56th at 5+ am. Perpetrator with handgun took wallets, cellphones and got into a vehicle.

911 is changing and will no longer dispatch an officer for non-life-or-danger-threatening or minor complaints. Such reports will now tbe made over the phone.

The senseless shooting, apparently by a gang faction member, into a crowd of good King Prep students at Harsh Park near 41st and Cottage Jan. 29, resulting in the murder of a 15 year old girl has brought safety and policing controversies to a boil. The mayor is moving more officers from desks into strategic teams (no, central, south) but the number retiring is outrunning hiring and training- and the number of patrol officers in the merged 2nd district has gone down significantly.
The city is trying to put 200 desk duty officers into street duty to increase saturation squads divided into 3 geographic sectors.

HPKCC in January 2013 is putting questions to Ald. Burns about the state of staffing and success in the new 002 district. One of our questions was answered at least in part by the shakeup in CAPS:
January 2013: Chief of Patrol Joe Patterson is now in charge of CAPS. The officers are being distributed from downtown to the districts where tehy are to revitalized the CAPS program tailored to the districts' needs. They are to deal with local problems, build relationships including via social media, and be held accountable with CompStat evaluation. In each district will have a CAPS sargeant and two officers plus a communityoragniozer adn access to youth service providers and area coordinator. Four citywide coordinators wil oversee for seniors, youth, domestic violence, and victim assistance. All police will be trained in CAPS strategy incuing "procedural justice and police legitimacy"- 2,500 officers and 400 recruits were said already trained. The present practice of using those on the shift on duty at CAPS beat meetings will continue.

Shocker? While police did not promise that merging district 21 into 2 in 2011 would not result in fewer patrols, the drop of 79 is more than double the drop or attrition in any other district, including 3rd and including the two others merged. Are there any effects, and where is the district on homicide and shootings, esp. Washington Park, which has had some bad ones lately.

Police are asking the public for information regarding the rape of a 14 year old girl on or near 52nd and Berkeley. The perpetrator was described as a 35-40 yo black male 6'3"-6'4", slim to medium, dark complexion. Black jacket with yellow stripes on the arms, blue jeans, black Nikes. Call 312 747-8380.

The UC Crime Lab, Chicago Police and Mayors Office, and Allstate have teamed up to target antiviolence stabilization in two nearby South Side neighborhoods. Release: http://www.allstatenewsroom.com/channels/News-Releases/releases/neighborhood-safety-initiative-to-pilot-in-two-chicago-communities.

October 17 four girls robbed and pistol whipped 2 UC students at 56th and Blackstone (time was not given in the news report). Bail was set for 3 at $100,000, who were charged as adults. The other was charged as a juvenile.

Late August 2012: Armed robber with a knife has accosted several persons on 47th Street, particularly at Lake Park and near Kenwood.

A Homicide occurred August 27 2:30 am in the 4900 block of S. Drexel. A young man, Stephin Williams was sitting in his car with a woman when 2 came up, attempted to rob and shot him multiple times. A man and a 17-year-old are in custody.

On the first anniversary of the July 16, 2011 murder of Tony McCoy, Jr. on the 1100 block of E. 47th St., the faith community of St. Sabina is offering a $5,000 reward. A street memorial continues. Anyone with any information about this particularly egregious crime please call the police or someone who can.

June 19, Tuesday, 6 pm. Public Safety meeting at Montgomery Place,Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) and 2nd Dist. Police Cmdr. Fred Waller (2nd District Police) focused on neighborhood safety/security at a meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Montgomery Place, 5550 S. Shore Dr. They will provide updates and seek feedback on actions taken since a May 29th meeting. Hairston said she has been in contact with the Chicago Park District regarding complaints about disturbances on its parking lot and land at 55th & S. Shore Dr. She also hopes to facilitate more coordination between city and University of Chicago police.
At this meeting police committed to shooing loiterers of the 5500 South Shore lot and the cul de sacs from 53rd south, monitoring to as late as 4:30, use of the bike patrols, and enforcement of the no-open-liquor law throughout East Hyde Park.
The Herald analysis of crime data May and early June said it was hard to draw conclusions from small numbers but crime seemed to be spread out over the neighborhood and robberies were generally north of 55th.

