In its latest Year-To-Date Report, the Chicago Police Department shows that Index Crimes (more serious crimes) have declined almost 11% in the 24th District, while they increased about 8% in the 20th District. Despite this increase, the 20th District continues to have the lowest Index and overall crime rate in the entire City. It has ranked 25 out of 25 for the last two years; the 24th District ranks closely behind.

Although serious crimes have declined, Alderman Smith and staff continue to meet with Police Command Staff and affected neighborhoods and businesses because she knows from years of experience in our community that all crime issues need attention. Quality of life or “nuisance” crimes are important because, if left unchecked, they will escalate and rapidly change the character of a neighborhood.

Most of the policing complaints we hear tend to be non-index crime issues such as graffiti; disruptive loitering that hinders commerce or use of the public way, especially near elevated stops; aggressive panhandling, possible drug dealing; occasional prostitution; public drinking; bicycles on sidewalks, etc.

We can all make a difference and help deter crime by calling 911 immediately whenever we witness any suspicious activity. Describe the situation and perpetrators in as much detail as possible. These 911 calls-for-service help to accurately document criminal activity and possible patterns. Please do not hesitate to call 911 when police presence is needed. 311 is only for service requests that do not require police on site.

Police from the 20th and 24th Districts
line up for a joint roll call on Thorndale Ave.

Beat Meetings

Beat community meetings, a key element of CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy), provide an opportunity for police and community residents to exchange information about conditions in the neighborhood, to identify "trouble spots" and to develop strategies to combat those problems. This information, plus the 911 records, helps our District Commanders maintain their personnel in the District and focus their enforcement efforts on the street activities negatively affect our quality of life.

Community involvement in CAPS is proving
an effective deterrent to crime.

In addition, the meetings provide an opportunity for police and community to get to know one another. Many block clubs have designated CAPS representatives, but everyone is encouraged to attend.

To find out your Beat number and the date and time of your Beat Meetings, click here.

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Police Cameras

Alderman Smith is the first Alderman to be given permission to request and fund the installation of police surveillance cameras in the community. As soon as technical issues are resolved about the location and movement of these high-tech surveillance devices, which are hooked into the 911 Center and can be monitored by local police, they will be installed in areas in our Ward with a higher-than-usual incidence of street crime. The cameras have proven themselves very effective for deterring street crime in the handful of other areas across Chicago where they have been tested.

In addition, in order to increase safety around Edgewater El stations, Alderman Smith is helping the Edgewater Special Service Area work with the CTA to install television surveillance cameras. Police will be able to review the tapes for evidence and for clarification of 911 calls. Once technical issues are resolved, cameras will also be linked directly into the 911 system .

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Building Issues

As part of her constant quest to keep improving our neighborhood, Alderman Smith vigorously pursues problem buildings, poor management and bad landlords because they create nuisances that affect our safety and quality of life. Our office works in partnership with our community organizations; the Police; Chicago’s Building, Zoning, and Housing Departments; the City Law Department’s Drug and Gang House Enforcement Section, and the State’s Attorney’s Narcotics Nuisance Abatement Unit to secure and improve problem buildings.

As with other crime issues, we rely on active community involvement to bring problem buildings to our attention so we can rally the resources necessary to remedy the situation.

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