The Chicago Police Department will be conducting a DUI Strike Force Patrol in the Grand Crossing (003rd) District this weekend. The DUI Strike Force Patrol will commence at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 9th 2016 and end at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 10th 2016.
The Chicago Police Department will conduct a Roadside Safety Check in the Deering (9th) District at 1300 W. Garfield Blvd. The Roadside Safety Check will commence at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8th, 2016 and end at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 9th 2016.
In 2015, Chicago saw the fourth straight year of reductions in overall crime and
the fewest violent crime incidents since the 1960’s. Since 2011, overall crime in Chicago has
fallen by more than 37 percent – across the FBI’s combined major crime indices (homicide, rape,
robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, felony theft, motor vehicle theft and arson).
While overall crime continued to fall in 2015, gun violence in Chicago rose – as was the case in
many major urban centers across the country last year. That did not apply, however, to juvenile
victims – which is significant. There was a 33 percent decline in juvenile murder victims in 2015,
and a 14 percent decline in juvenile shooting victims.
“2015 was a year of hard work and real progress but also real challenges,” said Interim Police
Superintendent John Escalante. “I’m proud that we continue to see an overall reduction crime in
Chicago; however we clearly have a lot of work ahead of us. In addition to building upon our public
safety accomplishments, our focus for 2016 year will be to restore the trust of the people of
Chicago by being more transparent and continuing to work with our external partners to take a
critical look at our department to develop best-in-class policies and practices.”
This alert gives notice to citizens residing in the 003rd District (Grand Crossing) of burglary incidents which have occurred during the month of December. In these incidents, offender(s) gain entry into a residence and take property from therein.
Incident times and locations:
This alert gives notice to citizens in the 003rd District (Grand Crossing) of robbery related incidents have occurred during the month of December. In these incidents, the offender approaches victims, requests cigarettes, displays handgun and demands property. In both instances, the offender flees in what is described as a silver or grey vehicle. Incident times and locations are listed below:
About the offender:
Major Taser Expansion Also Announced as Another Tool to Help Reduce Lethal Confrontations
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Interim Police Superintendent John Escalante today announced a major overhaul of the policy regarding how officers respond to incidents and the use of physical and lethal force, as well as a significant expansion in the number of officers trained and equipped with Tasers. The policy changes center around de-escalation tactics to reduce the intensity of a conflict or a potentially violent situation at the earliest possible moment, emphasizing that the foremost goal is to protect the safety of all involved.
“These policy changes are part of our ongoing effort to completely reform the system and policing culture in Chicago to ensure the safety of every resident and restore the trust that is necessary for our police officers to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Our police officers operate in dangerous and difficult circumstances every day. It is essential that they have the right guidance, training, and tactics to ensure the safety of our residents and themselves.”
While recent events have brought this issue to the forefront, for far too long Chicago – like cities around the country – has faced too many incidents where officers have shot and killed people who were not armed with guns. There need to be fundamental changes because even when force may be legally justified, it doesn’t mean it’s necessary. In some cases, there were missed opportunities to reduce tension, to slow things down, or to call in specially trained teams in the minutes before the shootings occurred.
Additionally, at the Mayor’s direction CPD will launch a major expansion of access to and training on Tasers.. The goal is to expand alternatives to deadly force. Tasers can, when used properly and with the right training, provide such an alternative. By June 1, 2016, every officer responding to calls for service will be equipped with a Taser and trained to use it properly. This will include: 1) adding 700 Tasers, enough to equip every CPD officer who responds to calls for service on every shift and increasing the total number of Tasers available to officers to 1,481; 2) training every officer who responds to calls for service in the use of Tasers; and 3) implementing and enforcing procedures to ensure all trained officers are issued a Taser at the start of their shift.
“These enhancements will ultimately equip Chicago Police officers with the necessary tools and training to gain control of fast-changing situations and help create the safest environment possible for police officers and the citizens we serve,” said Interim Superintendent John Escalante. “In the end, we must use every resource at our disposal to uphold our goal of ultimately resolving incidents with the highest possible regard for the preservation of human life and the safety of all persons involved.”
Together, these new policies make it clear CPD expects officers to develop and display the skills and abilities that allow them to regularly resolve confrontations without resorting to deadly force. Officers should de-escalate and use Force Mitigation principles at the earliest possible moment. Officers will continually assess the situation and will need to ask themselves a series of key questions as an event unfolds, such as:
• What exactly is happening?
• How serious is the risk or threat?
• What is the full range of options for how to respond?
• Do I need to take action immediately or can I slow the situation down and buy more time?
• Can I create more distance to make the situation safer?
• Can I de-escalate the tension by talking to the offender?
• Am I the best person to deal with this or should I request assistance from Specialized Units
such as a Crisis Intervention Team?”
Starting next week, the Police Department will immediately begin training on the new Force Mitigation policy with a presentation to command staff, a streaming video for all officers, and roll call training. In the very near future more intensive, in-service and scenario-based training will also be conducted. Continuance training on improving de-escalation tactics and Crisis Intervention strategies for dealing with mentally ill persons, homeless persons, and other challenging situations will also be provided.
Chicago Police officers will continually assess any situation to which they are responding to evaluate force options, including whether force is necessary, appropriate, and able to be modified based on changing circumstances. Chicago Police officers are expected to adhere to all Department policies and procedures to ensure a dignified and effective response in critical incidents.
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This alert gives notice to businesses and citizens of recent convenience store robberies that occurred on December 22nd and 24th in the 016th District (Jefferson Park) and 017th District (Albany Park). In these incidents, three offenders entered the stores and robbed them at gunpoint.
Alston Rodriguez, 18 was arrested after officers observed him attempting to illegally enter a residence through a window in the 2100 block of West Rosemont. This incident occurred on December 24, 2015 at approximately 1:00 a.m. Rodriguez was identified as the offender in multiple residential burglaries in the area and officers were able to recover proceeds that included several Christmas gifts. Rodriguez was charged accordingly. No further information is available at this time.
Click here for more information on the Arrest of Alston Rodriguez
Silvestre Garcia, was arrested after he was identified as the driver of a silver Chrysler that struck and killed a pedestrian in the 4200 block of W. Ogden Ave. This crash occurred on December 24, 2015 at approximately 9:50 p.m. Garcia was traveling westbound on Ogden when he struck a pregnant female who was crossing Ogden Avenue northbound. The 26- year-old female victim was taken to Mt. Sinai in critical condition where she delivered a premature baby. The baby is listed in stable condition but the mother was ultimately pronounced. Garcia was charged accordingly. No further information available at this time.
Click here for more information on the arrest of Silvestre Garcia
The Chicago Police Department, working in conjunction with the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and the office of 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, has concluded an investigation which will result in the immediate, temporary closure of a licensed nightclub establishment in the 14th(Shakespeare) District. The closure was made possible by the recently passed Summary Closure ordinance, which gives police the ability to order the temporary closure of establishments that are deemed public safety threats. The closure will be effective for a period of six months or until the establishment works with CPD and city officials to develop an approved public safety plan to ensure it no longer threatens public welfare.
