Ald. Cappleman: Largest Drug Bust In Years Nabs 34 In Sheridan Park

Ald. Cappleman at today's press conference announcing a major drug bust,
with Chief Anthony Riccio of the CPD's Bureau of Organized Crime

"The largest drug bust in Uptown in many years occurred over the last few days in the Sheridan Park area, with a total of 34 individuals who are in the process of indictment. Undercover officers were involved with drug buys over the last 6 weeks from these individuals who were arrested, which will make it much easier to obtain convictions. Click here to view CPD's press release.

A special thanks to 19th Police District Commander Cesario, members of the Chicago Police Department, and the residents of Sheridan Park who continued to call 911 and participate in CAPS so that the police had enough information to carry out this operation.

Yesterday, I contacted the Cook County State's Attorney's Office Community Justice Center to follow these arrests so that we can send a very clear message that drug dealing in this community will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

I will also be working with the 19th Police District Court Advocacy to help organize residents to serve as court advocates when the court hearing date is set. Court Advocates send a clear message to the judge that the community is concerned about public safety and are focused on having justice served. Having community members as advocates at these hearings makes a big difference in the outcome of these cases.  Please join me as a court advocate by calling the 19th Police District CAPS office at 312-744-0064.

You can also help by attending a series of events throughout the July 4th weekend where community residents are welcomed to gather together for an ice cream social, police outdoor roll call, and positive loitering events in the Sheridan Park area. A special thanks to members of the Sheridan Park Neighbors who are helping to make some of these events happen. Click here to view the calendar of events."

Update: Crime in Wrigleyville has identified 13 of the 27 people arrested so far in this operation. Seven remain on the loose and have had warrants issued for their arrests. Of the 13 ID'd by the blog,

• Three people give their address as 4621 North Sheridan (Grasmere Place care center and nursing home)
• One gives his address as 4506 North Sheridan (Neon Street shelter)
• One gives her address as 4750 North Sheridan (ICA Building, with many social services as tenants)
• One gives his address as 4943 North Kenmore (Northmere SRO).
• One gives his address as 4615 North Clifton (Cornerstone Community Outreach)
• One gives his address as 941 West Lawrence (Preston Bradley Center)
• Three give addresses outside of Uptown.

We realize that many transient people don't actually live at the addresses they have on their identification, but use them as places to receive mail and get occasional services. This may very well be the case with the majority of the arrestees. But if any of them actually are clients of the social services whose addresses they claim, we hope the services step up their game and keep a closer eye on their clientele to keep them on the right side of the law.