I feel like there's been an uptick in shooting recently. On the Chicago Crime Blog people have put the address of buildings that they saw the shooters running into. Have the people that posted this information told it to the police? And there has been talk about going after the building owners. Has anyone actually begun that process? If not, someone tell me what I need to do and I will get it started...
UptownGirl- Filling out a "Gang and Drug House Form" which can be found under our USEFUL LINKS is a great start. That goes for everyone else who wants to help. The addresses where the gangbangers are hiding/live is in the post of the Crime Blotter site.
I don't actually live in Uptown (like I've said many times before, I live in Edgwater but we have a vested interest in what goes on in Uptown). What's the rule regarding someone from here filling out a Gang and Drug House Form for an Uptown residence even though we don't live there?
Anyone can fill that information out. However, it may be even more useful to also attend the CAPS meetings for the District and inform the police of the exact addresses. That way, they can hopefully keep an eye on those addresses and make some arrests.
There is an ordinance in the City (8-4-090 I believe) that is actively prosecuted by the City of Chicago's Law Department called the "Drug and Gang House" Ordinance. Here's a quick summary of how it works: A property can be prosecuted under the ordinance if there is one felony or at least two misdemeanors that occur on the property within 6 months. Here's what happens: the police department discusses the problem properties with the law department once a month, the law department tries to prosecute 3-5 of these buildings at the Department of Administrative Hearings or Circuit Court (depends on the severity of the Building Code violations, will get to that in a minute)once a month. Please note that not all properties where a felony or two misdemeanors are committed are prosecuted for a number of reasons. The law department must ensure that the properties meet the legal standard before being able to make a good prima facia case and go forward with the prosecutions. The felony or misdemeanors must have a nexis to the property that can be proven in court.
The properties that are accepted by the law department for potential prosecution are then referred to the Buildings Department's Strategic Task Force who conducts inspections of the buildings for building code violations. If the building has a lot of "dangerous and hazardous" conditions, the law department will often prosecute these in circuit court.
Now, the difference between circuit court and administrative hearings: in Circuit Court there are a lot more legal remedies the law department has to require these landlords to fix up their properties. However, the main focus is usually on curing the buidling code violations and this can take time; and if it requires the buidling to be vacated, then you are looking at a vacan property on your hands (which must be secured and maintained secure). In administrative hearings, the focus is usually on getting the owners to agree to evict the problem tenants, take a number of security measures and such to try to ensure that the criminal activity does not occur on the property again and then pay a small fine (fines at Administrative hearings are capped at $50,000 although you will rarely see a fine more than a couple thousand dollars; the fines are unlimited in Circuit Court).
The community could be extremely helpful in the prosecution of these cases, a big problem the law department often has when prosecuting these kinds of properties from elsewhere in the City is that the neighbors and the neighborhood do not get involved for fear of retribution by the gangs so even though these community members see these people using the property for illicit purposes they don't say anything or assist in the prosecutions. Fortunutely, Uptown and Area 3 for the most part, is different. If you see a building around you being used for criminal activity I would suggest that you keep a log of the event and detailed notes and present the information at CAPS meetings, call the police, and get involved in any prosecutions, find out who the City attorney will be and call him or her and express your concern and desire to get involved with prosecuting these properties, they will likely really appreciate it.
Finally, what appears to be the problem for the ordinance for a lot of these properties is that the shootings and other crimes occur away from the properties and the gang members just use the properties to hide out in or live in. There is another type of case that is prosecuted by the same unit that is prosecuted solely for building code violations. These properties often have many problems but for one reason or another are not really eligible to be prosecuted under 8-4-090. However, when the law department brings these buidlings into court if they have the information about the individuals that are involved with the criminal activity and residing in these buildings, the law department gives this information to the landlord and advises them that they need to get the people out or they could be facing much stiffer penalties in the future. I'm not really sure how to report these buidlings since they usually come directly from the police department, but you should definately give the addresses in your CAPS meetings and tell them what has been going on and that you want to see the properties referred to the law department and you can try calling 311, although I'm not sure if that will work all that well.
I hope this information helps you. I'm proud of this community for being so proactive, it truly is rare in this City.
great info. I was wondering if anything could be done about a building where gangbangers are residing but no actual crimes have taken place. You answered that, although I would tell others to still keep an eye out. Drug sales are part and parcel with gangbanging and they may either be selling drugs in or near the building or providing the supply. Keep an eye out for a steady stream of "customers" or different cars every few minutes.
Is everyone aware that overtime for CAPS is being cut and that may change who is at the meetings? I have been thinking a lot lately how there is a growing interest in people getting involved with CAPS just as the program appears to be undergoing some changes (mostly connected to funding.)
