Crime and Safety: Postcard Writing Campaign

Please consider joining local residents on their postcard writing campaign to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and Chief Judge Timothy Evans of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Every week I hear from 2nd Ward constituents about their safety concerns, and the ongoing issues of retail theft and vehicular hijackings. I have talked to many witnesses and victims about their experiences and understand the level of trauma the community has been experiencing.

 

As your Alderman, I continue to work closely with local law enforcement to increase patrols and resources in the area which I discuss through my weekly newsletter, and at my 2nd Ward office. I thank and appreciate our neighbors working together to help make sure they have a voice, and I am honored to do my part to make sure they are heard.

For more information on this campaign, please see below:
 

Who are we writing to?

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States Attorney Kim Foxx                        

69 W. Washington        

Suite 3200        

Chicago, IL 60602

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Chief Judge Timothy Evans

Circuit Court of Cook County

50 W. Washington St, Room 2600

Chicago, IL 60602

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It has become apparent that many of the recent carjackers, armed robbers, and shoplifters, if apprehended, are not being held accountable for their actions, resulting in repeated criminal acts. States Attorney Kim Foxx and Chief Judge Evans are too lenient and they need to hear from their constituents.

Why are we doing this?

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• Offenders under the age of 18 are asked to watch a video on ‘how to be a better person’ and then released. All too often they are back to committing the same crimes within days as there are no real consequences for their actions.

• Carjackers and armed robbers are frequently let go on I-Bonds (personal recognizance bonds that do not need to be paid prior to being released). Again, no real immediate consequences.

 

How can you help?

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Please write one postcard each to States Attorney Kim Foxx and Chief Judge Evans expressing your safety concerns for our neighborhoods.

Be sure to describe your personal experience(s) while living in the neighborhood pertaining to your safety. If you are a business owner, explain how it’s affecting your business. Some talking points:

• We are your constituents and we demand accountability for criminals.

• Make it mandatory that offenders under 18 do 50+ hours of community service, and incorporate rehabilitation programs for all offenders.

• Retailers are starting to leave our neighborhood due to an increase in retail theft.  This often signals the start of a neighborhood in decline.

• This is your performance review. We’re paying attention. Do better!

Please keep it short, simple, and to the point. No harsh or threatening language. Sign your first name (and last name, if you wish) and please mention the neighborhood in which you live.

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Example:

Dear Chief Judge Evans,

My family has lived in (Neighborhood) for 15 years.  We have never felt unsafe until now. The recent uptick in carjackings and armed robberies occurring at all hours of the day has the neighborhood on edge. Our police officers tell us that many are repeat offenders - and are often minors. A “slap on the wrist’ approach is not working! They must be held accountable to deter further criminal acts.

Thank you,

Jane Smith (Neighborhood)

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What else can I do?

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Spread the word about this campaign! Grab extra postcards to distribute to your neighbors and local business owners. Provide them with stamps if you think that will ensure they’ll send them out.

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Get to know your neighbors! Start a group chat so you can keep each other aware of what’s happening on your street. Take walks together when someone isn’t comfortable walking alone.

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Make sure you stay informed about judges and their records. Share your information with friends and neighbors. When it comes time to vote, vote accordingly.

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Where can I pick up some postcards?

Please stop by any of the following neighborhood establishments and ask for as many postcards as you’d like (please be sure to send all that you pick up so none go to waste):
 

• The 2nd Ward office (1400 N Ashland)

• Club Lucky (1824 W Wabansia)

• Etta (1840 W North Ave)

• Leavitt Street Inn (2345 N Leavitt St)

• Lottie’s (1925 W Cortland)

• Nick’s Beer Garden (1516 N Milwaukee Ave)

• Old Town Triangle Association Office (1763 N. North Park)

• Corcoran's Grill & Pub (1615 N Wells Street)

• Armitage Direct(925 W Armitage Avenue, entrance on Bissell)

• Starbucks (210 W North Avenue)

• Milito's Gas Station (1108 W Fullerton)

• Lakeshore Sport and Fitness (1320 W Fullerton)

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Questions/need more postcards?

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Please email bwppostcardcampaign@gmail.com.

