Burglary, robbery, battery spikes:
The "current" Public Safety page
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!
Public
Safety-home. What you can do. CAPS
and CAPS News. Tracking
Community Trends
WhistleSTOP
Committee. Community Safety
Focus Group. Business/Community
and Students/Teens
|
Burglary, robbery, battery spikes:The "current" Public Safety pageThis 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.
April 26, Thursday, 6-9 pm. Take Back the Night occurred on UC Bartlett Quad.
In a big shakeup in March 2008, new (and fitst outsider since 1960) Superintendent Jody P. Weis changed 21 of 25 district commanders. In the 21st, John. Doty is commander. Howard Lodding was promoted to assitant deputy superintendent of administrative services where he will put his IT skills to work. The new 2nd and 3rd district commanders were not yet known. 2nd District former commander Lynette Helm was promoted to chief of CAPS.
Commander Doty modifiying robbery, other strategies in 21st District. Doty took over in March. His predecessor expanded the burglary-robbery team; Doty disbursed them into other frontline units but is developing a training program for much of his force in conjunction with Area One on eveidned handling, phot arrays, interview an debriefings. He is focused on reducing the robberies. At the same time, he is charged with addressing the teen violence-(no deaths so far in the district, but teens have been shot, including one at 52nd and Blackstone). Crime levels do continue to decline in the district including Hyde Park and the University (for example dwon 11. 4 Jan-Mar 2008 over the previous year. But Doty is focusing on schools and after school times, reving up CAPS and getting guns off the streets. "Awareness is the best deterent there is," he told the Herald.
The University of Chicago and the City have teamed up with philanthropists to establish a research crime lab to find ways to develop interventions to reduce youth crime, especially gun violence. Jens Ludwig of SSA will lead in this focus on what costs about a hundred billion a year and snuffs out lives and communities.
March 7 a 26 yo boy was shot in the foot during gunfire in the 4500 block of S. Drexel.
March 12, 15 year old Hyde Park boy Marcellas Daniel was found dead in a trash can in Englewood.
March 13, 2:50 am a 20-year-old male was found dead of multiple shots in a parked car in the 4800 block of S. Drexel.
During that week, the area suffered 3 robberies, 4 burglaris, and 3 assaults.
For the first 7 months of 2007, the 21st District posted the largest drop of any district in violent crimes, 22%. The drop for all of 2006 was 14%, the 3rd largest in the city.
November 19 saw the first murder of a UC student in 30 years, at 61st and Eis. It was the culmination of a spree of robberies and attempted robberies by 4 teenagers, one of whom is in custody.
For November and December 2007, SECC reported a crime pattern of home burglaries in the 4700 and 4800 blocks of South Woodlawn avenue.
September 3 , 2007 a female was attacked by 3 males in the 5400 block of S. Cornell at 11:45 pm.
Many residents are incensed at flushing out of swimmers at the Point.
April 9, 2007. Alert continues for a black male about 6 ft ht. who attacked at least four individuals in a short time mid evening in a four block's radius.
April 20, 2007. From: safety-awareness-admin@listhost.uchicago.edu [mailto:safety-awareness-admin@listhost.uchicago.edu] On Behalf Of Duel Richardson
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 1:21 PM
To: Safety-awareness@listhost.uchicago.edu
Subject: [Safety Awareness]Safety Awareness AlertThe following is the text of a Safety Awareness Alert:
At 3:17 pm, Thursday, April 19, near South Kenwood Avenue between 53rd & 54th Streets (within Nichols Park), a man was walking when he noticed a group of about 20 male juveniles (about 13-15 years of age) within the park. This group then surrounded him and someone struck the victim on the back of the head. One of the group then demanded that the victim empty his pockets. When the victim ignored this and tried to keep walking, he was struck, knocked down, and kicked. A small radio was taken from his pocket. The group fled when the victim went to a nearby emergency phone and summoned University police who were unsuccessful in locating the offenders. The victim refused medical attention. Police are investigating.
Safety Awareness Alerts are based on information that has been reported to the police. The reported facts may not have been investigated or confirmed.PLEASE NOTE: The University of Chicago Police patrol area has in recent years been expanded considerably. In October of 2001, the patrol area was expanded south to 64th Street. In March of 2004, the patrol area was expanded north to 39th Street. The reporting protocols of the University's Safety Awareness Program apply to this entire area. Therefore, Security Alerts cover crimes committed not only in the Hyde Park neighborhood, but also in the surrounding North Kenwood/Oakland and Woodlawn neighborhoods that constitute parts of the expanded area patrolled by University police. Crime patterns are irregular throughout the patrol area. Readers are advised to attend carefully to the noted location of any reported incident.
April 28, former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley Braun suffered assault and attempted robbery in which her wrist broken by an assailant outside her Hyde Park home. Two U of C students came to her assistance, but the assailant escaped. He was caught later.
Police express concern about new wave of teen random attacks on adults. In late May 2007, it was noted by police and officials that a number of attacks by (mainly groups of) teens on adults occurred, especially on May 21 around the U of C campus but also elsewhere. Rudy Nimocks, head of the U of C Police, said these are probably related to creating status and impressing peers. Bob Mason of SECC told the Herald the trend has been on the rise since February. Two had been arrested. This has since subsided to a steady occasional background.
May 31, a South Side resident and his wife were robbed on Jackson Park Golf Course by two teens with a gun.
An old crime solved: A suspect was arrested in Florida, a 19-year-old male, suspected in the 2006 murder of Corey Ebenezer, manager at Leona's in Kimbark Plaza. Lorenzo Wilson, 19, alleged killer of the Leona's manager in June 2006, has been extradited from Florida and charged. At least two others alleged to be involved are being sought. Murdered Corey Ebenezer's fiance has filed a lawsuit against premises management alleging lax security. All four alleged involved persons were arrested by June 2007. Heavily involved was a fired employee. The 15 year old was sentenced to five years and will testify against the others.
Police officers Troy Susnis and Maciej Prdazmowski were awarded the Cook County Sheriff Law Enforcement Award of Merit for helping detectives solve a robbery pattern in Hyde Park and arrest the suspects August 13 2007.
Hyde Park Herald, February 20, 2008. By Kate Hawley
Burglaries dropped by nearly a third in th 21st Police District last year-- a decline police credited to a task force recently created to target these crimes.
The 21st District covers a narrow strip of south lakefront land that includes Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland and a slice of Bronzeville north of 35th Street. The number of burglaries in that area sank to 481 in 2007, down from 702 a year earlier, according to police.
The steepest declines occurred in Hyde Park and the southern part of Kenwood, where burglary rates were highest in 2006. In three police beats roughly bounded by 47th Street, 55th Street, Cottage Grove Avenue and Lake Michigan, 197 burglaries were reported in 2007, down from 381 the previous year. Burglary rates elsewhere in the District varied but were generally lower, and saw less dramatic change from 2006 to 2007, according to Chicago Police Department figures.
