Dear Neighbor,
Chicago police officers under the leadership of Commander Thomas Waldera responded quickly last week to several shooting incidents in Rogers Park. Commander Waldera requested and received re-enforcements from the Chicago Police Department. The Commander has been on the streets with his tactical lieutenant each night from dusk to dawn personally directing the allocation of those officers.
Thanks to their efforts, Rogers Park experienced no shooting incidents over the weekend.
Last Thursday, a 21-year-old man was shot by an unidentified man on the 1600 block Morse Avenue Thursday night at approximately 8:00 p.m., and a 25 year-old woman was shot while sitting in her car on the 6600 block of N, Sheridan Road Friday morning shortly before 2:00 a.m.
Commander Waldera tells me police believe the Morse Avenue shooting was gang-related, the latest in a series of shootings resulting from a conflict between two factions of the same street gang. Earlier in the week one man was killed and two others were injured in what police believe to be a gang-related shooting on the 1600 block of W. Howard Street.
The police are not certain whether the Sheridan shooting was the result of the same gang conflict or a separate “road rage” incident. They are still investigating.
I have been in constant communication with Commander Waldera since last Monday’s shooting incident. His hands-on and proactive response to these incidents has helped to stem the violence and prevent a further escalation of the conflict.
Police will continue to be on heightened alert this week. Schools are closed for Spring Break this week and the Commander tells me curfew laws will be strictly enforced.
I remind parents that curfew for minors 12 through 16 years of age is 10:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The curfew for minors younger than 12 years of age is 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
No child under the age of 17 can be outside or in a public place after those hours without a parent or guardian appointed by the parent.
If you would like more information about the police response to the recent shootings or what you can do to help stem the violence, I urge you to attend one of the upcoming monthly CAPS beat meetings.
If you live SOUTH of Lunt and east of Clark or SOUTH of Pratt and west of Clark, your beat meeting will take place this Thursday, April 17th, 7:00 p.m. at the 24th District Police Station, 6464 N. Clark (one block north of Devon).
If you live NORTH of Lunt east of Clark or NORTH of Pratt west of Clark, your beat meeting will take place Thursday, April 24th, 7:00 p.m. at theChicago Science and Math Academy, 7212 N. Clark. (across from Touhy Park and just south of the firehouse)
For a map of the beats in the 24th District and help in finding your beat,CLICK HERE.
Commander Waldera will be present at both meetings. I will be unable to attend the April 17th meeting because of another previously scheduled community meeting that evening, but I will attend the April 24th meeting. My staff will be present at both meetings.
The beat meeting is one of the most important intelligence gathering venues. It’s where the police officers and community residents meet to share information, discuss ongoing concerns and develop strategies to combat those concerns.
I urge you to become an active part of our community by attending the beat meeting in your area.
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
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