From Herald summary- Concern was expressed that incidents such as the shooting at 54th East View were not posted by the police. Police said that a dozen officers on bikes now patrol the area in additon to car lakefront patrol and "wolfpack" sweeps. Cdr. Fred Waller they want to have to manpower to be doing something- and get out of their cars. Joint mssions are also done with U of C Police. And they are clearing lots and culdesaces of perons who are not parking or leaving. Ald. Hairston did not place much confidence in security cameras-- help me, don't watch me after the fact. Other suggestions offered including opening other lots on the lakefront later and permit parking (which police said would give them an additional tool).

Crime is again in the forefront due to Memorial Weekend shootings (one injured) and unruly crowds on South Shore Drive 54th to 56th. At a meeting May 29 called by Ald. Hairston, Commander Waller outlined strategies for force in numbers (and on bikes) at crunch points on the lakefront, starting early to turn back crowds. Ald. Hairston will be meeting with buildings on these and related questions such as police diligence since the district merger and parcing of scarce parking.

Gang graffiti has popped up in the center of the neighborhood, especially at Bixler Playlot and south of 57th and Dorchester.

Police activity and shootings in East Hyde Park, spec. East View in the 5400 block of South Shore Dr. and in the 5500 block late evening Sunday May 27. This included firing through windows into homes and cars. Police response (911 and police handling of persons of interest was remarked by neighbors as poor (including non-dispersal of disorderly persons).
At a community meeting May 29 with Ald. Hairston and Cmdr. Waller, residents expressed specifics, frustrations, and ideas, although many said that more heat than light was shed. The department will be mobilizing in force through specific strategies along the lakefront over the next few days and weeks. Ald. Hairston will convene a meeting from condo et al boards in about two weeks and Cdr. Waller will report to a larger meeting in a few weeks.

Posted by Ald. Hairston to 5th Ward via EveryBlock May 30:

Leslie Hairston posted a new message to Ward 5:
Response To Holiday Shootings in 5th Ward
I want to thank those able to attend the safety & security meetings I called May 29 in South Shore and Hyde Park. I know it was on short notice, but shootings over the Memorial Day weekend deserved immediate attention.
A bullet killed a young man during a private party at 1700 E. 68th St. Random gunfire penetrated homes between 53rd and 55th Streets on S. Shore Dr. Regardless of where or why, we simply cannot tolerate any more violence.
Several factors continue to complicate the situation, especially near Promontory Point -- construction and the planting of wild grass that decrease lakefront recreational space from 31st - 63rd St., pushing more people further south; loss of University of Chicago police who patrolled when the Shoreland was occupied; fewer city officers and ever-changing law-enforcement leadership.
At the meetings, new 3rd Dist. Comdr. Lynette Helm told residents she had increased police presence from 71st St. north and Stony Island Ave. east. She said more officers would be added soon. Recently assigned 2nd Dist. Cmdr. Fred Waller promised immediate review of complaints. He plans to report back to the community shortly after mid-June.
In the meantime, I expect police to resume monitoring park activity and crowds throughout the evening, clearing grounds and beaches at 11:00 p.m. or sooner as necessary. I will also consider security cameras, permit parking and other constituent suggestions for tackling any barriers to enjoying the 5th Ward’s plentiful natural resources and summer-filled events. -- Leslie Hairston

So what happened? Several vollies of shots rang out between 53rd and 56th along South Shore Drive around and after 2 am July 28 as a culmination of a tail-gating party that occurs every hot day in summer, especially holiday weekends. Broken glass residue from heavy drinking appears to be a growing problem along and in the park. A young man had his skull grazed in he 1700 block of East 54th St. (Other areas of the lakefront and 5th ward neighborhoods were among widespread areas of the city experiencing trouble.) Police apparently did not attempt or were not in a position to disperse crowds or keep them dispersed after park closing time of 11 pm. During the 2 am hour vollies, bullets went through car windshields with persons in the cars, house windows even lodging by beds. Several at the May 29 meeting said 911 brushed them off, officers just drove by or did not get out of their cars.

May 29, just before that meeting three males robbed at gunpoint a man walking on the street. Arrests and recovery was made.
And on May 19 there was a lady pushed into an alley near campus (57th east of University) and fondled. The previous such incident was in January.

