[in person] 5th Police District Council - Roseland/Pullman/Riverdale

Chicago Police District Councils

Monday, June 23, 2025
6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. CDT

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11141 S Cottage Grove Ave Chicago, IL 60628 (Directions)

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Katie Busch

Council member Thomas L. McMahon gives a presentation on the District Strategic Plan.

Live reporting by William Webster

In a contentious 5th district, Police District Council Meeting Council member Thomas L. McMahon gives a presentation on the District Strategic Plan.

williamwebster @willqweb 2/18
Anyone may submit written public comment by delivering it at the public meeting or by emailing it to Javon.Lewis-Brown@cityofchicago.org
williamwebster @willqweb 3/18
It is 6:17 p.m. and the meeting has begun. Council member Robert McKay is absent.
williamwebster @willqweb 4/18
Council member Mckay is now present, it is 6:19 p.m.
williamwebster @willqweb 5/18
There is a minimum of three vacancies on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Applications for these positions may open in December.
williamwebster @willqweb 6/18
On the agenda for today, District Councilor Thomas McMahon will be reviewing the 5th Police District Council’s strategic plan. This plan outlines the district's core crime reduction priorities and community engagement goals over the course of a year.
williamwebster @willqweb 7/18
Thomas McMahon is a retired police captain who was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police during his campaign for Police District Council.
williamwebster @willqweb 8/18
District Strategic Plans (DSPs), are developed in close collaboration with community members, who share their input and feedback during two different community conversations.
williamwebster @willqweb 9/18
McMahon is arguing that two community meetings is not enough for impactful feedback.
williamwebster @willqweb 10/18
An audience member just asked, "How do we increase the number of beats?"
williamwebster @willqweb 11/18
McMahon is answering the question, agreeing that the police don't have enough manpower. Moore and McKay look dismayed. Moore is arguing that we shouldn't be putting resources into the police, they should go into the community.
williamwebster @willqweb 12/18
Council member Moore just said, "No one is talking about what's really going on," arguing that more police will not solve the root of the district's problems.
williamwebster @willqweb 13/18
McKay cut Moore off, saying that McMahon is "turning blue" and offering that he continue his presentation on the Strategic Plan.
williamwebster @willqweb 14/18
There are three community members in the audience. McMahon is expressing frustration with the lack of community participation.
williamwebster @willqweb 15/18
The tension in the room is palpable, with Moore and McKay taking a strong stance against the single community member and McMahon's stance that there should be a stronger police presence in the community.
williamwebster @willqweb 16/18
In fact, McKay and McMahon have a tense history. During the 5th Police District Council election, McKay was forced to run as a write-in candidate after McMahon personally hired an attorney to challenge his eligibility, citing a failure to submit proper financial receipts.
williamwebster @willqweb 17/18
Want to get in touch with the 5th Police District Council? Robert A. McKay, Chair: Robert.McKay2@cityofchicago.org Thomas L. McMahon, Nominating Committee: Thomas.McMahon2@cityofchicago.org Ponchita Moore, Community Engagement: Ponchita.Moore@cityofchicago.org
williamwebster @willqweb 18/18
Meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m. This concludes the 5th Police District Council’s monthly meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2024. For more meeting coverage, check out . documenters.org
documenters.org

Agency Information

Chicago Police District Councils

See meeting notes for details

www.chicago.gov

See Documenters reporting

Each of the 22 District Councils is made up of three people elected by residents of the police district in regular municipal elections every four years, though anyone can participate in District Council work, and the more people who participate, the more effective the District Councils can be. The first District Council elections occurred in February 2023. Just as Chicagoans vote for a mayor and a local ward Alderperson, they also vote for up to three people to serve on the District Council.

The District Councils have several key roles:

  • Building stronger connections between the police and the community at the district level, where the community is a true partner in making the neighborhood safer. They can work with the police to address problems and set priorities.
  • Collaborating in the development and implementation of community policing initiatives.
  • Holding monthly public meetings, where residents can work on local initiatives rooted in community concerns and priorities. They can also raise and work to address concerns about policing in the district, and increase accountability.
  • Working with the community to get input on police department policies and practices. Working to develop and expand restorative justice and similar programs in the police district.
  • Ensuring that the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability gets input from the community, so that the Commission’s work will be based on what people in neighborhoods across the city are concerned about.
  • Nominating members of the Community Commission. Anyone who serves on the Community Commission must first have the support of elected District Council members.

(Source: Municipal Code of Chicago, 2-80-070(a) and (e))

For a map of police districts, visit https://www.chicagocityscape.com/maps/index.php#/?places_type=chipolicedistrict.

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