A task force create to target burglaries and robberies played a big part in bringing the burglary rates down, said Howard Lodding, commander of the 21st District. Lodding, who assumed his post in April 2006, formed the task force in November of that year, prompted by input from the community and one of his sergeants, Matt Kolasa, he said.
Lodding expanded a two-person team focusing on robberies to an eight-person team dedicated to investigating burglaries and robberies. The task force can examine crimes with more focus and depth than regular police patrols, several of its officers said. And it responds within 24 hours-- several days before Area One detectives, who are responsible for five police districts, typically being investigating incidents.
"We get a little more intimate," said Dewey Lee, Jr., and officer on the task force."We kind of get used to their habits, their techniques," said his colleague, Officer Greg Strelczyk, of the burglars. Those techniques have shifted since the drug trade has declined in recent years, according to Nancy Lipman, a tactical lieutenant with the 21st District. "It's not the addicts looking for a fix a much," she said. "Now we're seeing more career burglars." The task force nabbed six of these -- considered "major offenders" by police -- within its first few months of operation, according toe Strelczyk. "We're on a hot streak," he said.
"After they were taken down, we noticed a huge reduction," he continued. "After that it became more opportunists than pattern-makers."
The District's top priority now is to reduce robberies, Lodding said. The number of robberies in th 21st District dropped by two last year: to 427 in 2007 form 429 in 2006, according to Chicago Police Department. However robberies declined about 24 percent in 2006 from the previous year [ed.- which was a high spike].
Lodding also said 21st District police have bought 100 paper shredders to raffle off at CAPS meetings, as a way to encourage residents to protect themselves from identity theft. Other crime-fighting devices, such a window alarms, are also available through CAPS, he said.
Protect yourself. 21st District Police advise:
- Make sure your home is well lit, inside and out
- Close and lock windows
- Make your home look occupied when you're out of town by picking up mail and putting lights and TVs on timers
- Break down big electronics boxes so burglars don't spot them in your trash
- Engrave personal information on electronics
- Keep serial numbers for electronics in a safe place.
Campus Safety and Emergency Alerts links are in the Public Safety page.
Note that the captured perpetrators did not come form the immediate area but many blocks west. And they were teens who decided they needed money so went out looking in Hyde Park and nearby because students were supposed to have money--they in fact got nothing or chump change from the three sets of victims that night. The University has held several focus groups, a memorial service and vigil, and a large rally on the Quads on this incident. Below is a report on one. We start with coverage of new security measures.
President Zimmer initiates new security measures across campus
University of Chronicle December 6, 2007.In an e-mail message sent Monday, Nov. 27--one of several messages that President Zimmer has sent to the University community since the fatal shooting of amadou Cisse--the President reiterated that the University would continue to make campus security a top priority. He also updated the community about the actions that have been taken to strengthen campus safety.
In addition to permanently increasing police patrols on and around campus by 50 percent between 4 p.m. and midnight and more than doubling the police car presence after midnight, the University has established a police substation at 61st Street and Drexel Avenue. That facility will be staffed 24 hours a day and will provide a visible police presence south of the Midway Plaisance. The substation will operate until the University Police Department's new facility opens at that location in May 2008. A police substation will remain at the current headquarters at 56th Street and Ellis Avenue, once the new headquarters open in spring.
Two additional vans have been added to the University's SafeRide program, and the service has been expanded to begin at 5 p.m. Phone lines have also been added to ensure that callers will be able to reach a dispatcher to request a ride.
This on-demand van service is available Sunday through Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 a.m. for students and employees located in the University Police area of coverage (39th Street to 64th Street, Lake Shore Drive to Cottage Grove Avenue). Individuals should call (773) 702-2022 and give their precise address for pick-up, and have their University ID ready when boarding the bus. For more information about the SafeRide program or the University's evening bus service, please visit http://facilities,uchicago.edu/transpparking/transportation/index.shtml. You may e-mail any questions, concerns or suggestions to bus@uchicago.edu.
Anyone within the University Police coverage are may request a police escort at any time if they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. Call 773 702-8181 and give your location; the first available patrol car will be dispatched to accompany you as you walk to your destination.
For more information about this Umbrella coverage ad other personal safety programs, please call (773) 702-8181 or visit http://oca.uchicago.edu/safety.
to reach the UCPD in an emergency, dial (773) 702-8181 or press the read button on one of the emergency phones located in the area. For non-emergency requests, please call 773 702-8190. Suggestions on security enhancements in or around campus may be sent o communityaffairs@uchicago.edu.
At the University implements these immediate measures, it also will undertake a sustained and comprehensive effort to improve campus safety, wrote Zimmer. " I am appointing a Working Group on Safety and Security composed of faculty, staff, students and community representatives to work intensively on a range of safety improvements," he noted.
Zimmer has appointed Kimberly Goff-Crews, Vice President and dean of Students in the University, and Rick Rosengarten, Dean of the Divinity School and current chair of he committee on Crime Prevention and Security on Campus and in the Neighborhood, to co-chair the group. It will review current security efforts, including policing, transportation, lighting and dissemination of information; solicit ideas for improving campus safety; and make recommendations about additional improvements.
The University also will consult with an external security firm, which wil conduct a thorough review of security measures and recommend any changes that might increase the University's effectiveness regarding safety.
"We also are working in partnership with City of Chicago officials, local elected officials, community leaders and residents to address the level of crime on the mid-South Side. we have extensive programs with our South Side community involving education, housing, jobs and other aspects inherent to a community that fosters a safe and secure environment. We will continue this work," wrote Zimmer.
[Note: Zimmer took a tour of the vicinity of the crime, including the new parking and office building at 61st and Drexel and ordered additional security equipment and measures.]
Hyde Park Herald, December 5, 2007. By Sam Cholke
Students gathered wednesday night a the McCormick Tribune Lounge to hear from University of Chicago administrates and police about on-campus security measures following the murder of student Amadou Cisse.
Rudolph Nimocks, chief of police and security services at the University of Chicago, provided an update on increased security measures on campus following the "tragic circumstances." Nimocks said police presence between East 55th and East 64th streets has been increased three fold since the recent string of crimes on East 61st street and South Ellis Avenue, including a mobile police substation on that corner.
Brian Shaw, director of campus transportation and parking services, said additional buses have been added to the late-night Safe Ride program. Additional vehicles are available to expand the service further, if demand warrants, he said. "Use spiked after the incident," Shaw said. Use of the service has nearly tripled. "Put the word out," Nimocks said. "Use all the transportation alternatives available."
Students expressed gratitude for having services like SafeRide available, but many worried that encouraging students to avoid walking around in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus could promote an irrational fear-- an "us vs them" mindset, as one student, Joe, said. [Ed. More likely is that the streets will become less safe for the lone walker if empty.] "It's not a problem of us vs. them. We've been working hard fo years to be in dialogue with the Woodlawn community," Nimocks said. "That attitude is all gone."
Shaw pointed to recent events, like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and services, like bus lines and parking available to residents and students alike, as helping link the university and the surrounding community.