In another note, it looks like UU will be up to half a million hits this week! [insert whistful sigh] It was just yesterday when we celebrated 250,000.
Drug selling is one of the main activities the law department prosecutes in regards to these properties. So, if you see something that you suspect is people dealing drugs, document what you see with details, call the police and give them the details at your CAPS meetings. Also, if you can give the police an address and a description of the offenders, that is very helpful.
I'm all about cleaning up these buildings but due to my work situation I am unable to attend court (or really see anything going on since where I live it is very quiet). So I wanted to help out in any way I could.
Sooner----what a great summary. Thank you for the time it took to explain how this all works. It needs documentation from residents to actually work. Just reading about a incident on a blog and filling out a form are not going to get you very far. I know everyone wants to do something to stop this but we need hands on accurate reporting.
The information should be taken to a CAPS meeting and make sure it is forwarded to the Problem Building coordintator in Area 3.
Just posted on chicagotribune, Chicago is receiving federal $$ for anti-gang initiatives: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-anti-gang-money-12-both-aug12,0,772807.story
CAPS is dead, thank God. The final nail in the coffin was hammered home last week when the Superintendent decreed that there will be no overtime for CAPS meetings anymore. The CAPS program was nothing more than a vehicle to employ those connected individuals who were otherwise unemployable. Perhaps now that the burden of CAPS has been lifted from the neck of the CPD, the CPD can get back to doing Police work.
Bid Daddy... are you happy about the supposed cut of CAPS because now Uptown residents will find it even more difficult to know what crime is occurring in their neighborhood and what they can do about it? Is it because it will be that much harder for residents to have a credible source to cite when they speak to their paid city/state reps regarding crime in their community?
Yea, I bet that is good news for you... and Shiller. What crime? Uptown doesn't have any!
Farrell- The CAPS program is a complete waste of money and resources, money and resources which could be better spent hiring more Police Officers. If you want to keep up on the crime stats in your area, there are ways of obtaining it other than requiring the Officers to devote so much time to a defunct program. The City doesn't need to create another patronage program with a budget that exceeds 5 million anually at a minimum which is exactly what the CAPS program is. A public relations program that accomplishes nothing. Send those Police Officers that work in the CAPS office back to the street fighting crime, where they belong. Stop requiring Officers to spend the enormous amount of time that they currently do filling out CAPS related forms and other related items and let them go back on the street instead of sitting at a computer trying to pacify those that think CAPS is a valuable tool.
If anyone believes the purpose of CAPS is to pacify residents and give information about crime, then they are clueless about CAPS and its proven effectiveness. If you want to stay in the dark, be my guest. Honestly though, you're sounding like Helen and her merry band of kool aid drinkers.
Holy molely, Big Daddy is not saying anything that the cops on secondcitycop don't say all the time about CAPS. They really don't see it is effective, the program is full of "clout babies," yields some of their power and mystique to the aldermen and the money would be better spent getting more cops on the beat. (I am just repeating what I have read. These are not my opinions.) It sounds to me like this person's perspective is not coming from "Helen's band of merry Kool-Aid drinkers" (love that!) because we all know they hate CAPS.
So if CAPS will be wounded due to funding and lack of commitment coming from the CPD, how do you think we can keep on with the positive thing that you feel come out of CAPS in its absence? Or, should we be actively fighting to keep the CAPS model alive?
When I lived in Beat 2311, I remember calling 911 every Sunday morning when I witnessed an apartment resident selling beer from his front door before the liquor stores opened. The police would come out and say they didn't see anything. The full extent of the problem was discussed at CAPS, and the police were able to make an arrest.
After the man was arrested, 2 very scared pre-adolescent Spanish-speaking girls came forward and told police the man arrested had been sodomizing them for years. Further investigation uncovered the needed evidence to convict this man and he's now in prison.
That one time alone makes CAPS worth it for me but honestly, there are many success stories of the police and citizens working together. I've learned how to spot drug deals. The helpful hints to address crime found on UCC's website were all learned through CAPS.
I don't like it that we can no longer get consistent leadership from the police to assist with the CAPS meetings and I believe it will be a step back. However, I don't believe some persistent residents will let CAPS become ineffective on their beat. That's not to say that I won't be personally writing a letter to ask for a change in this new policy.
It was through CAPS that I really started becoming involved with this community. One way or another, it will continue to be effective.
I feel like there's been an uptick in shooting recently. On the Chicago Crime Blog people have put the address of buildings that they saw the shooters running into. Have the people that posted this information told it to the police? And there has been talk about going after the building owners. Has anyone actually begun that process? If not, someone tell me what I need to do and I will get it started...
