Residents urge CPD to investigate federal-agent conduct; callers also raise shot-spotters and permit-parking problems
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Public commenters at the Chicago Police Board meeting urged CPD to investigate alleged misconduct by federal agents in Operation Midway, called for reinstating shot-spotter technology, and asked the department to enforce neighborhood permit parking during large church events.
Multiple members of the public used the board’s public-comment period to press the Chicago Police Department for investigations and enforcement in separate but significant community matters.
Noel Clennan, a resident of the 47th Ward, asked the board to direct CPD to investigate Border Patrol agent Charles Exum’s conduct, saying Exum shot Mariema Martinez and that federal prosecutors later dismissed charges; Clennan said CPD has not investigated and urged the department to interview witnesses and review video evidence. "A US citizen and a resident of the city of Chicago was shot by her own government, and our police department has not investigated," Clennan said.
Attorney Tim Defit said timely evidence collection is critical and urged the department to investigate incidents from last summer now rather than deferring action. Sue Greece and other commenters described distress over masked federal agents in neighborhoods during Operation Midway and asked CPD and the state's attorney's office to cooperate on investigations.
Separately, Patricia Puente urged reinstating shot-spotter technology, saying it "saves lives" and improves police response, and expressed frustration that many officers appear to stand in place rather than engage with communities. Several residents from the South Greenwood block (permit zone 2084) — Charlene Beasley and Levita Anderson — described repeated loss of parking spaces during large church services, said posted permit signs are not being enforced, and asked CPD to issue citations and towing as posted rules allow.
Board President Kyle Cooper closed public comment after the scheduled speakers and encouraged those with outstanding problems to speak with CPD staff after the meeting.