LINCOLN SQUARE — In the wake of a recent violent crimes, including a drive-by shooting on Lawrence Avenue and the murder of cab driver Kamil Shamji near Sulzer Library, prosecutors and police officers will meet with residents of Lincoln Square to discuss ways members of the community can help make the neighborhood safer.
The strategy session is being co-hosted by the Cook County State's Attorney's North Side Community Justice Center and the Foster and Town Hall police districts.
The meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 23 at the Foster District station, 5400 N. Lincoln Ave.
There are four Community Justice Centers in Chicago, including the North Side office at 5333 N. Western Ave.
Staff at the centers prosecute local crimes, seek to address chronic issues, identify repeat offenders who have a negative impact on the community, and also work with neighbors and police to prevent crime.
Assistant State's Attorney Joy Repella oversees the centers and participated in a recent CAPS meeting held after the Lawrence Avenue shooting.
Repella has been prosecuting the case against the man accused in the 2015 murder of Dushanti Hassell, who was killed in an alley near Winnemac and Argyle.
In a 2014 interview with National Public Radio, Repella explained how she worked with community members in Uptown to tackle a problem building by targeting specific troublemakers, including one offender who had 107 prior arrests.
To attend the Lincoln Square safety session, RSVP by March 21 to lori.trier@cookcountyil.gov or call 773-334-4066.
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