Public Safety Update
FACE IT - 43rd Ward
Public School Survey
Help Kingston Mines
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Dear Neighbors,
Last night, the Chicago Police conducted a public safety drill as part of the City’s ongoing effort to engineer security measures to lessen risk to the Central Business District.
City crews and police successfully placed barricades and other assets to help quickly ensure the safety and well-being of residents, workers, businesses and peaceful gatherings in the area.
Participating City of Chicago Departments include: Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Department of Transportation, Streets and Sanitation, Department of Water Management, among others.
The Chicago Police also continue to follow reports of potential protest activity for this Saturday afternoon and evening, August 29th. While potential protests are not planned in the ward and the Chicago Police Department has yet to determine how large the gathering may be, I wanted to share with you how the police department intends to respond.
- The police will deploy, if needed, officers from the impacted District, the Critical Incident Response Team, and the Community Safety team.
- Additionally, City resources - including Streets and Sanitation vehicles - will be mobilized to assist CPD in maintaining control of the area through tactics such as traffic control. These resource deployments will ensure CPD has adequate coverage to protect businesses and residents.
- The department’s Crime Prevention and Information Center (CPIC) new twenty person team continues to focus on around-the-clock review of social media that could indicate plans for looting.
- At this time, there are no calls for businesses to close early or for any impactful downtown restrictions. Retailers are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting CHIBIZ to 67283 to receive targeted zip code alerts if restrictions are put in place.
- Residents should carry a photo ID at all times. Property managers in the area are asked to remind the door staff to call 911 immediately to report unusual events. All properties with cameras should set them for high-definition to gather evidence of illegal activities. It's also essential that someone on staff has password access to the security cameras.
- The Chicago Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special detective task force is specifically managing looting cases to ensure that those who loot are held accountable. This task force is already reviewing video camera footage and other evidence to identify perpetrators and develop strong cases against them. More than 100 individuals have been arrested as a result of looting earlier this month, and the task force on looting will work in close partnership with the States Attorney’s Office to ensure that individuals are held accountable for their actions.
To receive emergency alerts for updates on street closures and public transportation, subscribe to Chicago’s text or email alert system at NotifyChicago.org or follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit transitchicago.com for real-time updates regarding CTA service.
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We are going the Wrong Way on COVID
New Requirement to Wear Face Masks at Restaurants
Too many people continue to ignore the importance of social distancing and mask wearing, as a result, we continue to have too many new cases each day and as a result, the guidelines for restaurants have been updated again.
The latest guidelines require patrons to wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at bars and restaurants. Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth when patrons are approached and served by staff, including but not limited to when employees take patrons orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables. This guidance will also apply to other facilities with food services areas.
Read the details in the Sun-Times. Read the Governor's new executive order here.
Also, family parties are becoming a leading source of spreading the virus and causing the numbers to go in the wrong direction, as reported by Block Club Chicago.
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FACE IT Lincoln Park Campaign Launch
The 43rd Ward and the Lincoln Central Association is launching a campaign called Face It Lincoln Park to encourage everyone to face facts and wear a mask. In light of recent rising numbers of Covid-19 cases city-wide, our community is coming forward to address it at a hyper-local level and to hold each other accountable. These are your friends, neighbors, and colleagues - asking you to participate and hold each other accountable for each aspect of social distancing.
On August 31st at 2 p.m. we will roll out the campaign and invite everyone to join us in this effort. Participants will include local neighborhood organizations, institutions like the Zoo and DePaul, and local school principals - and you!
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City Budget Briefings
Mayor Lightfoot and the Office of Budget and Management announced this week that the framework for the public engagement phase of the 2021 budget, which will include safe and engaging ways for participation and feedback as we continue to socially distance.
The process will include “Budget Week" - a weeklong series of virtual budget town hall meetings, livestreamed on Facebook, and the launch of a new interactive website where residents can submit questions for the town hall series as well as find other ways to provide feedback for the upcoming budget.
The Budget Week’s online Facebook Live schedule is as follows:
Monday, 8/31:
State of the Budget with Susie Park, Budget Director; Jennie Huang Bennett, Chief Financial Officer; and Alderman Pat Dowell, Chairman of the City Council Committee on Budget and Government Operations
Tuesday, 9/1:
Public Safety with Susan Lee, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety
Wednesday, 9/2:
Human Services with Commissioner Lisa Morrison Butler, Department of Family and Support Services; Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, Department of Public Health; and Commissioner Rachel Arfa, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Thursday, 9/3:
Infrastructure with Commissioner Randy Conner, Department of Water Management; Commissioner John Tully, Department of Streets and Sanitation; and Commissioner Gia Biagi, Department of Transportation
Friday, 9/4:
Neighborhood and Economic Development with Commissioner Maurice Cox, Department of Planning and Development; Commissioner Marisa Novara, Department of Housing; and Commissioner Rosa Escareno, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
The events will be live-streamed on Facebook from 6:00-7:00 pm and made available on the Budget Engagement website here.
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Scam Alert
The Chicago Police Department is warning residents of recent ruse burglaries/home invasions in North Side communities.
Individuals knock on the door of a senior citizen and tell the target that they are at the residence regarding tree trimming services or representing a utility company, to gain access to the residence. At least one individual distracts or holds the victim, while another gains access to the residence and steals valuables.
About the Offenders:
In one of the incidents, the victim described the offenders as three male whites. The offenders were between 34 and 38 years of age. At least one of the offenders had a “walkie-talkie” type radio in his possession.
In another incident, the victims described the offenders as three male Hispanics who fled in a dark colored SUV.
What you can do:
Be aware of these crimes and alert your neighbors, especially the elderly.
Pay special attention to any suspicious subjects loitering in the area
Update security video equipment
If you are a victim, do not touch anything, call police immediately
Call 911 immediately and provide a detailed description of the offender(s), including any vehicle description and license plate information
If you have any information Contact the Bureau of Detectives – Area Three
(312) 744-8263.
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Safe Spaces for Children
Chicago Public Schools and the city are surveying families to better understand who may need help this fall finding a safe space for their children who are 14 and under during traditional school hours.
The program will place an emphasis on prioritizing students who live in high-need communities or transitional housing.
Here is what a family may expect at a potential child supervision site:
1. Children will be assigned to spaces with children of the same age group and an adult who will be assigned to the group for the duration of the program. The number of children per room will be limited to ensure proper social distancing per City of Chicago’s Be Safe: PK-12 Education Guidelines.
2. While the adult will ensure that your child will have a safe and suitable space to engage in remote learning, please note that they will not be qualified to teach or provide educational support. The personnel assigned are not teachers.
3. Children will be provided with breakfast and lunch every day.
4. Children and staff will be required to follow all health and safety protocols including wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, and completing a daily symptom screener.
5. To ensure proper social distancing, families will follow a staggered schedule and be assigned a time to pick up and drop off their children.
6. This program will be prioritized according to need. Families with school-age children under 14 years of age who live in high-need communities or transitional housing will be prioritized.
7. Computing devices will not be provided although high-speed internet access will be available at the site. Families are required to bring their own computing devices or get a loaner device from their child's school.
Anyone interested in potential assistance, please complete the survey by Friday, August 28, at 5 p.m. Please be sure to provide your contact information so we can follow up in the coming weeks.
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Help Save Kingston Mines
Yesterday, Block Club Chicago reported that one of the most iconic establishments in our community--Kingston Mines--may have to close their doors.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help save this this historic home for Blues, and as of this morning, one-third of the goal had been raised. Please help.
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Enjoy the summer weather - and join us Monday to Face It 43rd Ward! |
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