Sneak a peek at its agenda here: chicago.gov/content/dam/ci…

In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed the Empower Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance which (in part) created the 22 District Councils; each represents a different police district, and is intended to improve policing and public safety within the district.

The 19th district is very large, stretching from the Chicago River to Lake Michigan, and from Fullerton Avenue to Lawrence Avenue, and encompassing many neighborhoods

More information on the 19th District Council can be found on their website, , their linktree or 19thdistrictcouncil.com linktr.ee/19thtogether instagram.com/19thtogether/

All three Council Members- Maurilio Garcia, Jenny Schaffer, and Sam Schoenburg- were present at the meeting

First on the agenda was a discussion of progress on the Community Partnership Plan

“When the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) receives 911 calls, the dispatcher gathers information to form a clear understanding of the incident priority level.” igchicago.org/information-po…

The Council has started a data analytics group to work with CPD and OEMC to identify which 911 calls for service actually require a CPD dispatch, and which could be handled by an alternative response

The Council also spoke about their goals to increase camera coverage in the 19th district. They are still working with CPD to identify strategic community locations and install POD cameras.

Reportedly, they have completed the first agenda item (to publicize the ability to register community member's security cameras with CPD), but this program expired in 2023.

He encourages audience members to advocate for restarting the program with City Council, mentioning a rebate program for camera-holders situated on major commercial streets- “this can be a useful evidence gathering resource”

As part of its key goals “to make our community’s resources more easily available and accessible to every resident,” this meeting continued with a tour of the website, led by Maurilio Garcia, which features an updated resource portal. 19thdistrictcouncil.com/resource-portal

Housing, LGBTQIA+ specific, mental health resources, including mobile units for mental health crises, are now available on the website. Garcia encourages community members to reach out if any of the information is not up to date. “The 3 of us can’t do it alone!”

“This is a great resource if you’re not comfortable calling the police.” 19thdistrictcouncil.com/resource-porta…

He also points to the data and reporting focus of this Resource Portal, promising to make information, such as arrest and incident reports and community survey responses, publicly visible, downloadable and transparent on this website.

The audience seems enthusiastic, including one commenter who asks him to repeat the resources. “You’re going too fast,” he exclaims. Garcia mentions the email address on the website and encourages him to reach out to them directly.

Jenny Schaffer opens the floor to participants who are involved in community groups, inviting them to speak more about their group and any upcoming events that 19th district members can attend.

She also plugs the 19th CPD District’s National Night Out event on August 6, 2024 from 5:30–7:30 PM at Welles Park.

At 7:00, the Committee pivots to a discussion about the Pretrial Fairness Act, and introduces 3 panelists.

Sam Schoenburg briefly describes the Pretrial Fairness Act, which changes how justice is administered before determination that a crime has been committed. The act can be found here: ilga.gov/legislation/10…

He urges the audience to withhold their judgment while listening to the panelists, and mentions that the evening is intended to bring understanding to what this act is and how it’s going so far. More information can be found at pretrialfairness.org

“As of September 2023, Illinois officially became the first state to abolish the unfair practice of jailing people accused of crimes simply because they cannot afford to pay a money bond.” aclu-il.org/en/campaigns/e…

“Ending the money bond system in Illinois also addresses mass incarceration and racial disparities in Illinois’ criminal legal system. Evidence shows that the use of money bonds exacerbates racial disparities, more often leading to the detention of people of color.”

Ben Ruddell expounds on the effects of Money Bonds in Illinois, and how they acted as a “wealth based punishment that perpetuates economic inequality” in the old system.

“The presumption of innocence is a bedrock of the American legal system, but folks were being denied this because they were poor.”

“This Act takes us from a wealth based system to a risk based system, letting the judges think about the real issue- what is the risk of this person harming someone else or fleeing before their trial date?”

He speaks about how pretrial incarceration is a “destabilizing” and harmful experience, impacting both the accused as well as their family and community, and impeding their ability to mount a defense while increasing the likelihood of a longer sentence or future arrests.

More information here: americanprogress.org/article/5-ways…