Update in the May 30 2012 Herald. According to an article by Sam Cholke, University police produce records showing decreasing or stable crime, according to Bob Mason, while noting that if anything happens close to one, it isn't safe to them. Crime is down 142% cv 1997, lowest beisng 194 incidents in 2010 with an uptick since. For example, all of 57th St. has had only 11 incidents this year, none violent. And alomst always, violent crimes (assault and battery) are inside crimes with the perpetrator known to the victim. Robberies of course tend to be out in the open-- but not on streets with good foot traffic. Crimes tend to perpetrated in the evening or night except burglaries. Robberies: there were 15 in HP January-April, and these did not involve weapons.

 

In December 2011 Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce announced a $75,000 grant from the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority for prevention and recovery education seminars and support to businesses and their employees throughout the community and preparation of materials for distribution, according to HPCC Executive Director Wallace Goode.

As of April 2012, Hyde Park-Kenwood crimes continued a gradual decline compared to previous year and historic levels. In general that was also true of the city except the horrific increase of homicides by 60% Jan-April 2012.

There continue to be incidents including shootings along 61st St.

Statement from Alderman William D. Burns regarding the proposed closure of the 21st District.

Ald. Burns and others had a great deal of skepticism and certainly wanted a voice in how the new beats are drawn and how the force of the two districts integrated or kept in place. On Nov. 30, 2011, Ald. Burns said in the Herald he now supports and seeks to make the change work.

"On Oct. 12 of this yer, Mauyor Rahm Emanuel announced his intention to consoledate three police districts to reduce the total number of police districts from thwnty-five to twenty-two. Included in the consolidation plan was the 21st Diostrict which serves the Hyded Park, Kenwood, North Kenwood-Oakland, Douglas and Gap communities. I initially expressed strong reservations regarding the proposal. In the weeks betweenthe mayor's budget address and final council action on the budget, four community meetings were held throughout the ward where the administration and the Chicago Police Department addresed the community on the consolidation plan. As a consequence of those meetings and the commitments made by the administration I decided to offer my support for the plan. These are the following commitments that have been made by the administration:

  1. The 21st District will be converted into a Park district field house for Dunbar Park.
  2. Management of tthe Chicago Police Department wil allow beat oficers and other CPD personnel who currently work in the 21st district to remain in the district - including CAPS beat officers.
  3. The consolidation of the two districts will result in the deployment of twenty additional police officers.
  4. The beats of the newly consolidated 2nd district will be realigned will more efficiently align police resources with people, crime, and public safety concerns.
  5. The Police Department will participate in additional community meetings as the consolidation moves forward next year.

Finally, I have confidence in Superintendent Garry McCarthy's strategies to reduce crime. The Superintendent has a proven track record from both New York City and New Jersey."

Another attempted mugging at 11 pm- 57th and Woodlawn March 11 2011. Interrupted by house residents.

Feb. 9- a Lab School student was assaulted and robbed by 5 males 5:30 pm at 57th and Dorchester.

Serious car break ins and thefts occur. Be careful late at night despite promised increased patrols.

The following is based on an article in the Nov. 29 Maroon and cites UCPD findings and analysis.
What's the pattern in HPK for 2011? Overall crime is down 2% over 2010 but violent crime up 4%. That's 181 crimes through Nov. 16. Still, violent crimes are down 21% from the most recent 5-year running average. 2010 was a record low with 194 total violent crimes. It seems to be largely muggings- many near or on campus that have spiked (plus six homicides, on the edges) but electronics and money thefts have dropped (from 68 to 41) and burglaries are down from 32 to 14 after an up-trend. (These latter two sets weres the most common crimes in 2010.) Bicycle thefts, quite common, have remained steady while damage to bicycles has dropped. Gang activity has increased on the north and southwest edges of UCPD patrol area outside of HPK. Some numbers: theft from motor vehicle 14 (2011) v 15 (2010), theft of wallet-laptop-phone 41 v 68, bufglary 14 v 32, theft of bikes 23 v 21, armed robbery 6 v 3.