ReplyDeleteUptownGirl-
ReplyDeleteFilling out a "Gang and Drug House Form" which can be found under our USEFUL LINKS is a great start. That goes for everyone else who wants to help. The addresses where the gangbangers are hiding/live is in the post of the Crime Blotter site.
it's more than an "uptick". Almost every other night since Wed of last week there has been at least one shooting.
ReplyDeleteYay for chilly Summer nights in Uptown where temperatures call for hoodies that can be discarded after committing crimes.
ReplyDeleteI don't actually live in Uptown (like I've said many times before, I live in Edgwater but we have a vested interest in what goes on in Uptown). What's the rule regarding someone from here filling out a Gang and Drug House Form for an Uptown residence even though we don't live there?
ReplyDeleteAnyone can fill that information out. However, it may be even more useful to also attend the CAPS meetings for the District and inform the police of the exact addresses. That way, they can hopefully keep an eye on those addresses and make some arrests.
ReplyDeleteThere is an ordinance in the City (8-4-090 I believe) that is actively prosecuted by the City of Chicago's Law Department called the "Drug and Gang House" Ordinance. Here's a quick summary of how it works: A property can be prosecuted under the ordinance if there is one felony or at least two misdemeanors that occur on the property within 6 months. Here's what happens: the police department discusses the problem properties with the law department once a month, the law department tries to prosecute 3-5 of these buildings at the Department of Administrative Hearings or Circuit Court (depends on the severity of the Building Code violations, will get to that in a minute)once a month. Please note that not all properties where a felony or two misdemeanors are committed are prosecuted for a number of reasons. The law department must ensure that the properties meet the legal standard before being able to make a good prima facia case and go forward with the prosecutions. The felony or misdemeanors must have a nexis to the property that can be proven in court.
The properties that are accepted by the law department for potential prosecution are then referred to the Buildings Department's Strategic Task Force who conducts inspections of the buildings for building code violations. If the building has a lot of "dangerous and hazardous" conditions, the law department will often prosecute these in circuit court.
Now, the difference between circuit court and administrative hearings: in Circuit Court there are a lot more legal remedies the law department has to require these landlords to fix up their properties. However, the main focus is usually on curing the buidling code violations and this can take time; and if it requires the buidling to be vacated, then you are looking at a vacan property on your hands (which must be secured and maintained secure). In administrative hearings, the focus is usually on getting the owners to agree to evict the problem tenants, take a number of security measures and such to try to ensure that the criminal activity does not occur on the property again and then pay a small fine (fines at Administrative hearings are capped at $50,000 although you will rarely see a fine more than a couple thousand dollars; the fines are unlimited in Circuit Court).
The community could be extremely helpful in the prosecution of these cases, a big problem the law department often has when prosecuting these kinds of properties from elsewhere in the City is that the neighbors and the neighborhood do not get involved for fear of retribution by the gangs so even though these community members see these people using the property for illicit purposes they don't say anything or assist in the prosecutions. Fortunutely, Uptown and Area 3 for the most part, is different. If you see a building around you being used for criminal activity I would suggest that you keep a log of the event and detailed notes and present the information at CAPS meetings, call the police, and get involved in any prosecutions, find out who the City attorney will be and call him or her and express your concern and desire to get involved with prosecuting these properties, they will likely really appreciate it.
Finally, what appears to be the problem for the ordinance for a lot of these properties is that the shootings and other crimes occur away from the properties and the gang members just use the properties to hide out in or live in. There is another type of case that is prosecuted by the same unit that is prosecuted solely for building code violations. These properties often have many problems but for one reason or another are not really eligible to be prosecuted under 8-4-090. However, when the law department brings these buidlings into court if they have the information about the individuals that are involved with the criminal activity and residing in these buildings, the law department gives this information to the landlord and advises them that they need to get the people out or they could be facing much stiffer penalties in the future. I'm not really sure how to report these buidlings since they usually come directly from the police department, but you should definately give the addresses in your CAPS meetings and tell them what has been going on and that you want to see the properties referred to the law department and you can try calling 311, although I'm not sure if that will work all that well.
I hope this information helps you. I'm proud of this community for being so proactive, it truly is rare in this City.
Sooneratkent...
ReplyDeletegreat info. I was wondering if anything could be done about a building where gangbangers are residing but no actual crimes have taken place. You answered that, although I would tell others to still keep an eye out. Drug sales are part and parcel with gangbanging and they may either be selling drugs in or near the building or providing the supply. Keep an eye out for a steady stream of "customers" or different cars every few minutes.
Is everyone aware that overtime for CAPS is being cut and that may change who is at the meetings? I have been thinking a lot lately how there is a growing interest in people getting involved with CAPS just as the program appears to be undergoing some changes (mostly connected to funding.)
