Live reporting by
William Garcia
Months after CPD came under fire for keeping police officers with ties to extremist groups, the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, on the force, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) wants CPD to update and publicize its list of prohibited (“criminal or biased”) organizations.
Tonight's 6:30pm @CCPSA_Chicago meeting is being held in-person at Truman College (1145 W Wilson) and is also accessible via Zoom.
Meeting agenda and Zoom information (source PDF: ) cityofchicago-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…
cityofchicago-org.zoom.us/webinar/regist…
Next is public comment. Folks can speak at a live meeting, present written comments to CCPSA staff, or submit their comments via email.
Public comment section has been extended to discuss desires and concerns regarding CPD's proposed budget, which will soon be released.
1. David White discusses mental health related 911 calls and urges support for Treatment Not Trauma.
3. Patrick McNeil says people often approach the CPD budget with too much emotion and calls for more rationality. They say longer 911 call response times and fewer patrol officers are not acceptable outcomes.
5. 17th District Council member Elizabeth Rochford calls for a metric measuring cooperation and collaboration between the police districts and the district councils.
6. 19th District Council member calls for more data considering where officers spend their time and how those decisions are made. They also echo comments of previous commenter from the 17th district.
7. Comments regarding the gang database. The commenter requested that CCPSA get more details from CPD regarding the database, especially its cost. They also claim goings-on in private businesses should be considered by CCPSA. Calls for decriminalizing sex/drug work.
8. Alma Kreuser calls for more police on the street and opposes decreasing CPD budget. They say the public is not safe and there is no accountability for the criminals. Claims that CCPSA spends too much time bashing the police instead of focusing on criminals.
9. Deirdre O'Connor is a 20th District Council member. They asked district citizens what they would ask for newly confirmed Supt Snelling: - Difference in pursuit policies in CPD and Illinois Police - What to do about ShotSpotter - Will political corruption be prioritized?
9. continued -- $2.3 billion is allocated to CPD and grows each year. This does not include police settlements. Calls for deeper inspection of budget.
10. Outgoing Police Board President Ghian Foreman has served on the Police Board for 13 years. He supports the three supt candidates CCPSA proposed. He talks about CCPSA's role in appointing Police Board members, asking CCPSA to keep in mind the public service implications.
Public comment period has ended. No previous meeting minutes to approve.
Once the new members of the Police Board are appointed, the majority of its members will have gone through CCPSA.
CCPSA says they have six exceptional candidates for the Police Board. Their names are read aloud. CCPSA unanimously passes the motion to nominate the six candidates to the Mayor. The Mayor will have 30 days to render decision.
Cliff Nellis recused himself for the vote for two of the candidates, because they are his colleagues.
CCPSA thanks Foreman for his 13 years of service on the Police Board.
CCPSA says folks can still submit their applications for Police Board even though the current vacancies are being filled. More info: chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…
Commissioner Terry provides updates regarding directives and draft policies for CPD.
CCPSA added an amendment to G08-03, which prohibits CPD officers from being members of or associating with criminal organizations.
Additional proposed changes to G08-03 and CCPSA suggestions/comments
CCPSA wants CPD to periodically share lists of prohibited (criminal and biased) organizations. A vote is expected in late October. There will be opportunities for public education and community engagemet/feedback.
Commissioner Gomez notes that the policy hasn't been changed since 1997 and that it's a nuanced situation that required much investigation on part of CCPSA. Gomez says the policy is changing tremendously.
Commissioner Loizon says CCPSA website will have information about an upcoming webinar regarding the proposed policy changes and opportunities for public comment. Updates will also go out to mailing list members.
Commissioner Terry provides an update about the CPD Supt selection. Supt Snelling is confirmed. CCPSA must now hold 4 public forums attended by Supt Snelling and in which community members can comment - Hearings on North, South, West sides - One hearing held virtually
President Driver talks about the recent increase in robberies, saying he was a victim of an armed robbery earlier this year. He says that some folks are at increased risk due to the nature of their jobs. For example, food delivery drivers are more exposed.
Driver says that the Johnson administration has been more supportive of CCPSA than the previous administration. CCPSA has invited the Mayor's office and CPD representatives to address worker public safety at tonight's meeting.
Garien Gatewood is Chicago's Deputy Mayor of Community Safety and introduces a rep from CPD (couldn't catch their name).
Elise Foster is the President of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 11 and is a letter carrier herself. Foster says, "Enough is enough" and is sickened by recent robberies of and assaults against letter carriers.