Student Eve Ewing said services and events like those illustrated by Shaw and Nimocks were positive steps but did not foster an immediate relationship between students and residents. Ewing said her hope was t hat the Cisse murder would prompt more programs like the Neighborhood Schools Program (NSP), which helps students assist in school classrooms, community centers, and governmental offices. Ewing said prog drams like NSP help forge relationships between students and residents beyond the short-term contact that parking and community events offer. Ewing has worked in several neighborhood schools through NSP. She said she felt Cisse's murder would not change the attitude of those students already working in the community. "There are always going to be some who are fearful," Ewing said. "But people interested in working in Woodlawn wouldn't be dissuaded by this."
Kim Goff-Crews, vice-president and dean of students, was receptive to Ewing's comments and said the recently formed Working Group on Safety and Security would take her comments into consideration. Goff-Crews encouraged Ewing and other students with ideas on how to improve safety on campus to join the working group and bring their ideas to administrators. Top
September 13, Thursday, 6 pm. Local date of police CAPS Implementation Seminar on High Rise Security. South Side YMCA, 6303 S. Stony Island. For info and alt. dates, email William.Townsell@chicagopolice.org.
September 28, Friday, 8 am-9 pm. CAPS Implementation Office Counterfeit Currency and ID Theft Seminar for business. Hyde Park Bank, 1425 E. 53rd St. 312 747-9987.
Alderman Hairston called a community meeting May 9 after former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Baun was mugged entering her house. A major purpose was to honor the two University of Chicago students who came to Ms. Braun's help and whom she called her heroes. Present were 21st district Commander Howard Lodding, who introduced many of his staff, and Rudy Nimocks, head of U of C Police Department, and SECC staff. They explained in detail both programs and strategies with improvements being made and provided many tips while acknowledging that there are going to be situations where people are going to be "opportunities" no matter how many police you pour into an area. Among improvements in progress, patrolmen are now in a program requiring them to get out of their cars most of the time and walk the beat -watching, talking to folks and being a presence; more bike patrols; multi-directional pod cameras in cars, increasing undercover officers and missions; new strategies on the Midway, and more. Nimocks insists their personnel has increased per population and per territory over the past few years despite taking on new coverage north and south. Also pointed out: despite the remaining high number of burglaries, they are down sharply so far this year and 5 major burglars have been caught this year.
Among concerns and allegations from attendees were:
- Underreporting of occurrences: When confronted with specifics, a flaw was uncovered that police and the UC agreed they will have to look at: If a perpetrator is caught in the act, no alert is issued! some kinds of matters seem to not trigger alerts. Also, there have been cases when a criminal is caught some time later and nothing is put out to that effect "clearing" the incident to the public. Police insisted there are safeguards in effect so that every report or encounter is recorded.
- Too much happens on the Midway (and certain other streets that have heavy foliage, specifically Woodlawn). Police pointed to what they are doing. Ald. Hairston said she is moving toward specific trimmings, but that the ambience and historic character of each area has to be taken into account. There will be judicious pruning on the Midway after consulting neighbors.
- Questions were asked about west Hyde Park. Police reported that there have been no incidents lately and they continue to patrol.
- Some attendees warned that youth have to be engaged, not just treated like "the enemy" and shunned or confronted--including by adults. Attendees were advised, though, if you fee uncomfortable about anyone or a situation, take another direction and call 911.
- The police and university will clarify to the public: when in doubt call 911- don't call 311.
Alderman Hairston agreed to call another meeting for more update and input.
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.)
Violent crime went up by just over 10% but some categories skyrocketed far beyond that, including murders up a third, aggravated assaults 15. By October robberies (which mainly drive violent crime statistics) and aggravated assaults outnumbered the previous year's by 80% each. The year saw our first double-digit violent crimes increase since 1996. There were 15 shootings resulting in injuries in 2005, a year that saw violent crime actually down 18.5 percent. However, January was relatively quiet with only 9 robberies 39th to 64th.
The first wave of robberies and batteries ran from January 31 through February 23- 12 and continued 5 months for a total of 55 by teenagers, several of whom were arrested.
Next there was a wave of 8 armed robberies by a "brazen 'older crew'," who were arrested in April.
Amidst that was a strong, persistent uptick in burglaries of homes and garages (esp. multi-family units) spread throughout the neighborhood and that did not abate but grew stronger about October. Burglaries are largely drugs-driven. 3-4 persons are thought to be responsible for most, and police are following leads.
Another wave was the gang loitering spike in the summer and beyond in northwest Hyde Park that included several shootings and murders continuing on.
In June the carjackings started, and a string of bold robberies all over the neighborhood peaking with 16 armed robberies between Sept. 12 and Oct. 29--this set of 3 was arrested, but further arrests made only a small dent. In December there were several carjackings/kidnappings in one evening.
There were also a few well publicized arsons. Top
Final figures compiled for 2006 by South East Chicago Commission and the 21st district showed and overall decline in violent crimes for 2006 of 25% over 2005, a trend continuing in 2007. The 21st District had the largest drop in the city. While 2005 was up, this returns to the trend line of the 1990s and later, resulting in some categories with the lowest levels since records started in 1975. This is attributed by police in large measure to coordination between UC and city police, attention to ownership of the beat and assignment, community policing nd new technology that extends the reach of the officer. Burglaries and other property crimes remain elevated, however-the only cat. to go up even slightly, with several alerts. The improvements were celebrated by the February 6 business lunch, the April 1 Pancake Breakfast at the Neighborhood Club and the April 19 South East Chicago Commission annual dinner. At the latter, especially honored were 21st District Commanders Howard Lodding and U of C. Police Officer Walter Boddie.
Comparisons for 2006: Violent crimes: Hyde Park 693, 21st District incl. HP 1085, citywide average per district 1219, lowest 218 (Jefferson Park-O'Hare), highest 3035 (Englewood) .
Some figures: Violent crime down 50% in the last decade and overall crime at a 30-year low. Robberies really drive the statistics, according to Bob Mason, Exec. Dir. of SECC. Aggravated battery and assault figures were not available before 1996, but h ave gone down 44% in the past decade. Burglaries, although quite high, are still down 45% from 1975 (784 to 433). And motor vehicle thefts dropped 58% also. U of C police cars are now in many instances unmarked and the officers plain clothed and work much more closely with police, over a larger service area. Several experienced persons say housing and hence occupants have been overhauled in large part, maybe as much since 1975 as during Urban Renewal. Population decline in the neighborhood itself has been minor (single digit), although dramatic north and south of Hyde Park, which could also make a difference.
1975 2006 Murder 11 2 Agg. crim. sex. assault 51 6 Robbery 546 205 (down 62% Vehicle Theft 578 245
From A business working coffee with Ald. Preckwinkle: Policing, rats, snow, and Cleanslate
February 6, 2007 the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and Ald. Preckwinkle held a quarterly business working coffee hosted by Pizza Capri.
