caps meeting at nookie's
photo credit // jay shaff
Police say Lincoln Park muggings not connected
Chicago, IL -
A crowd of more than 200 Lakeview residents and business owners crowded into Nookie's Tree Restaurant at Halsted and Buckingham Wednesday evening, concerned about a recent uptick in violence following the brutal assault of a local bar employee early Monday morning.
Previously scheduled to be a routine, monthly Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting, police were not prepared to provide information which may have controlled the significant concerns of those attending. Monthly CAPS meetings for the 23rd District typically draw about a dozen participants.
The large crowd overtook the entire space at Nookie's, interrupting their evening dinner crowd. Roscoe's owner Jim Ludwig offered a much larger space at his establishment, but it was summarily rejected by police authorities because there is alcohol served there. The result was a crowded, hot environment where many had to stand and many attendees were not able to hear questions or answers posed during the one hour meeting.
Immediately prior to the scheduled 7:00 p.m. start, all press cameras, still and video, were ejected from the room by Chicago Police Department officials, stating that the press and cameras are not allowed at CAPS meetings. The audience was vocally in disagreement with the decision. A large contingent of the press, including all television stations, was present for the meeting.
Alderman Tom Tunney (D-44th Ward) came outside prior to the meeting and spoke with the large group of reporters. "The meeting tonight, obviously, is going to talk about issues in Lakeview primarily" he said and that police evidence is different in Lakeview than Lincoln Park where several viscous attacks have taken place in the last several days.
"This is a very safe neighborhood" Tunney said, adding that the problems seem to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. "We're getting 150% response from the police."
The mood inside the restaurant grew somewhat combative as police officials were determined to conduct the gathering as a regular CAPS meeting and not an update for the concerned citizens. Stu Zrin, board member of the North Halsted Merchant's Association, praised the police but that did not alleviate the concerns expressed by attendees.
Tunney, 23rd District CPD Commander Kathleen Boehmer and CPD Deputy Chief Bruce Rottner talked about police resources, the financial problems the city is having which preclude adding additional officers. They stated analysis is underway to determine how to be smarter with resources.
When questions and comments from the crowd were taken, the primary sentiment was that when 9-1-1 is called, police response is slow and therefore often ineffective. Business owners and residents spoke of how they have repeatedly called 9-1-1 to report cases of loitering, drug sales, and gang fights without solution by police. CPD officials urged a call to the local precinct during business hours following a problem with 9-1-1 calls.
"The cops are on Clark, not on Halsted," said Brenden Chrisman, Human Resources Manager at Roscoe's, to applause.
Following the meeting, businessman Bill Healy asked Deputy Chief Rottner about the press ejection. "How can we expect to get the word out to Lakeview people without the help of the press?"
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio, OurWorld.tv Correspondent)
Previously scheduled to be a routine, monthly Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meeting, police were not prepared to provide information which may have controlled the significant concerns of those attending. Monthly CAPS meetings for the 23rd District typically draw about a dozen participants.
The large crowd overtook the entire space at Nookie's, interrupting their evening dinner crowd. Roscoe's owner Jim Ludwig offered a much larger space at his establishment, but it was summarily rejected by police authorities because there is alcohol served there. The result was a crowded, hot environment where many had to stand and many attendees were not able to hear questions or answers posed during the one hour meeting.
Immediately prior to the scheduled 7:00 p.m. start, all press cameras, still and video, were ejected from the room by Chicago Police Department officials, stating that the press and cameras are not allowed at CAPS meetings. The audience was vocally in disagreement with the decision. A large contingent of the press, including all television stations, was present for the meeting.
Alderman Tom Tunney (D-44th Ward) came outside prior to the meeting and spoke with the large group of reporters. "The meeting tonight, obviously, is going to talk about issues in Lakeview primarily" he said and that police evidence is different in Lakeview than Lincoln Park where several viscous attacks have taken place in the last several days.
"This is a very safe neighborhood" Tunney said, adding that the problems seem to occur between midnight and 4 a.m. "We're getting 150% response from the police."
The mood inside the restaurant grew somewhat combative as police officials were determined to conduct the gathering as a regular CAPS meeting and not an update for the concerned citizens. Stu Zrin, board member of the North Halsted Merchant's Association, praised the police but that did not alleviate the concerns expressed by attendees.
Tunney, 23rd District CPD Commander Kathleen Boehmer and CPD Deputy Chief Bruce Rottner talked about police resources, the financial problems the city is having which preclude adding additional officers. They stated analysis is underway to determine how to be smarter with resources.
When questions and comments from the crowd were taken, the primary sentiment was that when 9-1-1 is called, police response is slow and therefore often ineffective. Business owners and residents spoke of how they have repeatedly called 9-1-1 to report cases of loitering, drug sales, and gang fights without solution by police. CPD officials urged a call to the local precinct during business hours following a problem with 9-1-1 calls.
"The cops are on Clark, not on Halsted," said Brenden Chrisman, Human Resources Manager at Roscoe's, to applause.
Following the meeting, businessman Bill Healy asked Deputy Chief Rottner about the press ejection. "How can we expect to get the word out to Lakeview people without the help of the press?"
Video Coverage
by ChicagoPride.com video partner: OutWorld.tv (Report by John Fenoglio, OurWorld.tv Correspondent)