New Curfew Ordinance- Starting September 18th, the new curfew ordinance will go into effect. Kids younger than 12 will have to be home by 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The curfew for 12 to 16-year-olds will remain 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

UC warns of street robberies. Since July 26 55th to 57th, Woodlawn to Dorchester.
August 3, Wednesday, 6:30 pm. CAPS 21st District, and UC Police hold a roll call (and possibly refreshments) at Bixler Park, 57th and Kenwood, in light of a rash of robberies partic. after midnight.

A team of robbers commiting an act by 57th and Woodlawn broad daylight Nov. 28 were arrested Nov. 29 for trying it again. UC issued an alert.

Note- three people suspected in November 28-30 robberies were taken into custody. a suspectg was also arrested for a strsign of armed robbersies October 9 and 10.

On the July 16, 2011 homicide at 47th and Woodlawn.

July 16, 2011. A man was shot and reportedly seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a possibly gang-related attack in the Kenwood neighborhood on the South Side. The person died, making it likely the first homicide this year in Hyde Park-Kenwood.At 1:13 p.m. someone shot the 20-year-old man in the 4700 block of South Woodlawn Avenue, according to police News Affairs Officer Veejay Zala.Police said the victim’s condition was serious, but hospital information was not immediately available. Police said that area has been fraught with gang conflicts for the last three or four months, and there is a threat of retaliation after Saturday’s attack. A Prairie District police lieutenant said officers remained on the scene as of 1:30 p.m. Link to original WLS980 and Sun-Times http://www.wlsam.com/Article.asp?id=2238627&spid= http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/16/shots-fired-in-kenwood-hit-seriously-wound-man/.
The locale is right within 1/2 mile of KAM Isaiah Israel and President Obamas' home.

Herald coverage July 27, 2011. By Sam Cholke and Mark McGraw

The afternoon shooting death of a 20-year-old man on July 16 has shaken Kenwood residents . It was a highly visible act of violence in the normally safe neighborhood, and residents searched for an appropriate reaction during the following week.

At 1:15 p.m., Tony McCoy was killed in a drive-by shooting in the driveway to his mother's apartment building in the 1100 block of East 47th Street. Many in the neighborhood knew about the Saturday afternoon crime before media descended on the scene. "That death smell, the fresh blood, I almost got sick," sid Larry Lawson after a July 19 meeting with police at his 4829 S. Cottage Grove apartment building. "It's been troubling me ever since the incident." Lawson said he visited the scene between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. July 16 and described drivers stopping along East 47th street to watch detectives collect forensic evidence around McCoy's body, his seven-foot frame partially draped with a sheet.

At the same meeting, Ald. will Burns (4th) described coming across the scene within minutes of teh shooting on his way to 47th Street. "The same risks that you live with are the risks that I live with," Burns told the more than 50 people gathered for the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting. "The idea that someone can be gunned down in our community in broad daylight is unconscionable. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened."

There have been eight violent incidents in the neighborhood this summer that police attribute to gangs. "It has been quiet for a while-- a month at least," 21st District Police Commander Richard Elmer said at the CAPS meeting.

Police are considering McCoy's death gang related. The victim "was a known gang banger," Elmer said, "He was very active in teh gang."

Family members have denied that McCoy as involved with any gangs. "My son wasn't a gang banger and I don't appreciate him being characterized like that," said McCoy's mother, Ms. Cole, who arrived at the CAPS meeting shortly after Elmer's comments. "All our boys are not gang bangers," she said. adding that she thought it was a case of mistaken identity. McCoy's father, Tony McCoy Sr., who is well known in Kenwood adn Hyde Park for organizing basketball tournaments [and is Kenwood Park Supervisor], told the Sun-times that his kid was not involved with gangs.

"I personally feel it was somewhat irrelevant to bring it up at the CAPS meeting," said state Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-13), who was also at the meting and is a longtime friend of Tony McCoy Sr. "That does not lessen the value of his live. The impression I get is it was put out there to allay the fears of the community." Raoul warned that encounters with gang members is not synonymous with an affiliation. "I played basketball growing up. yeah, I played with gang members," Raoul said. "Its' inevitable if you play basketball,." Raoul said he did not personally know the younger McCoy, but praised the father's work at organizing violence prevention activities and basketball tournaments. McCoy, like his father, was a basketball player adn played pick-up games at many of the courts in Kenwood.

