[remote or in person] Police District Council 014 - Shakespeare (Humboldt Park, Avondale, Lincoln Park, West Town, Logan Square)

Today’s meeting is taking place at the Haas Park Fieldhouse in Logan Square. Commander Melinda Linas and Deputy Chief William Betancourt will reportedly be in attendance today. Here’s the agenda:

This meeting is also being live streamed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DistrictCouncil14/video

There is assorted documentation available in the foyer:

There are around 35+ people in attendance tonight, by my count.

The meeting is called to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilors Laurent and Vargas are present. A quorum is reached.

Several attendees ask for Laurent to speak up, and ask if there is a microphone.

We are deviating from the schedule and moving straight into questions for Commander Linas and Deputy Chief Betancourt.

Commander Linas answers a few initial question about traffic stops: the breakdown of stops to arrests.

A question is posed about the presence of CPD officers with extremist ties, specifically Michael Nowacki. She says they do not discuss personal matters in a public forum.

Another similar question is posed, and she reiterates what was said before, and says that she personally does not have control over who is employed in the 14th district.

Councilor Orlikoff arrived and joined the other councilors seated at the front.

The next question is about how many total calls the district has received and what percentage of them were related to mental health crises. Commander Linas says she does not have specific numbers, and that a formal request would need to be submitted.

The next question asks about the CARES unit. Linas says the department does not participate in this anymore.

The next question asks about the recent sexual assaults in Logan Square, and what the department is doing to respond to this. She says that the processing of DNA evidence is crucial and it’s a slow process, but they are looking into ways to expedite it.

You can read more about the Logan Square assault cases here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/02/26/hundreds-pack-logan-square-police-meeting-seeking-answers-on-sexual-assault-cases

The next question asks about how victims of assault are kept in the now on the progress of their cases. Betancourt says that they are careful not to re-traumatize the victims.

Linas adds that they are committed to support the victims, and she also mentions the Sexual Assault Incident Notice:
https://directives.chicagopolice.org/forms/CPD-23.404.pdf

There is a question about the relationship between the 14th district and Area 5, the latter which Betancourt oversees. Betancourt says that Area 5 offers supplementary help and officers where needed. They share information, intelligence, and resources.

I could not hear the next question, but Commander Linas responds by pointing the audience to this order: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/ccpsa/pdfs/G01-11/CCPSA_DRAFT_18APR24%20(1).pdf

The next question is about eliminating pre-textual traffic stops. Linas says she “is not part of those discussions.”

The next question asks specifically if Linas will commit to verbally supporting an end to pre-textual traffic stops at the next CCPSA meeting. She does not give a clear answer.

Commander Linas now reads a statement concerning deportation, and the many ways that CPD will not assist ICE in the arresting/deportation of immigrants.

We are moving out of the submitted questions section of the Q&A, and are moving into live questions from the attendees.

The first question is about what CPD is doing in terms of prevention of sexual assaults. Linas mentions a few personal measures, such as talking about it, walking in groups, self defense classes, etc. What the department is doing is deploying more officers, in uniform and not in uniform.

The next question is about using PDC funds for safety supplies. Laurent says they will answer this later.

The next question is about Michael Nowacki, an officer who has ties to the Oathkeepers, and whether or not he is retiring. Linas does not have an answer.

The next question is also about officers with extremist ties. Betancourt says that they exist throughout the country, and “it is what it is”, and they have rights to privacy.

The next question is about how citizens can trust police officers. The attendee was assaulted by a police officer when she was younger. Betancourt says “the biggest part of what we need is communication” between citizens and police officers. He wants to know when officers are making mistakes.

The next questioner asks how the undocumented community can work with the police force, in terms of reporting crimes and seeking help. “We’re traumatized.” Betancourt doesn’t give a substantial answer.

The next question is about the absence of the detectives investigating the sexual assaults at these meetings. Linas says that they do have special meetings where they are in attendance, but that is not what this meeting is for. There is a bit of back and forth between the question asker and Linas.

Linas says there needs to be better communication and planning by the district council members since this is not a police meeting.

The next question is about Michael Nowacki, and how he is in charge of other officers because he is a sergeant. The attendee wants to know why they would put him in that position, knowing about his ties to Oathkeepers. She mentions the lackluster investigation done by the BIA. There is applause.

Linas says she will bring up the issue again. You can read more about officers in CPD with extremist ties here: https://chicago.suntimes.com/extremism-in-the-ranks

It was difficult to hear the next question, but is concerns one of the assaults reported in Logan Square, and how it may not have been filed correctly. Commander Linas says she cannot respond to that.

The next attendee says she was assaulted, and police told her it was her fault for being attacked because she fought back. Linas defends her police officers, and says she could not be more proud of all the work the officers have done. Some officers in attendance applaud.

The next questioner pushes Linas on the last question. Linas says “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

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!”

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

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.

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 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 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 asks about funds for safety tools. “I want a weapon.”

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 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 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 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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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 https://documenters.org.