betsy

If Republicans in Congress want to help make our country safe, I have some ideas for them.

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Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. This concludes the Chicago 14th Police District Council meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for April 5, 1 p.m. at the Logan Square library. For more meeting coverage, check out documenters.org.

Laurent brings attention to a flyer about self defense courses available in the foyer.

An audience member asks about who is responsible for the email addresses gathered from community members at these meetings. Laurent says that these go to CCPSA staff.

An audience member says there has not been an opportunity to address the fact that at the last meeting a DC had described abuse committed against him and nothing was done about it or said about it. Vargas says everyone is welcome to watch the video of that February meeting.

An audience member asks for an agenda before these meetings. Laurent explains that they are required by law to put forth an agenda before the meeting.

An audience member asks about the best ways to put pressure on CPD.

Another audience member brings up concern about the quality of investigations in general, based on the lackluster investigation done into the Oathkeepers on the force by the BIA.

One audience member says that policies are not being followed, even though the CPD is saying they are being followed.

Vargas brings up the idea of creating a victims' bill of rights.

The audience brings up specific data, an account of what they have done and what they are doing, a timeline of events. They do not want to hear about the Ring doorbells again, or advice like "watch where you are going." Someone says they have not heard one single specific thing CPD has done.

Orlikoff says that they should set up a town hall meeting with the detectives assigned to the sexual assault cases. He wants to get information on what the public would like to see at a town hall.

Laurent asks for forgiveness in regards to seeking justice with the sexual assault cases. He feels as though he has failed in some respect. He mentions Smart911, for which there are fliers about in the foyer.

Vargas says she stands with all the victims in the room, and they will call for a town hall, and continue to seek justice for the victims.

Orlikoff says that they can make a request for safety whistles personal alarms if people are interested.

Orlikoff says that the self defense training is full for March 14. They will make a request to hold more of these if that is what the community wants.

Laurent wraps up public comment. We are moving into DC updates.

Orlikoff tries to clarify her questions by detailing how much DCs are paid and by who.

The next comment is about the same issue. She expresses confusion about the function of this meeting, and speaks about the difficulty to get straight answers from the police, without them deferring to someone else.

The next commenter says "The turn-out I see here tells me everything I need to know about the situation." He says the police are sidestepping questions, and it seems like they do not care about the victims.

The next comment is about the call for Councilor David Orlikoff to resign. He says the lack of transparency in these processes undermines the accountability of the district councilors. There has been no clear articulation of the substantive grievances.

The next commenter asks if the DCs are able to call for a town hall meeting. Laurent says "we can set up a town hall."

The next commenter asks about funds for safety tools. "I want a weapon."

The next commenter expresses frustration with the unclear purpose of this meeting. There is a not a forum for people to express these concerns, if not at this meeting. "I just want people to be held accountable."

The next commenter mentions a Women's Roundtable taking place on March 15 to discuss what they can do for the community, including policy changes and holding folks accountable. She has fliers that she will leave.

The next commenter speaks about how police officers spend a lot of time doing what they shouldn't be doing, and not doing what the should be doing. They encourage the audience to keep coming to these meetings and keep putting pressure on them.

The first commenter questions why police officers are so defensive when given critique. He goes on to talk about how difficult and lengthy of a process it is to report a crime. He understands its a difficult job, but they chose the job.

Laurent says they will now resume the agenda. We are moving into public comment now.

An attendee stands up and says that it is not right for Betancourt to equate being an Oathkeeper or a Proud Boy to liking cats or dogs. Betancourt respond by reiterating what he said earlier. All officers and members of the force begin to leave, and members of the audience shout "Shame!"

The next questioner pushes Linas on the last question. Linas says "I'm sorry you feel that way."