Police and CAPS leaders will hold a “positive loitering” night at the Algonquin Playlot in Avondale. View Full Caption DNAinfo.com

AVONDALE — Police and Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy beat leaders will hold a “positive loitering” night Wednesday at the Algonquin Park Playlot in Avondale.

The Avondale Triangle-led meeting for Beat 1411 in the Shakespeare District is open to all residents, including those within the beat’s boundaries of Kedzie Avenue, Western Avenue, Belmont Avenue and Logan Boulevard in Logan Square and Avondale.

The event is in response to an increase in gang and drug activity in the area, according to beat facilitators. It will feature free ice cream and time for community interaction with beat officers in an attempt to reclaim the area where issues have recently been reported.

“We want to demonstrate that the area is paying attention to what's going on, that we're the ones who live here, and we're not going to let anyone stop the renewal we're seeing in our neighborhood,” read an open invitation to the neighborhood.

The outdoor event will begin at 7 p.m. at 2941 N. Washtenaw Ave.

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