The main purpose was to honor the 21st District and University of Chicago Police for a drop of up to 25 percent for 2006 and continuing in 2007 in violent and other categories of crime, to ask questions, and to find out what is next. Next is a major expansion of cameras, coming on a pilot basis, which police in the cars will be able to monitor simultaneously to greatly increase the reach of each officer in a time when not many new officers can be hired. Officer of he 21st District said they take seriously each beat officer’s ownership of responsibility in his beat. The University is also committed to expanding its reach through technology and to expanding even further coordination of the forces. (The U of C police are the first on the scene in the great majority of calls.) Several attending gave witness to the attention and helpfulness of both forces. Police said there have been major strides in controlling youth in and around Kenwood Academy and at BP and McDonalds, although there has to be a continuous presence during the day, as there is at Spruce Park. Call 911 for crimes and activity in progress. For ongoing problems talk to Lt. Martinez at 31 747-8340.
One question was about how landlords can get background checks on prospective and current tenants. Police said for the former private firms have to be hired. If there are reasons to think a current tenant is engaging in illegal activities, call the police for check, but you have to have a reason.
On homelessness and panhandling, these are not against the law. Triggers for police intervention are trespassing (e.g. sleeping or soliciting in a doorway) and harassment. Police have handled problem areas such as 53rd Blackstone, Spruce Park, Harper Court, behind the Pizza Capri building—some more were pointed out. Police pointed out that most here actually have homes, but are jobless, or else make their living panhandling, sometimes a very good living. They are generally sophisticated and know what behaviors will get them in trouble. The other component, mentally ill, are not as adept at that....
Robberies and violent crime continued a lower in the first two months of 2006, - and continued to be very quiet through at least mid June one of the quietest first 5 months on record--and the greatest percentage decrease in crimp out of the 25 districts--17%, but burglaries and some other categories (auto) continue at an elevated rate. And there were attention-grabbing crimes. The 21st District seeks to be proactive toward any upsurge in gang and drug activity and loitering in West Hyde Park. A spectacular murder of the manager of Leona's at closing time June 14 jolted the area. New area Commander Howard Lodding and CAPS Community Policing Sargeant Theresa Odum have been at the CAPS meetings and seem very engaged. The third district also has a new commander.
Matters largely appear to have calmed down as far as large groups and gang-related activity and shootings along Drexel and related streets 47th to 55th. However, one-on-one and 2 on one crime continues as in the rest of the area.
A large number of computers and computer parts belonging mainly to UC students and faculty (and reportedly at least one significant theft from within the Hospital) were found both within a UC student's apartment at 1401 E. 55th and Apollo Computer 5234 S. Blackstone, which was acting as a chop shop. If you think your property is among these, call 312 747-8330 (police) . Top
There are now 3 cameras (and they will soon be scanning all license plates to try to catch those with warrants, etc.- Ald. Preckwinkle is for all this and says the cameras have been helpful. Some way they have pushed the crime over, Ald. Hairston has some reservations). The cameras, which have zoom of 400X, 360 angle and more, are at 48th an drexel, 53rd and Drexel and at Kenwood High, 51st and Harper.
September-November 2006 notes. Several robbers continue to target businesses, esp. those without surveillance cameras. Some street robbers are very young. Some burglars have been caught thanks to diligent neighbors. Yet another warning about burglars, especially in the 5200 and 5300 blocks of Ellis and Woodlawn, was issued in mid October. Since Ingleside, then Greenwood (Feb. 07) were special targets in a spate of burglaries throughout the area.
In October, we had our second homicide of the year, Janice Ordidge was found strangled in her bathtub in an upscale high rise in east Hyde Park. No sign of forced entry. The "cable guy" perpetrator was later caught. And a rash of street robberies by pairs of teens and adults, also in the 3rd week of October and after, including on campus several brazen robberies and a set of persons shooting bb guns at people. Student Government is setting up a security commission that will seek more lighting and phones, faster response time, and an on-line database; others say the UC and city police are already addressing the matters and crime is overall and some is unavoidable. Burglaries continue to mushroom. And now there is an alert on bikes, especially at the University.
The 21st district saw a 17 percent decline in violent index crimes January-May 2006, going from 7th to 11th highest. Commander Lodding attributed this to collaboration between Chicago and University of Chicago Police with SECC.
Total index crime, according to the Herald, is one of 8 crime categories collected by the police as part of the Uniform Crime Reporting Program and is considered representative of the most serious crimes. The 8 are spit into violent and property. Violent include homicide , criminal sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault or battery.
There were 2 homicides in the district this year (at least one of them in Hyde Park-Kenwood). The average in the period was six per district.
Hyde Park Herald, March 21, 2007. By Kathy Chaney
Crime down near Bessie Coleman Park: Reports of "shots fired" reduced from 52 to 10 in one year
The two blocks in west Hyde Park that crime had a stranglehold on in 2005 saw quieter days in 2006 as a result of community involvement, the alderman's offices and local police.
Calls to the Chicago Police Department reporting "shots fired" reduced dramatically in 2006 in the 5300 and 5400 blocks of South Drexel avenue after the police stepped up patrols and monthly meetings between building owners in the area and the 21st district police department was initiated.
In 2005 there were 52 "shots fired" calls; in 2006, there were 19. The 5399 block of South Drexel Avenue is in the 4th Ward and the 5400 block of South Drexel Avenue is in the 5th Ward.
The crime surge in that two-block stretch, near Bessie Coleman Park, 5445 S. Drexel Ave., was attributed to a conflict between two gangs, the "Titanic Blackstones" and the "Mickey Cobras." The gangs competed for drug sales in the area.
Peter Cassel, the advisory council chair for the park and the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club's executive director, said a myriad of factors--increased police presence, improved street lighting an community organizing--helped bring the area back to a safe state. "They [police] get out of their cars, speak with the kids on the street," Cassel told the Herald. "The area received a great deal of assistance from Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th)."
Keeping the area well lit, the addition of speed bumps to slow down traffic and the presence of the police camera at 53rd Street and Drexel Avenue, he said, also added a sense of security.
Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (4th) said discussions between police and local property owners through a series of monthly meetings, called "Drexel Corridor," started at her ward office in April 2005 to combat loitering and other activities that promote crime. Months after the meetings started, a new commander for the 21st District, Howard Lodding, took over.
"At the meetings, we discuss problems in the buildings on Drexel, calls we receive service on and problems called into the alderman's office," Lodding told the Herald. Lodding said managers of the buildings were also instrumental in keeping the area quiet and safe. "Management [at the monthly meetings] gets to tell us what we're not doing as a police department and the camera seems to be doing well," he said.
Another integral part of driving crime down in the area is the assignment of two tactical officers, Lodding said. "Their main focus is on the management companies, problems in the buildings and things of that nature," he said.
Officers Janean Ormond and Jeff LaPorte said they have noticed an improvement in the area. The biggest difference, they said, has been the cooperation among building owners, management companies and the aldermen.
"Everyone is there. There are a few residents that come from one of the high-rises, by mainly it's for the management to come with us with their issues," LaPorte said. The system has worked. New building owners have reached out to the commander and the tactical officers.
