Thread by @Eb_Writes26

Hello! I’ll be covering tonight’s meeting for the 8th Police District Council hosted by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.

The meeting is taking place at West Lawn Fieldhouse at 4233 W 65th St. at 6:30 PM.
@CHIdocumenters
#CHIDocumenters

This district includes West Lawn, Chicago Lawn, Ashburn, Midway, Gage Park and Archer Heights.

Here is the agenda: chicago.gov/content/dam/ci…

Chairman Jason Huff is going over the agenda and introducing everyone. In attendance is Bryan Spreyne, 8th Police District Commander and MacKenzie Thurman from COPA.

The first public commenter is Jamie. She mentions the lack of running water, she makes demands of having charges dropped for one particular asylum seeker.

Eddie, a volunteer, expresses his exhaustion.

“I feel like we need to get all sides of the city, police department and community in the same page. What can we do to better communication? A lot of lives are at stake. We need to get these families the help that they need.”

Daniel, another volunteer, mentions that help is needed for providing food and medication. He mentions a link for those who are interested in helping.

“This situation will not stop anytime soon.”

Another public commenter, asks Commander Spreyne to drop charges against the mother.

Spreyne responds, “quite a few things have been brought to my attention. I think we should be also be able to plainly see lack of communication. I’m a reasonable person and I believe in treating everyone fairly.”

He claims that there are not enough restrooms for so many people, that plumbing in the entire building has been affected. “I think the view or the scope gets skewed.” He mentions that he has requested extra garbage cans and porter potties.

Spreyne also mentions that everyone was moved across the street due to a deep cleaning that is taking place.

“It’s not an ideal situation.”

He goes in the appreciate the volunteers.

An audience member asks for specifics about the charges. Spreyne mentions that he cannot go into detail about the charges brought against the mother.

Frank, working with the public safety committee with Mayor Johnson (along with many other titles), mentions an upcoming meeting that will take place.

“The meetings that are taking place right now reflect less than one percent of the people who live in the district. Our concern is to get more people to participate in these meetings,” Frank says.

“If we’re not overseeing the police, there are multiple agencies that are,” says Chairman Huff.

Another audience member, asks about other resources.

Chairman Huff responds with people from various wards about various issues and putti together a summary to give to the Commander.

Huff mentions that tonight’s audience is the biggest that he’s ever seen.

Jamie asks Commander Spreyne what was the cause for the mother being arrested.

Spreyne responds that he cannot get into details of an ongoing investigation.

Jamie responds that situations related to this “need to be de-escalated,” receiving a few cheers and snaps from the audience.

An audience member is inquiring about the purpose of this meeting and differences between the Police district council meeting and a CAPS meeting.

Daniel encourages the audience to attend the Police Beat meetings.

Huff responds, “the crowd was full.” He also mentions that the CAPS meetings have an email address for people to address any concerns.

Albert Cacciottolo, Nominating Committee, mentions the next nominating committee meeting is September 23rd. The seven commissioners spots are open.

Mark Hamberlin, Community Engagement, mentions trying to get more kids to participate in events by going to various schools in the district.

“It’s going to take all of us to get us back to where we need to be.”

The police district council has approved the minutes from the previous meeting, 3-0.

Thurman from COPA is now speaking.

Thurman is explaining the purpose COPA. “We genuinely receive [about] 4,000 [misconduct] complaints a year.”

He also mentions receiving misconduct complaints from other police officers.

Thurman mentions the COPA people’s academy, where the public can learn more about what COPA does. Here is a flyer.

An audience member mentions that he filed a complaint to COPA and that it took 3 years to receive a response.

Thurman mentions something that COPA will implement called the timeliness initiative”

“We recognize that we have not been where we want to be with that [initiative].”

An audience member inquired about how often does COPA not agree with recommendations.

Daniel speaks to Spreyne and says that no one should be mistreated.

“Please know that you are being held to a higher standard.”

Chairman Huff encourages audience members to speak to aldermen and other representatives.

Jeylu B. Gutierrez, 14th ward Alderwoman, speaks.

“There is a lot of work that needs to get done. I command you all to help out. Continue working together.”

Chairman Huff encourages the audience to attend conversations for the 2024 strategic plan.

Huff thanks everyone for coming out. The next meeting will be October 16th, 2023, which is tentative. He reminds everyone that this weekend is Mexican Independence Day. “Pulaski might be jammed. Please be patient with officers.”

The meeting adjourned at 7:39PM.