CHICAGO (WGN) — Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) organized a meeting Tuesday night hoping to address public safety concerns after an Alcott College Prep student was shot less than two weeks ago in Hamlin Park.
Waguespack was joined by Chicago Public School officials and police from the Chicago Police Department’s 19th District, who told those assembled at the meeting additional security measures have been put in place by CPS in the wake of the Hamlin Park shooting.
Those security measures include metal detectors that screen all students who enter Alcott College Prep, extra security guards and additional CPD patrols in the area, even though police believe it to be an isolated incident.
“I would not characterize this as a hotspot,” said one officer who spoke at the meeting.
WGN News spoke with Waguespack afterward. The alderman said an allocation study is underway across the City of Chicago to help determine when and where police officers are placed, with 911 calls and residents’ feedback being primary factors in the study.
“Specifically, 911 calls or info coming in that is very helpful to understand where those hot spots are,” Waguespack said. “It’s really based on the overall activity in the area … Up on the North Side, they’re tracking numbers and will help determine where those changes need to be made.
“I think wherever you live in Chicago, be vigilant. We say, Hamlin Park or the North Side, you have to be concerned about where your kids are every night, watching your kids, and I think that goes for any neighborhood in the city.”
Lincoln Square restaurant spearheads campaign to end 117-year alcohol ban The latest crime data from CPD shows overall crime is down marginally year-to-date, but offenses like burglary and aggravated battery are up 31 and 29%, respectively.
The Hamlin Park shooting took place on Oct. 4 around the time Alcott College Prep was dismissed for the day.
According to CPD, a red SUV pulled up and two individuals got out of the vehicle before opening fire on a 15-year-old boy who was shot in the back and the arm in what police believe was a targeted incident related to gang affiliations.
The 15-year-old boy was taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital in serious condition.
If you live in the area surrounding Hamlin Park and have cameras, Waguespack asked residents to check them and send any footage that might be helpful to the 19th District at caps.019district@chicagopolice.org , or call the 19th District at 312-744-8320 and reference RD# JH455488 for the police report.
CPD will also be hosting two community meetings at Harry S. Truman College in the month of October. One meeting will take place on Oct. 17, the other on Oct. 30, with both taking place from 6-8 p.m. CT.
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