CPD: Crime down in New Eastside area

October brought good news to New Eastside residents as Officer Necole Bryson announced crime was down significantly.

“Why? I don’t know, because the weather was warm until this week, she said in early October.

However, Bryson had some ideas. She said crime could be down because there are more officers out and about, and Sgt. Anthony Dombrowski had recently done community safety presentations, so that might have also had a precautionary effect.

Dombrowski, who usually attends this CAPS meeting, was out on vacation this month.

Bryson said small crime, particularly phone snatching, is still a problem because people keep their phones in their back pockets or they stare at their phones as they walk down the street and don’t pay attention.

Bucket Boys Noise

In addition, Bryson said as the weather turns colder she expects more car thefts as people leave their cars running to run in and grab a coffee or some other quick thing. Police also warned residents to hide valuables in their cars, and if someone approaches their vehicle, to not roll the window all the way down.

As usual, residents complained about the noise of so-called “bucket boys,” street performers who beat on drums. One woman in the audience said the boys have recently been hired to play at Bulls games.

“The thing about the street performers is, we try not to call them bucket boys,” Bryson said. “Some of them have permits to perform. Not all of them, but some of them do.”

Residents asked if street performers—even those allowed to perform—knew the rules, including the permitted times of performance. People in the audience alleged that some of the performers play past the legal performance time.

Bryson said performers know the rules—the time limits are on the permits—but street performing in tourist areas is lucrative, so even a fine isn’t much of a deterrent.

Still, residents said the noise becomes unbearable, particularly with bands, and one woman suggested the city force the performers to move during the day so that residents wouldn’t be subjected to the noise all day long.

Dumpsters Left Trashed

Residents also complained of trashy dumpsters near DePaul and Jackson between State Street and Wabash Avenue.

“It’s mind-boggling how awful it is. It’s like a rat’s nest,” the woman said.

The police informed residents that citations can be given for trashy dumpsters, and residents need only call Alderman Brendan Reilly’s office to complain.

“They can’t have garbage everywhere,” Bryson said. She added that even if the business that owns the dumpster didn’t litter, they’re still responsible for the dumpster and the area.

Elevator Going (and Staying) Down

After that, a woman reported that the elevator by Macy’s at the pedway is unreliable. She said her husband depends on a motorized scooter and he cannot use the stairs. Bryson said they’d reach out to Macy’s and “see what’s going on.”

“We have a pretty good relationship with Macy’s,” Bryson said. “They’re pretty reliable.”

Summer Success Stories

One resident asked Bryson how the summer was generally.

Bryson said Lollapalooza and the Chicago Marathon both went well, with no major incidents.

“We’re a large event district and we’ve become experts at the things we do,” Bryson explained. “Everyone was on high alert.”

Bryson said the Lollapalooza contract runs through 2021, and at that point they will have to renegotiate with the city.

Races Running

In November, the New Eastside will host two races, the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k on Nov. 4 and the Turkey Trot on Nov. 22. The Thanksgiving Day parade will wend its way through the New Eastside on Nov. 22 as well.

Coming Up

One area resident announced that the 310 South Michigan building will be getting a new CVS soon.

The next New Eastside CAPS meeting will be Nov. 8 at 400 East Randolph St. In December there will be no CAPS meeting and the January meeting will also be at 400 East Randolph St.