Community Based Prosecution Unit in Action: Resident, Organizers and Community Prosecutors Working Together to Find Solutions
Jul 18th, 2010
“Rasheeda” has lived near 21st and Burleigh her entire life. She bought a house just down the street from where she grew up. Over the years she has seen her community transition from a safe and stable neighborhood filled with proud home owners who cared for their properties; to a block becoming overwhelmed by vacant, poorly maintained properties which are sometimes the scene of criminal activity.
For the past four years Rasheeda has worked to report nuisance problems as an active block watcher with Safe & Sound Community Partner Talibah Mateen. She has never shied away from taking action to report problems on her block. She has dealt with problems like illegal auto work conducted in the streets, and the illegal dumping of oil and other debris on vacant lots. She even worked with the City to get a decrepit house razed.
Recently, the crime on her block escalated from loud music, loitering, and general nuisance properties to drug dealing and gun activity that caused Rasheeda and other residents of the block to feel unsafe even in their own homes. Unfortunately, one of the senior residents from her street recently decided to move off the block because of ongoing stress caused by the crime. The stress even sent her to the hospital at one point. Residents had had enough but it wasn’t until Mateen introduced Rasheeda to Safe & Sound Community Prosecution Unit Coordinator Kati Tillema that she thought she could finally resolve the situation on her block.
The hub of the illegal activities was one house in severe disrepair. The house was bank owned and believed to be vacant but the old tenants remained, even without furniture or electricity. Rasheeda met with Mateen and Kati to discuss the nature of the problem, including drug use, loud music, and raucous behavior in the streets.
Based on the numerous criminal complaints Kati and Mateen gathered from Rasheeda and other residents, Community Prosecution Unit Officers executed a “knock and talk” at the address. Officers Feathers, Howard, Washington and Carus verified all of the complaints from residents, recovering a variety of illegal drugs and arresting seven individuals squatting at the property. The Department of Neighborhood Services was called to inspect the property for code violations and then promptly boarded and secured the building. Within an hour Rasheeda called Kati and Mateen to thank them and to express how relieved and happy she was to have seen a quick response after months of frustration and fear on her block.
The story highlights the unique collaboration of community and law enforcement through the Community Prosecution Units. It is also a great example of how residents, Safe & Sound and law enforcement can restore control and lay the groundwork for real change in a neighborhood.
