News
Homicides down in Austin in 2019
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Mirroring a trend across Chicago, Austin reported 10 fewer homicides in 2019. Forty-seven people were killed, down from 57 in 2018, according to the Chicago Sun-Times homicide tracker.
gang database
Groups seek to end Chicago Police Department’s gang database
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The only way to determine if someone’s name is in the database is to submit a Freedom of Information Act request to the police department – something more than 120 people have already done. Earlier this month, a FOIA workshop was held to help Austin residents learn how to submit a FOIA request.
Community
Learn how to determine if your name is in CPD’s gang database
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The free FOIA clinic and know your rights workshop, organized by the Chicago Westside NAACP branch, will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at Sankofa Cultural Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave. Dinner will be served.
15th district
Meet the new 15th District police commander
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All West Side stakeholders are invited to the meet and greet with 15th District Commander Yolanda Talley 9 a.m. Dec. 9 at Sankofa Cultural Arts & Business Center, 5820 W. Chicago Ave. Breakfast will be served.
policing
Austin residents, officers meet to discuss policing strategic plan for West Side
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West Side residents who attended the meeting were asked two questions: What are the key problems that you would like police to address, and how would you like the police to engage more with the community? Another community conversation to discuss the strategic plan the Chicago Police Department is developing will be held Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Zoe Life Ministries, 3 S. Laramie Ave.
Community
Take part in community conversation on policing
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The 15th Police District strategic plan for 2020 will be discussed at the event, which will be held Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Zoe Life Ministries International, 5155 W. Madison. This is the first of two conversations that will be held.
policing
15th police district Commander Cato promoted
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Ernest Cato III will serve as deputy chief of patrol (North) overseeing nine districts on the North and West sides. Replacing Cato in the 15th District will be Yolanda Talley, who served as a watch operations lieutenant in the 15th District for two years and has 25 years of experience with the Chicago Police Department.
policing
West Side residents offers ideas on how to improve policing in Chicago
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Suggestions were offered this past weekend at a community meeting organized by the independent monitoring team put in place as part of a federal court consent decree the Chicago Police Department is under. Sitting at tables in the Austin Town Hall auditorium, about 30 people answered two questions: What are your hopes for the consent decree, and what are your concerns?
Community
Independent monitor to give West Side residents update on police department
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There will also be roundtable discussions to gather the perspectives of Austin residents to ensure the monitoring efforts – part of the consent decree the Chicago Police Department is under – “reflect the priorities of Chicago’s diverse community members.” Refreshments will be served at the meeting, which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.
Community
West Sides residents invited to discuss violence, trauma
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The Chicago Police Department and Austin mental health professionals will lead a two-part discussion on June 4 and 11. The public’s input is being sought to help shape a plan for addressing Chicago youth’s exposure to traumatic events.