McCoy's mother described her only child as studious and ambitious, saying she hoped he would attend Harvard University. McCoy was set to attend Parkland College, a community college in Champaign that many students attend before transferring to the University of Illinois.

A memorial has been erected near the site of the shooting. Neighbors have written messages of mourning and notes of encouragement to the parents. there was a brief disagreement at the CAPS meeting over whether the display sent the wrong signal, glorifying gang membership rather than mourning the victim. Neighbors complained about empty liquor bottles being left on the sidewalk at the memorial. No bottles were present on July 20, but a tequila bottle was left among the stuffed animals on July 21. The handwritten messages all expressed sympathy for the parents' loss.

Police consider the incident gang related, but the neighborhood seems unsure still. Gangs in the neighborhood are often no more than 10 to 15 members and most are based west of Cottage Grove Avenue, according to police.

Kenwood experienced two other homicides this year. There were no homicides in the neighborhood in 2010. Ismail Robinson, 22, was shot and killed in the 5000 block of south Drexel Avenue on April 30. Quintin Turner, 18, was shot and killed in the 800 block of East 46th Street on April 8. A 20-year-old and a 17-year-old also sustained gunshot wounds in what police called a gang related incident.

Gang members no longer publicly display their allegiances through gang colors or other signifiers according to Reginald Weatherly, a tactical officer in the 21st district. "Now it's white T-shirts and blue jeans,," said Commander Elmer. "You call it in and we go there and there are 10 guys dressed like that." Police said they have identified the two groups involved, at a July 21 meeting of the Chicago Police Board that attracted about 100 people. Nearly the entire audience was there to discuss the Kenwood shooting and the board adjourned it official business early to take comments from the audience. "These are criminals we're protecting," said Ken Speller, who came up from his Chatham home for the meeting because of his childhood connection to Hyde Park and Kenwood. "I say 'we' because we're all one degree away from them." At the meeting, police said they were making progress on cases stemming from recent violent incidents. "We do have a handle on this, we have several individuals identified," said First Deputy Superintendent Alfonza Wysinger.


Chicago Tribune August 3 2011. Slayings provide Kenwood Residents. Gunfire called 'rare' by citizens near Obama's Chicago home. By Serna Maria Aniels and Jeremy Gorner.

The article describes the Chicago Police Board meeting at which 150 residents showed up (rare for the Police Board, which finished its regular business early). Concern was expressed about 4 homicides in three months (and more at a larger distance). Police Board member and Kenwood resident Ghian Foreman grew emotional and said he did not want his daughter to grow up immune to the sound of gunshots. There were three homicides in 2008 and 2009 combined and none in 2010 in the area.

The Police no. 2 official al Wysinger blamed the outbreak on two gangs on the make, Young Money and 46 Terror Town, but residents were highly skeptical about a connection of the most recent victim to gangs, citing evidence. Many of the attendees were said to openly scoff at several responses by police and said to want a plan of action.

The article described the anti-violence work of the most recent victim's father, Anthony McCoy, Sr.

 

Alderman Burns e-mailed + as in July 27 2011 Herald:

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, there was a tragic incident this past Saturday afternoon in Kenwood. A young man, Tony McCoy Jr. was gunned down on 47th Street between Woodlawn and Greenwood. The crime was as jarring and traumatic event for the entire community. I have requested additional police presence - both from the Chicago Police Department and the University of Chicago Police - in the Kenwood-Oakland area. We must all work together to put an end to the senseless violence. If anyone has any information regarding the shooting, please report it to the police immediately.

My thoughts and prayers are with the McCoy family, and I am deeply saddened for their loss.

In response to this crime the officers of the 21st District and the University of Chicago Police Department held a roll call at the same corner Tuesday evening. Roll calls, in and of themselves, will not bring the perpetrators to justice, but they send a powerful signal that law enforcement and community members are opposed to crime and violence.

Later that evening, Commander Richard Elmer of the Chicago Police Department and Commander Michael Owens of the University of Chicago Police Department attended the CAPS beat meeting to respond to community concerns about the shooting and to share ideas to reduce crime and violence in our community. I greatly appreciate their participation in Tuesday’s meeting.

