Lakeview and Lincoln Park residents discuss rising crime concerns and bike initiatives at a community meeting on April 11. 

 

In Beats 1934 and 1935, there has been a 29% increase in reported crimes from February 11, 2022, to April 11, 2022, compared to a year ago, Police Officer Kellee Simz said. The Chicago Data Portal says that during this time frame, there were 273 reported crimes this year compared to 211 from a year ago.  

 

6 Lakeview and Lincoln Park residents attended the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy meeting on zoom. Besides Officer Simz, who served as host, Christine Washkevich, Coordinator at Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and Calvin Cottrell, Director of Community Outreach and Public Safety for the 44th Ward, were also in attendance. 

 

Several months ago, all four of Lakeview resident Melinda Resser’s tires were stolen from her car, which was parked underneath a carport on her property. “I’m just worrying about the rise in crime,” Resser said.

 

In Beat 1935, there were three burglaries, which is down three from last year. There were no robberies or vehicle hijackings. However, thefts went up 62%, from 26 to 42. Most of the thefts were packages and about 23 were retail.

 

Due to the rise in crime, Jan Sumrall and other citizens have noticed an uptick in police cars around the beats. “I know [the citizens] try to reach out and say hello to [the officers] and thank them for all that they’re doing,” Sumrall said at the meeting. One of her neighbors was out of town a few weekends ago and their house alarm went off due to high winds. Sumrall said the police showed up right away.

 

In Beat 1934, two unlawful burglaries were reported, down by three from last year. There were five robberies, three of which were store related, one was a vehicular hijacking and the other a purse robbery. Last year, there were two robberies. As for thefts in this beat, there were 43, two less from last year. These consisted mainly of retail and package thefts.  

 

Donna Del Principe asked about more details from a burglary that happened on the 300 block of Wellington, which is on her street. Officer Simz said a man had “pried the door open to the residence” and the resident found him and called 911. He was arrested on the scene. 

 

On April 13, District 19 is hosting a bike initiative at 2915 N. Leavitt St. Beats 1934 and 1935 lead the city in bike thefts, so police officers are going to different parks and encouraging people to register their bikes. 

 

“Normally they take adult bikes, they don’t really want kids bikes. So, if you have a bike, we want you to register because that’s the only way to get it back,” Officer Simz said. 

 

There was also a substantial incident on Broadway in Lakeview where a 72-year-old woman was shot in the leg. It is still under investigation, but Officer Simz said the woman is believed to not be the intended target. 

 

If you are interested in attending Beats 1934 and 1935’s next CAPS meeting on June 13, check out Alderman Tom Tunney’s website for more information.