"They come to us with ideas and we let them know what works and what doesn't. They want to make sure they don't have a problem in their buildings and they want to know how to spot the behavior that breeds problems," Ormond said.
The officers recommend that residents take a more proactive approach and attend the regular Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) beat meetings and always call police when they see suspicious activity.
The tips from the officers, Cassel said, were implemented by the community. "Things got out of control very quickly and the community really organized itself fast and got right back at it. We all came together and said that this couldn't happen and it stopped," Cassel said.
The CAPS beat that encompass the patrol area near Coleman Park are 2123, 2124 an 2131.... Call 312 747-2930. [These meet respectively:
- Beat 2123 (North Kenwood) 2nd Tuesday, Kennicott Park field house, 4434 S. Lake Park Avenue. 7 pm.
- Beat 2124 (northwest) 4th Tuesday, MOVED to 4829 S. Cottage Grove. 6 pm.
- Beat 2131 (central north) 3rd Thursday, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood. 7 pm. ]
[Shots fired 2005 52, 2006 19. Homicides from 1 to 0, Aggravated assault/battery from 3 t o 0, Armed robbery and Attempted from 1 each to 0.]
Area One detective are looking for one black man 26 to 28 years old, about six-feet tall and approximately 200 pounds with a stocky build, wearing a red shirt, medium-brown complexion an black hair worn in braids; and one clean shaven, thin black man 20 to 25 years old, about six-feet tall with a medium-brown complexion. No description of the third suspect is available.
On March 18, 2007 a community alert was issued after a woman was raped but 1:30 am in the vicinity of Jackson Park. 312 747-8380.
They are also looking for a black male aged 30-40, 5'6" to 5'9" 160-190 lbs who attempts to kidnap and rob women at knife point. Incidents reported in the 5400 block on Kimbark and Harper. January 2007. Call Detectives Area One with information, 312 747-8382.
Police are also looking for a suspect who sexually assaulted a woman at 5400 Greenwood- 27-3, African American, 6 foot, braided hair, 200 pounds. Also for the group of youths who assaulted a Lab School student at ? pm July 5 2006 on Kenwood Avenue between 56th and 57th.
And for an African-American male c30 5'7" medium bild and black goatee who tried to kidnap a woman into a car, at 56th and Kimbark March 6.
In February 2006 total crime was down 22 percent over Feb. 2005; overall down 5% Feb. 05-Feb. 06 over previous 12-month period. The 12-month. comparison shows robberies down 29% (24 to 17) and thefts 54% (67 to 31). However, burglaries are up 97% over the 12-month (37 to 73). Property crime is down 29% in Feb. (1% for the 12-month). Violent crime was the same as in January but is down 18.5 compared to last February.
Despite capture of one person responsible for 15 burglaries in the west part of Hyde Park and Kenwood, burglaries are continuing.
Continuing the trend, in the first week of April there were 4 burglaries (3 in East Hyde Park, 2 probably by the same individual judging from proximity in place and time) but no robberies or assaults, 3 property thefts and 3 car thefts. And now the summer surge is likely to kick in.
Another, particularly vicious, pair of robbers was caught the last week of April.
June saw shooting of a Hyde Park High student at 1500 52nd (one of 3 suspects in custody, vicious attack followed a challenge by several to group rowdiness and brick-throwing). Then came the robbery-murder at Leona's.In May, the new police commander, Howard Lodding, and University of Chicago Police had initiated several measures to turn things around.
Snapshot May 18-June 15 2006, Beat 2131
What's hot: theft (11), Criminal damage and Motor vehicle theft (10 each), Battery (8). There were 4 assaults and 4 batteries, and 1 each Criminal sexual assault, Criminal trespass, Deceptive practice, Offense involving children (not bringing back in time), Robbery.
The World Garden at Kenwood Community Park, started by Common Threads and the park, experienced repeated vandalism and theft to the garden and minimal fence in 2006. (Common Threads was started by Al Smith, Oprah's chef, and includes a project to teach kids from across the South Side the whole process of food production. The Kenwood Improvement Association at its meeting heard from the project's director Linda Novick and asked action. Rudy Nimocks, director of The University of Chicago Police, made arrangements for nighttime UCP and 21st District patrols to make sure the garden stays. They also have been working with the park district to get a sturdy fence. Matters appear to have calmed down,
Late summer into fall 2006. Serious, violent and predacious sex offenses connected with robberies continue to punctuate a quieter year.
Neighbors are complaining about an increase in mobile drug sales along 56th and Everett.
Several of the late summer-early fall 2006 crimes are in broad daylight and peopled areas, especially at the University and Hospitals. In the 5 months through September, 5 shootings and 3 murders vs. 20056 11 shootings and 5 fatalities. We also had a bank robbery, Bank Financial Lake Park branch (the robber got away, although the dye-pack money was recovered.)
On September 7, Patrick Starks of 5200 block S. Harper was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, kidnapping and robbery of a 16-year-old boy. Starks allegedly forced the youth into his car, brandishing a gun. The youth was allegedly robbed and molested in Starks' apartment but was cleverly able to get away; police shortly thereafter apprehended Starks. Starks was held in lieu of $300,000 bond and was to appear in court September 21.
September 8 an accompanied(!) woman was sexually assaulted by the Lab School in the 5800 block of S. kenwood, again by a man announcing robbery and showing a gun, although this time mot from a gun. The assailant allegedly threatened to shoot both victims. Police are looking for an African-American male aged 18-23, 6 foot, 280 to 200 pound, brown eyes and black hair in braids wearing dark baggy pants and a white T-shirt. Call 312 747-8380 if you have any information.
In one of the more bizarre crimes, a 79-year-old Hyde Park woman (5300 block of S. Hyde Park) named Melvena Cooke is alleged to have attempted unsuccessfully to rob a Bank of America downtown branch.
Burglaries continue in all parts of the community.
At the end of 2006,there are still no leads in the murder of the Leona's' manager June 15.
The cameras are installed along Drexel Blvd. at about 48th/49th and 52nd and a different kind south (5th Ward?). They have to be funded from aldermanic menus. They are theoretically part of the "Homeland Security Grid" and managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
And the university is putting up 5 additional security phones along 47th and in west Hyde Park.
There is a new one that keeps an eye on Kenwood Academy grounds and students coming and departing. Whether there will be opposition is unknown.
There is a strong call to implement cameras at hot locations, and the first locally will probably be at 47th/48th Drexel. Alderman Preckwinkle and the 21st District, with strong support at recent CAPS meetings, had selected by early April 2006 4 locales, to be narrowed to 2 and be placed in the vicinity of 47th and Drexel. Cameras are linked to the Office of Emergency Management and Communication. Some say such cameras are little more than deterrents sometimes invite daredevils-- by the time dispatched officers come the damage is done. Top
There are now 3 cameras (and they will soon be scanning all license plates to try to catch those with warrants, etc.- Ald. Preckwinkle is for all this and says the cameras have been helpful. Some way they have pushed the crime over, Ald. Hairston has some reservations). The cameras, which have zoom of 400X, 360 angle and more, are at 48th an drexel, 53rd and Drexel and at Kenwood High, 51st and Harper. Altogether there were 300 and counting cameras in the city in late 2006.
