CAPS Program Dismantled

Good afternoon, everyone. I have some serious news to pass on to all of you regarding the CAPS program. I have received word that as of today, the CAPS program is virtually dismantled. I'm not sure what's going to happen in terms of reassignments in other districts, but I know that the 25th District will only have two officers and one Sergeant in the program. All other officers in CAPS in 25 have been reassigned to the streets. But that's not the bad news, at least to me. However, I have also been told that CAPS meetings will now only be held quarterly, effective January 1st, 2011. And, to make things worse, CPD will no longer handle problem buildings. Those will be handled by the city's Building Department. So, if any of you have problems with buildings on your block, I encourage you to not only let the cops know (not that they can do anything about it anymore, but letting them know would be good, still), but to call the city's Building Department as well. I do not have the number, unfortunately, but will look for it and give to all of you if I find it.

At this point, I will strongly encourage that more of you form block clubs, or participate as much as you can if your block already has one. And this goes to EVERYONE reading. We need as many block clubs as we can get, and not only in this neighborhood. I know I have quite a few of you reading from other parts of Chicago, and I'm talking to all of you, too. Without CAPS, we're practically screwed, all throughout Chicago. But if you form a block club, get together with your neighbors, hold meetings regularly, address crime and disorder amongst each other, and call 911 as often as necessary, maybe this can work without CAPS. But until then, I doubt it.

Now is the time that all of us community people stand up and fight for change in our neighborhoods. No more sitting there like a quiet little mouse when drug deals are happening out in front of your apartment, no more only reporting a problem and doing nothing on your part, and certainly no more anonymous 911 calls. Give your name when you call, even if the call-taker doesn't ask you your name. And leave a phone number to be contacted at. People, we've got to FIGHT to take our neighborhoods back. And we have to work TOGETHER. If we don't do this, and with CAPS closing, then all hope is gone.

Oh, and before I close out, I also encourage that more of you comment on this blog/email me when there is a problem you're dealing with on your block, in your surrounding area, etc. Especially for gunshots, drug deals, fights, loiters, gangbangers, drunks and whoever and whatever else is a big problem. I have to be honest, I dismiss things like parking, loud music, kids on bikes, because they're not really a problem to me, but for anything big or even considerably worrisome, contact me. All of you know my email (it's on my profile to your right), and few of you have my cell phone number. Hell, there's even a very few of you who know where I live. So there's no excuse not to contact me. I ask that I get contacted, because a lot of people are reading this blog, and not only they can help you with the problem, but we do even have CPD and elected officials looking at this blog also.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this post/matter, and please remember, DO NOT give up hope. We cannot do that whatsoever.