On the afternoon of the shooting, I contacted the Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department to request additional manpower for the 21st and 2nd District to aggressively investigate this crime.

The good news is that our ward has more officers walking the beat and patrolling the streets. As Mayor Rahm Emanuel increases manpower in the Department I will continue to advocate for additional resources for our community.

I am working closely with the appropriate city agencies to trim trees and repair street lights - two strategies that will make our community safer.

Wednesday I met with law enforcement and building managers in Kenwood to deepen cooperation and coordination and to reiterate my strong support for aggressive enforcement of leases to ensure that apartment buildings do not become bases for criminal activity.

But, as residents of the community there are things that we can do to enhance public safety. We should participate in CAPS meetings to share information with the beat officers. When we call 911 we must provide as much information as possible about criminal activity.

The University of Chicago Police Department patrols much of the ward, and I encourage you to call UCPD at 773.702.8181 to report criminal activity. For those who are concerned about sharing information with police, anonymous information can always be sent to my office and we can pass it along to law enforcement.

The 4th Ward has changed dramatically since the early 1990s. We are working to build and sustain a diverse and vibrant community. As we work together to build retail developments on 53rd Street and 47th Street, as we repair our streets, sidewalks and lights, and as we grapple together to address's crime and violence -- I see the community that I wanted to be a part of when my wife and I bought our home here nearly a decade ago.

______________________

A traffic accident resulted in one dead and two severely injured Thursday evening July 21- attempted turn from Cornell Dr. onto Midway Plaisance - control lost and crashed into tree.

The Police Blotter for the 21st District for the week of June 30-July 9 was VERY full, and so was the next.

The University of Chicago
July 6, 2011

Security Alert

8:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 6 –

In the alley between Woodlawn and Kimbark just south of 57th Street – A University student walking south in the alley was approached by two unknown males who got out of an older model white car. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded his property. One suspect searched the victim and took cash and a cell phone from his pockets while the other suspect took his back pack. The suspects fled south in the alley. The victim was not injured.

Shooting in overcrowded mob seen at 57th near LSD Memorial Day. Changes in police deployment played a role in enabling police to beef up lakefront patrol this summer 2011. For example, 5 sergeants and 40 officers were added to the 3rd District.

Assaults - robberies continue in the vicinity of 47th Cottage Grove and adjoining north-south streets around and north of Cottage Grove and 61st south.

Ald. Newsome on the violence in the north sector. Almost all are targeted and gang related. Many have fanned false rumors. Citizens have to report, even when their relatives and friends are the perpetrators, she said. Building owners have to stop turning a deaf ear about their tenants or openly abetting, an neighbors have to pressure them and also not abandon the streets to the criminals.

January 2011. Armed robberies between 47th and 55th, Drexel to Dorchester.

In spring of 2011 there has been a spike of violence in the neighborhoods north of 47th, both sides of Cottage Grove. Clergy and block clubs are considering ways to give youth worthwhile ways to spend their time.

_______________________________

Rudy Nimocks trades in Police duties for directorship of community partnerships. Marlon Lynch assumes UCPD directorship/chiefdom under Public Safety and Security

As a part of these ongoing changes, Robert Mason moves from being exec. dir. of South East Chicago Commission into a new section of University Police that tracks and analyzes crime patterns on the mid South Side. The University has taken over the Medical Center security force. The new Communications Center opens in this fall.

More in University News releases.

Chicago Maroon, May 8 2009. By Asher Klein

Rudy Nimocks, chief of the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) for the past 20 years, stepped down today to fill his new role as the first director of community partnerships. the appointment was announced by Ann Marie Lipinski, vice president for civic engagement, in an e-mail to the University community Thursday.

Marlon Lynch, associate vice president for safety and security in Lipinski's office, took up the position of chief of the University of Chicago Police as part of his duties, which also include coordinating operations between UCPD, transportation and parking, and security services. Lynch said he feels comfortable in both roles because he served a similar position at Vanderbilt University, where he worked until February of this year, and because he has a background in municipal and campus law enforcement. "I'm looking forward to it," Lynch said. "I'm excited to utilize Rudy Nimocks as a resource and to get started."

