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Update: Criminal Sexual Assaults Reported
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Dear Neighbors,
The Chicago Police Department has provided an update on this morning's community alert regarding the sexual assault that occurred on the 900 block of Belden Avenue. The Chicago Police Department has recently released notification regarding two similar incidents that have taken place in the general area over the past two weeks.
The attacks occurred at the following locations and times:
- 1900 block of N. Bissell St, August 9th, 2015 at approx. 3:45 am
- 100 block of W. Goethe St, August 15th, 2015 at approx. 12:25 am
- 900 block of W. Belden Ave, August 20th, 2015 at approx. 1:40 am
While this morning's report concerned the incident on August 20th,
the Chicago Police Department has today officially released information regarding the incidents on August 9th and 15th.
Unfortunately, the official notification provided to my office by the Chicago Police Department was significantly later than we would have expected. I have communicated my extreme concern as to their lack of appropriate notification to my office and the surrounding community.
In each crime, the lone female was walking home in the early morning hours and was approached from behind by an unknown male. On August 9, 2015 and August 20, 2015, the offender grabbed the victim and assaulted her. On August 15, 2015 the lone female walking home was approached from behind and held by the offender. In this case, the victim was able to fight off her attacker. In two of the attacks, which occurred on the August 15th and 20th, the victims were at the entryway of their respective residences. After each assault, the offender fled on foot.
If you have any information, please Contact the Bureau of Detectives - Area Central at (312) 747-8380. Of course, should you witness anything suspicious, please contact 9-1-1 immediately to report your concerns to the police.
I urge you to always be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone in the late evening or early morning hours. Additionally, my office has prepared a flyer for distribution to your neighbors. Please distribute to your block, area businesses, churches and other institutions to ensure the community is aware and can take the necessary steps to protect themselves and report crime.
We have begun outreach to affected blocks and DePaul University, and will continue to work closely with the community. If you and your neighbors would like to have a community safety meeting, please contact us. The public safety of ward residents is my top priority, and as we have done in other cases, we intend to pursue this case as part of our court advocacy program when the offender is apprehended. We will keep you updated as we receive further information.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns at 773-348-9500.
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| Sincerely,
Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
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