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 Armed robberies still target cell phone, other stores
The pattern spanned 5 months and a wide swath of neighborhoods as of May 2006. A special alert was given to these stores. The pattern, thought to involve the same people, is unusual in its wide dispersion. Advice is to have surveillance equipment, don't resist but be observant so a good description can be given.
U of C 3rd-year student Walter Ulmer was arrested in a major theft spree in February 2007. Ulmer is a resident of the 1401 University Park condominiums building. During a "wellness" check, he attempted to jump out of his apartment, according o police, and a hoard of mostly electronic equipment was found belonging to area residents and the U of C and its Hospitals. Police seek to link the owner of Apollo Computer at 5234 S. Blackstone with receiving and fencing the stolen goods--indeed, hundreds of computer parts were found in the shop with no records. Building the cases depends on victims coming forward.
Pattern burglaries were reported on Ingleside Avenue at the end of 2006. But burglaries occur throughout the neighborhood. Top
Highly bizarre: for a second time in 2006, the Lady of Peace statue of the Virgin in the St. Thomas the Apostle garden was removed from its base, dragged to the church steps, and head and hands cut off, as in some kind of Satanic ritual? The statue is beloved and a source of devotion even to non-parishioners.
Howard W. Lodding was appointed Commander of the 21st District, and has actively engaged the communities and need to combat crime. 312 747-5143.
The new CAPS Sergeant (Community Policing Officer) is Theresa Odum, 312 747-2930. theresa.odum@chicagopolice.org.Wooded Island late night security, including Osaka Garden, has become a serious issue in 2006. The offenses are various, ranging from sexual activity through wild parties, vandalism, and a a murder in July 2006. The police and alderman say they are overtaxed to deal with the situation. Various short and long-term solutions are being explored. The 3rd District has been invited to come to the August 14 JPAC meeting.
Incidents involved a homicide, likely also a hate crime, on or at Wooded Island July 10 2006. Charles Marks, 61, of 1700 E. 56th St. was found robbed and beaten to death at 3:50 pm. Area 2 Detective Tom Ayers told the Herald "Four black males were seen entering and leaving the area around the time of the incident." They were reported to have boasted "We got a faggot." Police have some leads but no suspects. Area 2 detectives are at 312 747-8271.
In addition, July 22 a fisherman fell into the lake and drowned by the harbor inlet, 6500 S. Lake Shore Drive, his fishing partner jumped in to save him and was pulled under. The men were Jacob Neal and Anthony Cleveland. Top
University beefing up security- and how do we rank on crime? Ex burglars give neighbors timely tips
In the past few years the University Police extended its reach to at points 35th in the north and 64th in the south--some say at cost of stretching resources thin, although its coverage of problems and work with the Chicago Police to crack crimes has been fantastic. The University Police will also move into new state of the art facilities in the 61st/Drexel Garage.
With the upsurge of crime in 2005 (the first double-digit increases in violent crime since 1996 according to Bob Mason of South East Chicago Commission) , reaching even into campus, the University increased its patrols. By the start of 2006, the University had committed new resources. According to an email to the University community January 6, Hank Webber cited a spike in crime as reason for hiring more police at $200,000 a year and improving campus lighting. Webber said action has been taken on safety concerns, including addition of three UCPD patrols, plans to increase campus lighting at night, and arrests of those involved in September through December strings of robberies and carjackings. Two of the new patrols--including both uniformed and plain clothed officers-- will operate 4-12 pm and the other during the day. There will be increased overtime pay. Also, a full review is being made of campus and neighborhood areas police and others think are under lighted.Still, University spokespersons (Webber in the email) point out, the area remains "relatively safe." Of 77 neighborhoods, Hyde Park had 10 sexual assaults vs South Shore 50 and Woodlawn's 27 (the 10th worst in the city at 5 attacks per 5,000 residents). Hyde Park's 2004 821 violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents is 26 percent below the city average of 1,270 per. And property crime fell 6 percent in 2005 to a record low.
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.
The University's chapter of NOW asks in early 2006 for more resources, awareness of sexual assault on campus, separate policy from that on sexual harassment.
General news:
See what neighbors said about public safety in HPK at a HPKCC public discussion on what's right, what's wrong with HPK. In the HPKCC Community Safety page. Alerts up now: Murder of Leona's manager at closing time--storeowners should use all precautions. See below.
Alert is out for a 20-25 year old man for sexual assault to a 13-year-old girl on June 9 in the 5100 block of S. Cottage Grove. Driving a Chevy 4 Door white Blazer.
Note, the only registered sexual predator living in HPK proper is within 500 feet of Akiba-Schechter 5200 Cornell. (Such are not supposed to be living within 500 feet of a school.) Some have strongly said there is insufficient attention at CAPS etc. to the matter. For more info or notice of registered offenders go to chicagopolice.org or familywatchdog.us.June 30 the was a sexual assault near 5400 Greenwood. African-American, 2-25, 67 ft , long braided hair.
The brother of a young man killed in breakdown of a gang truce June 23 2005 in the 5400 block of S. Ingleside was shot and critically wounded, along with the person he was walking with (not critically) , in the 5200 block of S. Ingleside when someone riding past on a bike at 4:15 pm. opened fire at them several times. The suspects are African American, males, c 16 years of age, one 5' 6" 180#.
Occasional stabbings and attacks of opportunity by groups of men.
Burglaries (even though a person responsible for 15 burglaries in west Hyde Park has been caught).
Store robberies- especially cell phone stores.
Car theft/theft from cars.
Pigeon drop scam.Still, the first quarter of 2006 was the lowest in years for crimes, with theft of property still being rather high.
Now installed: a blue-light cameras on Drexel Blvd. between 47th and 48th--and as far south as 53rd.
Leona's manager murdered June 14 2006. Description
The murder of the Leona's manager at closeup time has shocked the neighborhood
Some are commenting on business procedures--open rear doors? Lack of cameras including in the alleys out back? And struggling rather than complying with demand for money. And on the possibility of inside involvement since other employees were not harmed. The police are tracking leads--very diligently, but with little reported success so far.
Herald June 21, by Kathy Chaney. As of Monday, the Chicago Police Department continued its search for three suspects in a robbery June 15 at Leona's restaurant, 1236 E. 53rd St. that ended in the murder of Corey Ebenezer. Leona's manager, Ebenezer, 26, was tallying the days' money and register receipts when three men entered an unlocked rear door of the restaurant and demanded money, police said.
A brief struggle ensued before shots were fired. The suspects ran out of the rear door into an alley with an undisclosed amount of money. Money was also found lying next to Ebenezer's body. Other employees who were cleaning up at the time of the incident were not injured. Current and former employees of Leona's said it was normal practice for the rear door to be unlocked beyond closing hours.
Leona's, which shares the alley with other businesses located in Kimbark Plaza, does not have surveillance cameras. While there are no visible cameras in the alley of Kimbark Plaza, police are looking into whether any cameras at those businesses captured the suspects fleeing.