ReplyDeleteIn another note, it looks like UU will be up to half a million hits this week! [insert whistful sigh] It was just yesterday when we celebrated 250,000.
Drug selling is one of the main activities the law department prosecutes in regards to these properties. So, if you see something that you suspect is people dealing drugs, document what you see with details, call the police and give them the details at your CAPS meetings. Also, if you can give the police an address and a description of the offenders, that is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about cleaning up these buildings but due to my work situation I am unable to attend court (or really see anything going on since where I live it is very quiet). So I wanted to help out in any way I could.
Sooner----what a great summary. Thank you for the time it took to explain how this all works. It needs documentation from residents to actually work. Just reading about a incident on a blog and filling out a form are not going to get you very far. I know everyone wants to do something to stop this but we need hands on accurate reporting.
ReplyDeleteThe information should be taken to a CAPS meeting and make sure it is forwarded to the Problem Building coordintator in Area 3.
maybe CAPS will receive more funding!
ReplyDeleteJust posted on chicagotribune, Chicago is receiving federal $$ for anti-gang initiatives: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-anti-gang-money-12-both-aug12,0,772807.story
CAPS is dead, thank God. The final nail in the coffin was hammered home last week when the Superintendent decreed that there will be no overtime for CAPS meetings anymore. The CAPS program was nothing more than a vehicle to employ those connected individuals who were otherwise unemployable. Perhaps now that the burden of CAPS has been lifted from the neck of the CPD, the CPD can get back to doing Police work.
ReplyDeleteBid Daddy... are you happy about the supposed cut of CAPS because now Uptown residents will find it even more difficult to know what crime is occurring in their neighborhood and what they can do about it? Is it because it will be that much harder for residents to have a credible source to cite when they speak to their paid city/state reps regarding crime in their community?
ReplyDeleteYea, I bet that is good news for you... and Shiller. What crime? Uptown doesn't have any!
Well actually being updated on crime wouldn't be that hard to know about, not with the existence of UU that is.
ReplyDeleteFarrell- The CAPS program is a complete waste of money and resources, money and resources which could be better spent hiring more Police Officers. If you want to keep up on the crime stats in your area, there are ways of obtaining it other than requiring the Officers to devote so much time to a defunct program. The City doesn't need to create another patronage program with a budget that exceeds 5 million anually at a minimum which is exactly what the CAPS program is. A public relations program that accomplishes nothing. Send those Police Officers that work in the CAPS office back to the street fighting crime, where they belong. Stop requiring Officers to spend the enormous amount of time that they currently do filling out CAPS related forms and other related items and let them go back on the street instead of sitting at a computer trying to pacify those that think CAPS is a valuable tool.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone believes the purpose of CAPS is to pacify residents and give information about crime, then they are clueless about CAPS and its proven effectiveness. If you want to stay in the dark, be my guest. Honestly though, you're sounding like Helen and her merry band of kool aid drinkers.
ReplyDeleteHoly molely, Big Daddy is not saying anything that the cops on secondcitycop don't say all the time about CAPS. They really don't see it is effective, the program is full of "clout babies," yields some of their power and mystique to the aldermen and the money would be better spent getting more cops on the beat. (I am just repeating what I have read. These are not my opinions.) It sounds to me like this person's perspective is not coming from "Helen's band of merry Kool-Aid drinkers" (love that!) because we all know they hate CAPS.
ReplyDeleteSo if CAPS will be wounded due to funding and lack of commitment coming from the CPD, how do you think we can keep on with the positive thing that you feel come out of CAPS in its absence? Or, should we be actively fighting to keep the CAPS model alive?
When I lived in Beat 2311, I remember calling 911 every Sunday morning when I witnessed an apartment resident selling beer from his front door before the liquor stores opened. The police would come out and say they didn't see anything. The full extent of the problem was discussed at CAPS, and the police were able to make an arrest.
ReplyDeleteAfter the man was arrested, 2 very scared pre-adolescent Spanish-speaking girls came forward and told police the man arrested had been sodomizing them for years. Further investigation uncovered the needed evidence to convict this man and he's now in prison.
That one time alone makes CAPS worth it for me but honestly, there are many success stories of the police and citizens working together. I've learned how to spot drug deals. The helpful hints to address crime found on UCC's website were all learned through CAPS.
I don't like it that we can no longer get consistent leadership from the police to assist with the CAPS meetings and I believe it will be a step back. However, I don't believe some persistent residents will let CAPS become ineffective on their beat. That's not to say that I won't be personally writing a letter to ask for a change in this new policy.
It was through CAPS that I really started becoming involved with this community. One way or another, it will continue to be effective.