NOBLE SQUARE — A spike in armed robberies and theft prompted a community police meeting to be moved to the block where many of the incidents occurred, drawing a crowd so big that a bullhorn was needed to go over crime statistics.
About 80 residents gathered at the corner of Bosworth Avenue and Blackhawk Street in Noble Square on Thursday for the Beat 1433 community policing meeting, led by a small army of police from the Shakespeare Police District including Cmdr. Frank Valadez.
After thanking everyone for coming out, Valadez stressed the importance of "Knowing each other, talking to each other and looking out for each other."
Several residents, who are members of the Bosworth Block Club, complained of slow police response.
When a man asked why it took 10 minutes for police to come to the block after shots were fired at a car, resulting in a broken car window but no injuries, Officer Gretchen Chavez replied, "We will look for an offending vehicle first before a victim, if the victim is okay."
One man was concerned about young people in the area listening to police scanners and running off before police arrive.
"I have heard them listening to the scanner," said the man who said he was "jumped at" while jogging a few weeks ago.
Officer Joseph Giambrone told the man that he can request "a silent dispatch" when calling 911, so that others cannot hear where police are going next.
Using a bullhorn, Chavez delivered the statistics for the "Top 10 Crimes" for Beat 1433 from June 19-Aug. 21.
For Beat 1433 — bordered by Armitage Avenue, Division Street, Wood Street and Ada Street — there were 27 reports of theft of items over $500 and six armed robberies during the two-month period.
That's compared to 11 reports of theft over $500 and one armed robbery in the two-month period ending in mid-June.
Theft of items under $500 remained steady, with 29 reports during the current period, up from 27 in the prior two months. Retail theft was also up, with 20 reports as compared to 12 in the prior period.
Most of the armed robberies occurred in the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Cleaver Street between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Chavez said.
Chavez said police are aware of a pattern.
"Detectives are aware of it, that is why we decided to come here," Chavez said.
After the meeting, reactions to the outdoor format, which included grilled hot dogs, were favorable.
"We tend to get on Facebook when we have concerns and can't all make it out to St. Mary's [for meetings], so this was nice. It would be great to have more meetings that are less formal and more social," said Lindsay DiLeo.
David Susen, who lives on the opposite corner where the meeting took place, was not aware there was a meeting happening until he went outside of his apartment to smoke a cigarette.
"I watched from a distance and ended up walking over. My curiosity got the best of me. I thought it was cool to see communication between law enforcement and average citizens," Susen said.
After the meeting, Valadez said, "I wish every meeting was this big," adding that Thursday was the largest turnout for a CAPS meeting he has seen in nearly two years as commander.
"All positive, no finger pointing. It's about everyone getting together the old-fashioned way," Valadez said.
Beat 1432/33's next meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at St. Mary of the Angel's Church, 1850 N. Hermitage Ave. in Bucktown. Follow the Shakespeare District's Twitter updates at @ChicagoCAPS14.
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