Neighborhood News

Published February 19, 2019 By Justin Kerr

The Wednesday, February 13, meeting for Beat 912 of the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program again brought together community members and the Chicago Police Department to share information about local public safety issues.

"Overall, crime was down," said CAPS Officer Jason Sollis, noting that zero burglaries were reported in Beat 912 in the past month. "This is significant for this time of year," he said. "Your nosy neighbors are working."

Sollis detailed crime statistics for the period of January 9 through February 13, 2019, which included 1,278 calls for service, 13 reports of shots fired and 16 arrests. One notable violent crime was a fatal hit-and-run on January 25 at South Archer Avenue and South Robinson Street that was classified as a homicide, Sollis said.

Juan Contreras, left, and Guadalupe Quinones are portrayed in Chicago Police Department mug shots following their arrests on January 11, 2019.A shootout apparently between two tow truck drivers resulted in arrests on January 11 at 3661 S. Iron St.: The Chicago Police Department website details the arrests and charges against Juan J. Contreras and Guadalupe Quinones, who were charged with aggravated assault with use of a deadly weapon and other crimes. Firearms were recovered at the scene, Sollis said.

Sollis said the past month's five reports of motor vehicle thefts were typical for this time of year, with one the result of a thief jumping into a running car and another tied to a tow truck stealing a car from the Target parking lot at 1940 W. 33rd St.

Sollis and meeting attendees discussed the local rash of thefts of heavy construction equipment, as was also reported here in the McKinley Park News. Sollis said similar thefts have taken place in the Bridgeport neighborhood, and that stolen items have included cement mixers, Bobcat vehicles and large steel crew boxes filled with expensive construction equipment.

Sollis also reported back to the group on the status of his investigations into the January 6, 2019, vandalism spree that shattered windows in businesses across the neighborhood. Although no perpetrators have yet been identified, Sollis noted that it looked like marbles had been used to shoot out the windows, something that the police's local ShotSpotter stations would not pick up. Sollis said additional security camera footage may continue to be reviewed, and that this was an "ongoing investigation."

The CAPS Meeting for Beat 912 takes place every second Wednesday of the month at St. Maurice Church hall, 3625 S. Hoyne Ave., Chicago. The next meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 13.

CAPS Beat Co-Facilitator Christine Young explains best practices in personal safety and avoiding scams at the February 13 meeting.