Kimbark Pl az, managed by Aegis Properties, employs security guards for the mall daily between 10 a.m. and 12. a.m. Security personnel were off duty by the time of the robbery. "We are in the process of doing many improvements," Tim Allwardt (sp?), president of Aegis, told the Herald on Monday. Aegis took over management of the plaza about a month ago and was not aware of any security concerns prior to the murder [including robberies at Chase Bank and Wok and Roll?!] "I will bring the concerns up to the Kimbark Plaza board," he said. The Parker-Holsman Company managed Kimbark Pizza before Aegis took over [and] could not be reached for comment...
"This is a prominent neighborhood and I've worked her for 10 years and never saw any surveillance cameras. I just don't understand it," said an employee in the strip mall who wished not to be named. Hyde Parker Sheila Clay said, "They need to install cameras behind the businesses to keep the people safe. Installing them is now that experience."
Ebenezer, a Bronzeville resident and father, worked for the company for nearly eight years, working in their Beverly and suburban Hillside locations before coming to Hyde Park. "He was a good man and a good father. We just had a baby...
Area One detective are looking for one black man 26 to 28 yea srs old, about six-feet tall and approximately 200 pounds with a stocky build, wearing a red shirt, medium-brown complexion an black hair worn in braids; and one clean shaven, thin black man 20 to 25 years old, about six-feet tall with a medium-brown complexion. No description of the third suspect is available...
Caught: all the currently active strong-arm robbers? NO! But the pattern robber (and his cousin accomplice) are captured and accounted for. And two waves of carjackers, one responsible for up to 5 December 10 and 12. The former student who set fires on the UC campus was caught, as was a UC guard turned strong-arm robber!
Caught also - a person responsible for 15 burglaries west Hyde Park.
Caught in December 2006- the infamous "cable guy" murderer, who claimed a victim in a east Hyde Park tower building autumn 2006. People wonder why he was observed for hours casing the place with nothing being said and why it took so long after his arrest for another similar crime to make the connection.
Caught also in December 2006- a pair of early teens committing robberies at and near the U of C.
Continuing- robberies at the U of C Hospitals employees remote lots since security guards were eliminated for budget reasons..
Bessie Coleman Park Council, residents, and the Conference are sending letters to the Superintendent asking the 54th Drexel area be declared a Hot Spot for increased police presence and speed in naming a quality replacement for 21st District Community Police director Scott Oberg.
February 2 2006 HPKCC board resolution and letter, echoing that of Bessie Coleman Park Council, and letter to Supt. Cline
Motion:
Whereas: There has been a continued aggravated problem with serious crime and quality of life issues for parts of west Hyde Park since early 2005,
And Whereas the Bessie Coleman Park Advisory Council has asked for designation of that park’s vicinity as a Gang and Drug Loitering Hot Spot for increased police presence,
And Whereas the Council has expressed its interest for the Conference to back its requests to Police Superintendent Cline,
And Whereas the concern and requests of the Bessie Coleman Park Council are congruent with the concerns and interest of the Conference,
Therefore be it Resolved that the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference directs that the following letter and attachments be sent to Superintendent Philip Cline and co-correspondents:
Draft text of letter for Feb. 2, 2006 HPKCC Board consideration per motion by Gary Ossewaarde. Letter as sent was slightly revised for the February 22 Hyde Park Herald.
February 2, 2006Philip J. Cline
Superintendent
Chicago Police Department
3510 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60653Dear Superintendent Cline:
The Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference, its Safety, and its Parks Committees join the Bessie Coleman Park Advisory Council in asking that a sustained elevated police presence--specifically a Hot Spot designation, be established for 54th Street and adjacent Drexel, Maryland and Cottage Grove Avenues (detailed below) including Bessie Coleman Park in Beat 2131 of the 21st Police District.
In addition, we ask for prompt appointment of a Community Policing (CAPS) Sergeant, able to work with the Coleman Park Council, to replace deservedly promoted Scott J. Oberg.
In the past year, the area between South Drexel, Maryland and Cottage Grove Avenues, from 55th to 53rd streets, , has gone from being a relatively quiet residential street to a zone dominated by drive-by gunfire, targeted shootings, open drug sales, and loiterers.The daily and nightly loitering tends to occur in Bessie Coleman Park, at the southwest and northwest corners of Drexel and 54th, at 5439 South Drexel and 5425 S. Drexel, at the southwest corner of 53rd and Drexel and at the northwest and southwest corners of 54th and Maryland. The loitering involves disruptively noisy yelling and car-horn blowing. Finally, 14 shooting episodes in West Hyde Park from May through December 2005 have resulted in deaths and severe injuries. Please see the attached listing of West Hyde Park shootings compiled by the South East Chicago Commission.
Since the violence started, the community has organized residents, participated actively in Beat 2131 (not less than 20 of the area’s residents consistently attend beat 2131 meetings), and regularly called both the 21st District Police and the University of Chicago Police when any action occurs.
The community has also formed the Bessie Coleman Park Advisory Council, working with the Chicago Park District to improve the local play lot and to take it back from the drug dealers and gang members. The area aldermen have held well-attended community meetings where residents voiced their concerns and offered ideas to stabilize the neighborhood.The residents and businesses in the area have demonstrated their concern and willingness to work with the police for the security of their neighborhood. They and the Conference need your help. Again, specifically we need a CAPS Sergeant, an elevated, sustained police presence in west Hyde Park, and to have the area designated and effectively patrolled as a Chicago Police Department “Hot Spot.”
The Conference appreciates designation of the area around 48th and Drexel a Hot Spot. In order to effectively clean up west Hyde Park, the associated problem area surrounding 54th and Drexel needs the same.
Respectfully yours,
George W. Rumsey
President Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference
Cc: 1st Area Commander, 21st Distr. Cdr. Adrienne Stanley, Alderman Leslie Hairston (4th), Ald. Toni Preckwinkle (5th), Park Supervisor Rick Shaheen, Kevin Ryan (Park District police), Peter Cassel (Bessie Coleman Council), Bob Mason (SECC), Hyde Park Herald, Rudy Nimocks (UC Police)Attached: record of criminal activity in the area
Wednesday, November 9 2005 three men were arrested and identified by 6 of the victims of 16 violent muggings in recent weeks. Deandre O'Neal 17 and Darrien Russell 20, and another Russell, cousins who live at the same address in the 300 block of E. 69th, were fingered by their grandmother, who found wallets etc. in her garbage--and called police to return people's missing items. Police of course put two and two together...Both are charged with felonies and will remain in County Jail until their trials. Detective Walsh told the press that coordination between UC and Chicago police made the arrests possible. South East Chicago Commission is confident that this pattern has been busted.