Nimocks explained his duties as director of community partnerships are similar to a role he had to play as chief of police. "I think community outreach is part and parcel of our contemporary law enforcement scene," he said.

Nimocks is active in a number of Hyde Park institutions, sitting on the steering committee for the New Communities Program in Woodlawn and the board of Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Organization. He was the last chair of the board of Blue Gargoyle, a non-profit that ran family literacy programs adn provided job counseling before it closed due to financial constraints last month. "The people that are engaged in community leadership or who are community leaders are people that I know well, and I'm excited to get to work with them more," Nimocks said.

Lynch, in his new role, has already started work on mitigating a recent rash of shootings south of the Midway. "The Chicago Police department has actually allocated additional staff to work in the areas," Lynch said. "UCPD is an active member of the task force that has been specifically activated with the violence that has been going on in Woodlawn."

Nimocks, who spent 33 years in the city police department before becoming the UCPD chief, remarked on what he was proudest of accomplishing at the University. "I've made a significant contribution toward professionalizing the UPCD," he said. "We have a sterling reputation with the Chicago Police Department and a terrific collaborative relationship with them, notwithstanding the reputation we have with the community we serve." That reputation is based in part on falling crime numbers, including a drop of 36 percent last year, "an extraordinary achievement anywhere in this country," Nimocks said.

Having lived in Woodlawn since 1952, Nimocks developed close ties to the area, as a resident as well as a law enforcement officer. "Hyde Park is a unique neighborhood, to say the least, and there are some nuances that you have to learn about [as chief of police]," Nimocks said. He added that Hyde Parker are more active in policing than those of any other neighborhood. "We wil find that as [Lynch] goes along, he's a bright young man and I'm sure he's up to the task."

While Nimocks did not impart any advice on his successor, he did reiterate the importance of connecting to the community. "If you can involve a law enforcement official [ in community outreach], it definitely gives him a better insight into the things that are being done, can be done, and gives him a better vision of how a police agency can fit in and make a meaningful contribution to the community," Nimocks said.


Maroon January 9, 2009- Despite rise in Chicago crime, area statistics show improvement. By Asher Klein

Crime is down in Hyde Park and Kenwood for the second year in a row even as it increased throughout Chicago, according to statistics gathered by the Universality of Chicago Police (UCPD). The UCPD's preliminary numbers indicate that there was a 22-percent decrease in violent crime from 2007, itself a low-crime year. The UCPD patrol an area from 47th Street to East 61st Street and from Cottage Grove Avenue to the lake. [Actually 39th to 64th, Cottage Grove to Jackson and Burnham Parks].

These number are echoed in other reports, including those of the Chicago Police Department and the South east Chicago Commission (SECC), and organization dedicated to tacking crime in the area. "We have seen a dramatic drop in the numbers, exceptionally low," said Bob Richards of the SECC. The organization's website [http://www.hydeparkchicago.org] indicates that by the end of 2007, total crime was down 31%. Richards anticipates that the 2008 numbers will show a continuation of the trend. "Obviously, we're not getting the criminal activity out on the street, and we're not seeing the aggravated batteries," he said.

Robert Mason, a UCPD spokesman, said that the UCPD played "a significant role" in the decreases in crime. Mason cited last year's death of graduate student Amadou Cisse as a turning point for the University's investment in security. "This past year, the initiatives taken to protect students, faculty, and staff with SafeRide vans added to bus routes and with University police department, we've added eight new people... unarmed police officers that patrol the streets."

Richards did not credit any one factor as being integral to the drop in crime. "The police have diligently been out there, the bad weather and all sorts of things [could also have affected crime]," he said.

UC in January 2009 picks vice president and director for new Safety and Transportation Department

The following was also announced to the board of HPKCC by Vice President Anne-Marie Lipinski and sent out in a general email.
Chicago Maroon, January 9, 2009. B y Michael Lipkin

Vanderbilt University chief of police Marlon Lynch will head a newly created U of C department to coordinate the University's police and transportation services, starting February 2. Vice President for Civic Engagement Anne-Marie Lipinski, who announced the hire in an e-mail to the community yesterday, will oversee the new Safety and Security Department. Lynch will supervise the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) and Campus transportation and Parking services, and will look for ways to streamline administrative organization between the two. He wil also be responsible for enhancing the capabilities of the UCPD through advanced training and new technologies. Lynch and Lipinski were unavailable for comment.

