HUMBOLDT PARK — Chicago Police Sgt. Juan Clas said the shooting death of resident Fabian Echevarria was "not gang-related" at a Tuesday night Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting that drew 15 residents, nearly three times the average number of attendees.
Echevarria, 24, was shot and killed not far from his home in the 900 block of North Mozart Street around 8 p.m. March 19. His family described him as an "outstanding father, friend, brother and son ... a true family man," on a GoFundMe page set up to cover his funeral expenses.
A lively discussion on local gang activity, neighborhood divisions and demographic changes in Humboldt Park was posted on Everyblock the day after Echevarria was killed and continued until Monday night, with many wondering whether the spike in gun violence signaled a spike in gang violence on the block.
"Detectives classify whether it's gang-related and they determined that it wasn't," Clas said. "They're still working on it. They've got some leads, and that's it."
Whether Echevarria's slaying was gang-related came up after someone asked why the site of the homicide was not placed on the beat's "hot spot" list.
A hot spot, according to Clas, allows police to enforce stricter loitering laws for areas known for a high volume of gang- and drug-related incidents. Even if Echevarria's shooting was gang-related, that wouldn't be enough for hot-spot designation, Officer Paris Edwards said.
"One homicide is not gonna get it," Edwards said. "We have 12 to 15 hot spots in the whole entire district, as large as this district is. Unfortunately, that means you're competing with other blocks."
Clas said in designated hot spots, officers can strictly enforce loitering laws and follow up with arrests.
"If they're flashing gang signs or loitering, officers can go there and say [that person] has to leave for a certain number of hours," Clas said. "If they come back, they're subject to arrest."
The officers suggested that residents set up call trees, contact their alderman, submit letters, and rally community organizations, block clubs, churches, and schools to advocate for locations they believe should be hot spots.
"Anything suspicious is 911, not 311," Clas said. "Any time you see a car or person who doesn't belong ... we want you to call 911."
He added that residents should never put themselves in jeopardy, but should practice giving good descriptions of suspects when they make calls, including height, weight, shoes, pants, jackets, facial hair and other distinguishing characteristics of a suspect.
The next CAPS meeting will be held at 7 p.m. June 2 in the basement of St. Helen's School, 2347 W. Augusta Blvd.
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