But there was at least one strongarm robber with a large automatic Sat. at dusk Nov. 12 by a home near 57th and Dorchester. A delivery driver was assaulted in the 5200 block of Blackstone. This person was described as extremely savvy as well as bold, mid 30s, fast, parked in a car waiting for a victim. He used only motions, no voice, with much of his face covered. In motion-response to a question he indicated it was credit cards he was after--and he used it for gas before the card company could stop it. And it goes on and on.Two committed 4 carjack/strongarm robberies, including driving captives to ATMs on the evening of December 12 2005 and were possibly responsible for that of December 10. These ranged over a large part of Hyde Park and Kenwood. Kendal Burke and Timothy Banks, 19 and 20, were captured in early January in what is said to be a great example of two police departments (including the gang and fugitive unit), federal marshals, and citizens working together.
The first carjacking. Tyree Howard turned himself in after his grandmother (living at 55th and Woodlawn) talked him into it after recognizing him on tv from an atm camera shot. The two others have apparently been caught also. The adult claims he just wants to clear it up; the police are sure it's him--fingerprints and dna will tell. The lady was highjacked north of 47th Street trying to locate a parking space (living at 45th and Woodlawn) and was driven around 4 hours from atm to atm--said she couldn't remember the pin number. An alert police sargeant saw the drivers going the wrong way down a one-way street.
Two more captures in December 2005: the man who forced his way into apartments to "use the phone" and tied up and robbed, and the female U of C Hospitals Security officer who pipewhacked and stole from 3 UC students in an alley.
Then December 12 two offenders committed up to 4 carjackings in one evening. No one has been taken into custody and three of the stolen cars have yet to show up.
The South Side has at least two active serial rapists, including active in Hyde Park in October, one of whom has been caught.
2006. The burglary patterns in west Hyde Park and other such continue. Lots of activity-homes and high rises. But this has not yet been tied to one or two sets of repeat burglars. Never buzz or let a stranger in! Keep eyes and ears peeled.
The skinny from local police and SECC is that robberies and other violent crimes are down 40% so far in 2006 but burglaries continue up--at double last year's rate. (46 vs 22, and 25 car thefts v 15 last year in January.) Burglaries are concentrated daytime into early evening.
Major pattern alert. Burglaries-robberies-violent crimes soared on the whole mid South Side (but dropped citywide 3.3%) in summer and fall 2005 after an overall drop (with exceptions!!) in the first half of 2005. (More areal details in paragraphs below, including various patterns. The Third District led the area increase, the 21st which includes HP was in the middle. According to the South East Chicago Commission, September in Hyde Park and Kenwood saw an 80 percent increase in aggravated assaults and robberies (each) over same in 2004 and exceeding all in those classes in 2004. This includes 16 related robberies between Blackstone Ave. and Drexel Ave. from September 20 to the end of October. One person appears to be committing the crimes.-black male c 20yo, 150 lb, blue steel handgun. Part of the problem, SECC says, is turf struggle (and initiation) between local "characters" and others displaced by the CHA reorganization. Strong demands for change in police strategy were voiced at the Beat 2131/2133 meeting October 20 at the Neighborhood Club. Police answered staffing is way down and the drug deals are too smart to foil nowadays. But the police asked people to continue to call in detailed anonymous reports. The city finally put the northern section of the problem area on the gang/narcotics loitering area designation, but failed to make this public until weeks later.
Beware white cars bearing thuggers.
The burglary increase. The Chicago Police Department on Feb. 16 said crime in Chicago in January 2006 went up 11.7 percent over the previous January. In the 21st District, robbery and burglary (10.3 vs city 3.1)went up sharply while theft and criminal sexual assault went down. Duel Richardson of the University said in a Feb. 14 general email (Safety Alertness listhost) that "There has been a sharp increase in reported burglaries throughout Hyde Park--South Kenwood since the beginning of November." There were a monthly average of 42 robberies in HP (actually 21st District?) January to July 2005 and 77 August-December. 683 robberies in all--sixth largest increase in the city.
A U of C guard who behaved normally before she lost much money at a casino, took to assaulting a group of women returning from a party late on a December evening near 57th and Kimbark. She was caught due to quick reporting by neighbors on cell phones and victims willing to positively identify. At her December 4 hearing she was charged by prosecutors and on January 4 indicted by a Grand Jury and charged with 15 counts. She remains in jail, with next court date January 26, and could face up to 30 years in jail.
The University has beefed up security on campus, elsewhere in light of an attack on a student and friend at gunpoint October 27. The attack took place near Botany Pond on the north side of campus. This is part of a pattern robbery, and that person has been captured.
UC Police have concentrated additional squad and bike patrols into the main campus.
___________________________
Some general bits and comments
Avery Wormley of the 6100 block of Cottage Grove was charged with shooting a police officer and aggravated assault with a handgun during narcotics investigation in the in the 6200 block of Cottage Grove Dec. 8. Prison time is considerably longer for the same crime if against a public service officer.
One of the most bizarre local crimes was the ritual decapitation of the statue of Mary, Our Lady of Grace after being hauled by vandals from its pedestal to the door of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The pastor pointed to aspects of the crime that suggest a Satanic cult ritual.
West edge violent crime continued, along with a new burglary pattern there. Meanwhile robberies and attacks on the street continue in every part of the neighborhood, any time of day.
North Kenwood-Oakland experienced a 20% increase in violent crime sparked by a 90 percent increase in robberies (53 v 28) this year according to Bob Mason to the North Kenwood Oakland Community Conservation Council. Also, the 3rd District, to the south of Hyde Park, experienced the largest spike, especially in robberies, thefts and burglaries, in the city during summer, 2005, although that was a reversal of significant progress during the first half of the year.
Relations with police keep cropping up. What one sees as policemen doing their duty is seen by another as profiling or even murder. There have been at least three incidents in 2004-2005 of police homicides that are at least unclear. Many distrust the Office of Professional Standards, and even the Coroner's Office in honestly reporting and evaluating these matters. Others say the police turn their backs on crime or group loitering.
The Armstrong family has led several marches, including to police headquarters since the shooting of Mr. Armstrong in a drug bust October 10. Armstrong had 3 convictions and 29 arrests and police had a tip he was coming to a corner in his thunderbird. When he arrived and police closed in, he is alleged to have threatened them with a gun. Those who handled his body at the coroner said he had a single wound to the chest and the bullet exiting could have given the impression of an underarm wound (the latter having been cited as maybe meaning his hands were up.)The police department is facing a staffing crisis from a wave of retirements (involving a vast amount of experience) not being replaced, despite Police and Fire exemption from the July 28 3% across-the-board city budget cut. Residents often say that select foot patrols would do wonders.
Police-the-dots. Superintendent Clyne is putting the resources where the crimes are occurring and the hotspots residents report. Residents are told: call, call, and keep on calling.
August 12 Governor Blagojevich signed legislation taking advantage of federal funds to shut down meth lab operations throughout the state and especially in overwhelmed rural areas that also lack police. The tragedies and heartbreaks being caused by the easy-and-cheap to make drug cannot be overemphasized.
City Council has raised the fine for landlords who ignore citations for abetting/ignoring Gang and Drug House conditions from $500 to $6,000 a day.
What's the truth behind the shooting by police October 10 during a drug bust