The department was created in response to recommendations by the Campus Safety and Security Committee, itself created soon after graduate student Amadou Cisse was murdered last fall. The search to fill Lynch's position has been ongoing since last May. "We did a national search and from that search we had over 120 applicants for the position," Associate Vice President for Civic Engagement Sonya Malunda said. "Marlon really jumped out because of his poise, his communication skills, his previous work in both law enforcement and transportation, his ability to bring a diverse set of operations under one unit, and his ability to be a great team player."

The administration convened a five-student committee to help interview the final three candidates last quarter. Lynch, a native Chicagoan, impressed committee member and fourth-year College Council representative Kati Proctor. "I was looking for the candidates' willingness to work with students when they were concocting new policies because they're in charge of so many things that affect student," she said. "They were all proactive, but [Lynch] knows the beat of Chicago, knows what it's like here.

Faced with a field of compelling candidates, the student committee was not unanimously in favor of Lynch. One student committee member said he recommended the University choose Dexter Yarbrough, chief of police at Colorado State University. "[Yarbrough] had a plan to get the community more involved in the surrounding neighborhood where the crime comes from. He had a good understanding of the crime problem here," second-year Ian Chase said. "But I can see why the University hired [Lynch]. They were both good at communicating with the students."

Lynch began his career in 1993 as a police officer in Okemos, MI. He soon served in a series of command positions in several southern university police departments, including the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Southern Methodist University, and Vanderbilt.

Lynch has both a bachelor's and a master's degree in criminal justice, and is a graduate of the FBI national academy and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He is also an associated at Margolis Healy and associates, a campus safety consulting firm.

Parents note: at the end of June, 2006 City Council passed a new curfew law, effective immediately. Parents as well as children can be fined and arrested if kids are out on the street unaccompanied by an adult or on way to/from work or an adult supervised activity after 10:30 pm on weekdays, 11:30 on weekends. At least one squad car is being assigned per district.

HPKCC WhisleStop Committee sells whistles with information at Hyde Park Coop near customer service 2nd Saturdays 11-2. (The whistles are always available at the customer service desk.)

 

   1975 2006
 Murder 11 2
 Agg. crim. sex. assault  51  6
Robbery 546 205 (down 62%
Vehicle Theft 578 245

 

South East Chicago Commission stats show significant decline in violent crime in H P area.

Based on March 1, 2007 U of C Chronicle, by Sabrina L. Miller

Crime was lower in 2006 than 2005 in 4 of 6 categories, robbery having the lowest since statistics began in 1975. Robberies dropped 29 percent from a spike year, 2005, but more significantly was down 40 percent from 1996. Burglaries were up, but overall property crime down 14 percent for the year. Overall violent crime was down 43 percent from 10 years earlier, 1996. Crime was higher around the U of C campus, resulting in more police patrols, outreach and a study of area lighting. The UC patrol force is 140.

Crime statistics for Hyde Park-South Kenwood

Category   1975 1996 2005 2006 75-06 96-06 05-06
Violent Murder 11 6 4 2 -82 -67 -50
" Agg Crim Sex A 51 29 6 6 -88 -79 0%
" Robbery 546 336 287 205 -62 -39 -29
" Agg Batt Asslt NA 152 100 85 NA -44 -15
" Total NA 523 397 298 NA -43 -25
Sel Prop Burglary 784 457 386 433 -45 -5 +12
" Motor Veh th 578 662 276 245 -58 -63 -11

The Chicago Police Office of Crime Prevention offers seminars around the neighborhoods. One technique is to ask ex-burglars to advise on preventing burglaries. Tips include varying daily routines, going out and returning. Use a layered security system so it takes the burglar too long or noise calls attention. Teach your kids not to tell what you have in your home. Initial your property so you can prove 1) that it's yours, 2) that it was stolen. Keep a full inventory of your property and take out insurance. If you find your home or burglarized go out and call police--don't confuse the issue with your own prints! To get started you must file the report. Then stay with the process despite its frustration--or the perpetrator goes free.

 

 

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