Foster says letter carriers should not have to live in fear. There are over 100 reported cases of robberies and assaults of letter carriers, mostly in the Chicagoland area. One letter carrier was recently shot in the leg and has nerve damage in his leg, making it hard to walk.
Foster says victimized letter carriers are too traumatized to return to their routes. This impacts service along the route, resulting in service delays. Foster demands support and action.
Foster says Senator Durbin recently wrote to the DOJ requesting help. There has been a lack of information going back to letter carriers regarding response from the federal government. Foster understands some federal law enforcement operations are kept secret.
Foster says she has met with reps from five different police districts and has been told suspects are not being charged due to lack of evidence.
Foster says that the same routes have been victimized multiple times. Recently, a brick was thrown through a mail truck window.
Gatewood and Foster have agreed to meet and further discuss letter carrier safety and ways to address safety issues.
Commissioner Brown asks Foster if body-worn cameras for letter carriers have been discussed. Foster says yes, and that panic buttons or whistles have also been discussed. Foster says they have received community support. Folks have displayed signs in their homes showing support.
ATU Local 308 President Eric Dixon says his members are facing unacceptable safety risks every day. "We move Chicago." Dixon talks about the critical role transit operators played during the pandemic. He says CTA budget costs and service cuts have impacted worker safety.
Dixon says CTA eliminated train conductors who had provided a presence throughout trains and calls for the city to bring back the transit police force, saying current security guards are not sufficient.
Dixon says we need to make sure criminals are prosecuted. He also says transit operators are not trained to deal with the increased numbers of homeless folks or riders with psychological issues.
Commissioner Troncoso asks Dixon about disputes and assaults stemming from people not paying fares. There are "fareless" proposals to avoid such issues. Dixon is from the train side and doesn't face this issue as often as bus operators, who are also present tonight.
Brown asks Dixon about the transit police force and if Metra would also be included. Dixon says any officers they see on transit these days are working overtime and that the K-9 officers and unarmed guards are not doing a good job protecting riders or operators.
Dixon says someone was shot this week on the Red line at 55th, and there were no safety officers presence. He says folks think they can get away with anything since there are no transit officers present.
The commander from CPD (didn't catch their name earlier) says CPD is committed to working with transit operators and letter carriers. Dixon says he appreciates the comments, but they are tired of lip service.
Gatewood tells Dixon they are happy to include him in working on solutions.
Rep from bus operators (didn't catch their name) is up now and asks for a partnership with CPD. "We need this." They said that if folks are too scared to ride transit, they don't know what the City will do.
Loizon says CCPSA should talk to the States Attorney's office and other government and law enforcement agencies for collaboration and support regarding public safety issues, especially on public transit.
Gomez asks if there are potentially economic solutions to the causes of transit crime. Gomez is suggesting looking for solutions that don't necessarily involve increased police presence.
The transit reps say they advise their workers to not escalate situations over folks not paying fares. Additionally, they say that even CPD cannot find solutions to issues regarding riders with psychological issues. They acknowledge the complex causes of many crime issues.
JC Muhammad is a rep from the Chicago Gig Alliance. Many Uber and Lyft drivers are members. Reports have said 67% of drivers have experienced safety issues. 70% of drivers of color continue to drive even though they feel unsafe.
Muhammad discusses the Murdered Behind the Wheel report, which details statistics surrounding drivers who experienced violence or harassment. More: acrecampaigns.org/research_post/…
acrecampaigns.org/research_post/…
Muhammad is also a ride share driver and says he was personally assaulted by a young rider who asked to use his cell phone. The rider opened Muhammad's CashApp and took out money. Leaving the car, the rider physically assaulted Muhammad. Lyft couldn't identify the rider.
Muhammad asks for public tracking of data regarding violence against rideshare drivers.
Muhammad also asks for a liaison between CCPSA, CPD, and ride share drivers. In addition, calls for ride share companies to provide safety equipment such as dash cams.
Muhammad also says there is a ride share ordinance before City Council. Included in the ordinance is a provision that riders must prove identity to be eligible for rides.
Muhammad confirms they have received strong support from City Council members (27 cosponsors on the ordinance). Muhammad is also asking for stronger public support.
Muhammad says that lack of regulation for ride share companies is delaying progress in addressing the safety concerns of ride share drivers.
Muhammad stressed that he prefers deterrence over punishment, and CCPSA seems to agree.
I'm talking about his own experience with being a victim of robbery, Driver acknowledges he didn't have to face the same circumstances as public workers such as letter carriers who have to return to the same route.
This concludes my coverage for @CHIdocumenters. #CHIDocumenters Please see for more information. Reply to this thread or DM me with any questions. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…
chicago.gov/city/en/depts/…