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2nd Ward Safety Priorities

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As your Alderman it is my duty to update you on crime and safety initiatives in the 2nd Ward, and across the nearby communities that many 2nd Ward neighborhoods border. As your friend and neighbor I understand your anxiety, your frustration and your anger. I know full well how Chicagoans feel about crime and safety right now, and I continue to do my part to help you as a neighbor and as an elected official to fight these waves of crime and support our local police.

Every Alderman should have a relationship with their local police and District Commanders, and each Alderman should understand what is being done as part of their District-wide operations. In my effort to do so, and to inform local police, I regularly identify safety concerns and figure out what are the levers that can be pulled by an Alderman to gain additional resources, and what the other other levers are that can only be pulled by Mayor Lightfoot or Police Superintended Brown. My goal, as always, is to fight for an increase in safety, security, and policing in and around the 2nd Ward.  

Another major concern that I have is when a crime causes harm to citizens who are ambushed by criminals in a place where they would normally have an expectation of safety, such as parking their car near their home, walking a street in their neighborhood, or picking up their child at school.  Each of these incidents are not hypothetical examples, but have recently happened to people who I know personally. Listening to their stories, hearing how losing their sense of security is so much worse than losing any material possessions, is heartbreaking. Each time I have such a conversation with a tearful friend experiencing post traumatic stress, it strengthens my resolve to fight back against the foolish policies that have stripped away consequences to criminals for the damage they cause. 

After discussing deployment with leadership in the Chicago Police Department, I have been told that the Chicago Police Department have added additional officers and patrols to the 1st, 18th, and 19th Districts. These officers will be deployed throughout the 2nd Ward communities of River North, Near North, Streeterville, Old Town, Gold Coast, and Lincoln Park. In addition, the 2nd Ward communities in West Town will continue to see deployed police alongside resources from the Vehicular Hijacking Task Force and the Organized Retail Theft Task Force.

Throughout the remainder of the season (Mid-2022), the downtown area and surrounding communities will see a surge in patrols assigned from the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), the Community Safety Team (CST), CPD bike patrols, robbery & safety teams, and additional tactical patrols.

Additional resources throughout the holiday season have also been made available by the Illinois State Police and the Cook County Sheriffs Department to assist in Chicago Police Department missions.  

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CAPS - Chicago Police Department

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Please find contact information for your local Police District below:

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12th District (Southern West Town):

All 2nd Ward residents west of the River and south of Division Ave.

Contact info: Please call 312-746-8396 or email at CAPS012District@chicagopolice.org.

14th District (Northern West Town):

All 2nd Ward residents west of the River and north of Division Ave.

Contact info: Please call 312-744-8290 or email at CAPS.014District@chicagopolice.org.

18th District (Lincoln Park, Old Town, River North, Gold Coast and Streeterville):

All 2nd Ward residents east of the River and south of Fullerton Ave.

Contact info: Please call 312-742-5870 or email at CAPS018District@chicagopolice.org.

19th District (Lincoln Park):

All 2nd Ward residents east of the River and north of Fullerton Ave.

Contact Info: Please call 312-744-8320 or email at CAPS019District@chicagopolice.org.

 

 

2nd Ward Court Advocacy Program
 

Please consider joining the Court Advocacy Program. Court Advocates are there to support other residents who fall victim to criminal activity in the Ward, and to bring our neighbors together as they show their support.

Court Advocate’s attendance is not only a way for the community to show its support for victims, but also to be heard by the Cook County State's Attorney. Often times victims may be alone in the court and the presence of community members is a reassurance to individuals who work through the long court proceeding.

Active participation from Court Advocates provides the Cook County State's Attorney's Office additional evidence that the community demands fair and just sentencing toward individuals who commit crimes in a given neighborhood, and demonstrates to the presiding judge and jury that neighbors support victims at each step of the court proceedings in a criminal case.

The Chicago CAPS offices receive a list of cases the Cook County State's Attorney is prosecuting and makes recommendations of cases for Advocates to be involved with. Court Advocates may also request to CAPS other cases they’d like to be a part of. The program ensures that our community is able to have a say in the criminal justice system.

If you have any additional questions please email the 2nd Ward at Ward02@cityofchicago.org, or call the 2nd Ward Service Office at (312) 643-2299.

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