West Loop CAPS meeting touches on thefts, “Coffee With A Cop”

By Elizabeth Czapski, Staff Writer

(Published March 18, 2019)

Officers for the 12th District hosted a community meeting for beats 1224 and 1231 on Feb. 13. Officer Luis Crespo hosted the meeting at the Chicago Police Training Division at 1300 W. Jackson Blvd., and nine other officers attended to give their input and answer questions from residents.

Crespo announced that residents will have a chance to meet their local officers, ask questions and voice concerns at “Coffee With A Cop” on Feb. 21 at Ella’s Corner, 1258 W. Jackson, at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the 12th District CAPS office at 312-746-8306.

Moving on to crime, Crespo said the most common crime in the district is theft, specifically theft from autos. Since the last CAPS meeting in mid-December, there have been 44 thefts from vehicles in the district, Crespo said. He added that police have been distributing flyers around the neighborhood and on cars warning people about the thefts, and that people should make sure to lock their cars and take out all visible items.

Crespo mentioned a community alert that went out in January warning businesses about burglaries. He said multiple businesses have been hit, and the perpetrator crouches down and hides in the canvas vestibule in front of the door, knocking out lower windows with a crowbar. He said it’s important for businesses to not keep money in the till when they are closed, and to remove the till and place it on the register. Also, businesses should put computers or iPads out of sight and update their camera systems.

Two recently-graduated probationary officers attended the meeting with their field training officer, and they explained how their training and rotations work.

Officers also explained that UIC police officers work with Chicago police officers in a Joint Robbery Task Force. The detectives in this task force have the highest clearance rate in the city, they said.

The manager of a Walgreens asked officers how to best deal with shoplifters. Officers said to let the shoplifter know you’re aware of who they are, and say you are calling the police when they enter the store.

Members of a condo association board asked about people dealing drugs near their building. Officers said to call 911 any time something seems suspicious, and to be very descriptive.

The next beat meeting will be on April 10 at 7 p.m. at 1300 W. Jackson Blvd.