Is CAPS Going the Way of the Dodo?

Sorry to rehash old news here, but I just found this great WBEZ piece from June about how drastically CAPS beat meeting attendance has fallen since 2002. Both the story and the comments below make excellent points about how people do not trust police officers, how gang members' friends and families attend CAPS meetings and thus silence real discussion with officers, and how recent cuts are likely to make the situation worse. You can also see the contrast between police service in West Town and in South Chicago on display in the comments section.

I'm just now trying to get in touch with the CAPS implementation office--I have a contact email but not a phone number. Well, thanks to CLEARpath and a few minutes of digging, I now have a number: 312-747-9987. But now they're asking me for my party's extension and there doesn't seem to be a way to leave a general message. It's now awfully close to 5 p.m. on a Friday in July, so I can't say I'm surprised. Will have to try again next week.

Suspect Arrrested in Halloween Murder

I was told earlier today that there would be a press conference at 4:30 this afternoon to announce that someone had been arrested in connection with the murder of Leticia Barrera on Halloween. If you forgot the details of the murder on Halloween at 48th and Seeley, see the Channel 2 story here.

Congratulations to Commander Eugene Roy and the police officers of the 9th district, who I am told did most of the legwork to find the suspect. I would also offer my congratulations to everyone in the community who helped the police with information and tips. At last week's Peace and Education Coalition meeting, the word was that they were close to a suspect and there was a pitch for contributions to increase the reward for information. I don't know if that did the trick or what, but whatever and whoever helped identify a legitimate suspect in the case deserves thanks.

I don't see any news on this yet, but will keep an eye out and link to any reports. Also, I really hope Mayor Daley makes as much noise to thank the community for bringing this information to light as he made critical noises in the immediate wake of the shooting. It takes a great deal of courage and faith to make information like this available to the police and the fact that someone did should not pass without notice.

Police Officer Shot?

Following the journalist's two-source rule, I can say with some confidence that the police were out in force on Marshfield Avenue this afternoon, looking for a suspect in the shooting of a police officer.

The scary part is the suspect is someone I know. He's not currently living on the block, though.

I can't find any news stories about a shooting of a police officer today. Rumor has it the officer was shot in his own house, but I don't know where.

When there's more to say, you'll find it here.