While the MPD is made up of approximately 477 authorized commissioned personnel, we depend on our civilian staff to get us through each day. Whether it be assisting customers on the phones or walk-ins to districts, typing police reports, ensuring our technology systems are up and running, making sure we get paid, managing our records, providing fingerprint services, conducting background checks on taxi driver applicants, maintaining/tracking/storing evidence...the list goes on and on...our civilian staff are just as crucial to our operation as our commissioned personnel are. So who are they? Let's look at our Property Section today.
Our property section is staffed by all civilians – one property room supervisor, five property clerks and one bicycle recovery specialist. This unit is responsible for the intake, storage, tracking, maintaining and the eventual disposition of all property and evidence collected or turned into the department. The property section was responsible for the storage and tracking of approximately 128,000 pieces of evidence and property in 2017. The property room collected approximately 20,000 items of property and disposed of 16,000 items. They also sent approximately 302 lost and unclaimed items to auction and generated approximately $19,000 for the city's General Fund. They are one busy efficient unit! Given the trajectory of how much property is retained as evidence and for other considerations, eventually we will have to forge ahead in locating a bigger, centralized state-of-the-art facility to meet the needs of property.
The information contained in my blog is derived from notes provided by MPD Officers-In-Charge (OIC) at the end of their shifts. Most narratives represent early and preliminary information that was gathered by an OIC from those in the field who were actively working cases. The OIC is sharing what they were being told, in the moment. In many instances, facts and circumstances, even the type of crime listed, can change as officers, detectives and investigators continue their work.
From 5:00 a.m. on 07/17/2018 through 5:00 a.m. on 07/18/2018, MPD received 513 calls for service. This number does not include parking complaints or 911 misdials. For purposes of clarification, the following abbreviations are short-hand for race designations: W=White, AA=African American, NA=Native American, H=Hispanic, ME=Middle Eastern, A=Asian, MR=Mixed Race, U=Unknown. MPD shifts are staggered as follows: 1st detail=7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2nd detail=12 p.m. to 8 p.m., 3rd detail=3 p.m. to 11 p.m., 4th detail=8 p.m. to 4 a.m., 5th detail=11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
To further break down the 513 calls for service for the past 24-hours this is how the calls came in per district: Central (87), East (132), Midtown (68), North (55), South (59), West (69), and Other (43). Other=these are calls for service that either do not have a sector listed or the sector is not in the City. For example, if one of our officers assists another law enforcement agency, their sector is not listed in our districts so therefore it is listed under "other".
1) CENTRAL: Information/Armed Robbery – 6:07 a.m. Officers responded to the 1600 block of Fordem Ave for an armed robbery. The victim (38-year-old AAM) came home, and reported trying to access his parking garage when he was confronted by an AAM suspect who pointed a handgun at him. According to the victim, the suspect reached into his vehicle and removed cash. The suspect fled on foot. Investigation continuing.
2) WEST: Info/Check Area – 9:28 a.m. Officers responded to a possible disturbance in the 7900 block of Tree Lane. An event was being held promoting long-term homeless shelter housing options. A lot of people were attending in hopes of landing a handful of available apartments. Officers were called to ensure appropriate decorum. No action was deemed necessary by the police.
3) EAST: Disturbance – 11:29 a.m. Officers responded to Cottage Grove Rd for a disturbance between two subjects (24-year-old AAM and 22-year-old WF). The male and female are dating and got into a verbal argument. The male half decided to leave to avoid any further issues. The male subject packed his gun into his backpack. The police were called due to concerns about the gun and a statement was made that the gun was pointed at the female; however this was not substantiated. All parties were separated. No charges are forthcoming at this time. Investigation continuing.
4) EAST: Missing/Runaway Juvenile – 2:41 p.m. Officers responded to a report of a missing/runaway juvenile (16-year-old WM). No immediate concerns were noted for the welfare of the juvenile. Attempt to locate aired. The juvenile was entered as missing/runaway in the appropriate databases. Investigation continuing.
5) WEST: Drug Incident/Overdose – 4:14 p.m. Officers responded to Schroeder Rd for a subject (19-year-old WF) experiencing a possible overdose. The subject was conveyed to a local hospital for an evaluation. No charges have been substantiated at this time. Investigation continuing.
6) WEST: Recovered/Stolen Vehicle – 4:19 p.m. While responding to another call, officers observed a stolen auto, which was occupied. The two occupants/suspects were contacted. The driver/suspect (48-year-old AAM) was arrested for operating a motor vehicle without consent (OMVWOC). The passenger/suspect (58-year-old AAM) was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
7) MIDTOWN: Check Person – 7:57 p.m. Officers responded to check the welfare of a suicidal subject (36-year-old WM). Phone contact was made with the subject and he agreed to exit his residence to meet with officers. The subject was found to be intoxicated. Two guns were temporarily removed from the residence for safekeeping. The subject was conveyed to Detox. Investigation continuing.
8) EAST: Domestic Disturbance – 11:03 p.m. Officers responded several times to a residence on N. Thompson Dr for conflict between roommates. Two subjects were contacted (24-year-old WF and 23-year-old WF). No charges were substantiated during the first contact and the parties were separated. Later in the night, the police were called back because the 23-year-old (victim) returned home (after leaving when the police first responded) to gather some personal items. The victim found her room had been trashed and items broken. Her roommate (24-year-old) was arrested for domestic criminal damage to property.
9) EAST: Recovered/Stolen Auto – 12:15 a.m. Chicago PD reported they had a stolen vehicle from our community in their possession with four occupants being arrested. The registered owner was contacted and put in touch with Chicago PD. Investigation continuing.
10) NORTH: Adult Arrested Person – 2:36 a.m. Officers responded to E. Washington Ave for a report of a wanted subject on scene. The suspect (32-year-old AAM) was contacted and he was initially cooperative but then attempted to flee. The suspect was apprehended and charged with resisting as well as his outstanding warrants.