Discuss Drug Activity At CAPS Meeting
Chicago Police held a CAPS meeting for Beat 811, which takes up most of Garfield Ridge, on Tuesday night at Good Shepherd Church, 5550 S. Merrimac Ave.
Among the many topics discussed was the recent increase in drug activity in the neighborhood. Many people came to the meeting complaining about drugs being sold at various places throughout the community.
Shoes thrown on a telephone wire is a sign of drug activity, according to a few of the Beat officers.
One citizen complained that a car sometimes parks in the old Dominick’s lot and other vehicles drive up to it and some kind of exchanges occur.
In such instances, said police officers, citizens should call 911 and tell the dispatcher there are possible drug exchanges taking place. The officers said that if 911 is not called, police have no way of knowing if such incidents are occurring.
Someone also complained that there are teenagers hanging around at parks after curfew and they believe they are smoking or doing drugs. Police again said to call them and they will deal with the matter.
Another resident said that teenagers have been gathering outside the British Petroleum gas station at Archer and Oak Park avenues, trying to get others to buy them cigarettes. One of the officers said he had a conversation with the manager and the business has been calling police when such teenagers are near the premises.
According to one officer, on Polish Constitution Day, May 3, there were several vehicles damaged in the area. Windows were broken in cars that had a Polish flag or sticker, or anything with a Polish symbol.
A community alert was passed out warning seniors of another scam.
In this scam, the offenders claim to be law enforcement personnel and use various ruses, including asking the victim’s assistance in helping to catch counterfeiters who have scammed one of the victim’s relatives.
They ask the victim to provide serial numbers of United States currency in the victim’s possession.
In these instances, the offenders direct the victim to withdraw a large amount of money from the victim’s bank account and later turn it over to the offender for the purpose of assisting in a police investigation.
If someone calls and claims to be a police officer, said police, call 911 and request a supervisor respond to your location.
A number of other people complained that people do not pay attention to stop signs and speed limit signs.
Police announced that they arrested and charged someone with two recent garage burglaries in the area of 56th and Massasoit.
The next Beat 811 meetings will be at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 10 and July 8, at Good Shepherd Church.
More information may be obtained by calling the 8th District Community Policing Office at (312) 747-8724.