LINCOLN SQUARE — In response to recent break-ins and shootings, neighbors and officers with the Lincoln (20th) District loitered in Winnemac Park Saturday.
The police-sanctioned, "positive loitering" effort was coordinated so neighbors and police could send a message that the recent spate of violence will not be tolerated.
"They say, 'No more violence in our community. No criminal element will be allowed," said Officer Mark Czapla of the Lincoln Square neighbors.
Czapla, the district's CAPS officer, said the idea for the loitering event originated with the district's new commander, Sean Loughran, after residents at a recent CAPS meeting wanted to make a visible showing after recent crimes.
Neighbors meet with police in Winnemac Park Saturday. [DNAinfo/Joe Ward]
So, on Saturday a group of about 30 neighbors, many with kids and dogs, took to the park and began walking around the area. A few held signs saying "stop the violence."
"With strength in numbers, we can make a difference," Czapla told the group.
The showing on Saturday was in direct response to recent crimes, including:
• A shooting on Jan. 6, which started on Lawrence Avenue and spilled over onto Bell and Argyle, just blocks from the park.
• The Jan. 20 armed robbery of Windy City Liquors, 4959 N. Damen Ave.
• Reports of shots fired at Winnemac Park, 5101 N. Leavitt St., in the early hours of Jan. 29. Police combed the area twice — immediately after calls to 911 and again at 8 a.m. — and no shell casings or other damage were found after "extensive searches," Loughran said.
Many residents at the loitering event told police of break-in problems. Though they said crime had spiked in the area, residents said Lincoln Square is a family-friendly neighborhood that does not tolerate crime
"It has the reputation of being one of the safest ones in the city," said Mary Dina. "We want to keep it that way."
The Saturday event was also a rare opportunity to interact with on-duty police officers in the field.
Before walking around, neighbors huddled with Czapla and other officers, citing specific issues and asking how they can help officers root out crime. They requested more officers on bikes and near parks.
Czapla told the neighbors how police were addressing the problems, by adding gang units and having officers look into problematic and vacant properties.
The Lincoln District also plans a roll-call for officers at Winnemac Park Saturday evening. The public roll-call, where officers learn of recent issues and receive instructions for the day, is another way for neighbors to interact with police, Czapla said.
"We want to unite the community," he said. "The people here are united in rooting out the problem."
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