Residents tell Chicago Police Board of noise, parking, unsolved killings and calls for oversight reform

A range of Chicago residents and community advocates used the Police Board's public comment period to press officials on enforcement, oversight and unsolved deaths.

Bobby Kennedy urged legal and policy action over what he called "progressive segregation" in use-of-force symbology and asked that Black and Hispanic communities be formally recognized as disenfranchised; he referenced a consent decree (case number 17 CV 6260) while urging changes to affinity policing programs. Kennedy said, "I would like to declare the black and Hispanic communities as disenfranchised."

Jennifer Edwards thanked CPD for support of a Black History Month event and warned of "police apathy," which she quoted as "a state of indifference or inaction of law enforcement officers toward their duties" and pressed for collaborative work between community groups and CPD to rebuild trust.

Charlene Beasley, a longtime volunteer and former financial officer, described 31 calls for service about illegally parked cars outside a church with only nine tickets issued and alleged inconsistent enforcement linked to special events and permit signage.

Patricia Poente said loud music outside her apartment disturbs residents and said a dispatcher told her there was no enforcement; she cited a "noise ordinance code of 1961, section 27" though the board did not offer an on-the-record legal ruling during the meeting.

Debbie McBounds described a family member who was struck by a vehicle and said she recorded the incident; she said staff at the Morgan Park Police Station treated her granddaughter dismissively and that a sergeant refused to provide a badge number. Board members invited her to stay after the meeting to speak with officers.

Amir Shakur, a journalist and activist, urged COPA and city leaders to implement an early warning system to detect patterns of police misconduct, citing alleged figures for a disbanded District 18 task force — "34 allegations, $160,000 in payouts, 53 reports" — and said a tracking system would help identify patterns earlier.

Rabbi Michael Ben Yosesef and Lashia Collins both urged the board to pursue faster investigation and review of surveillance footage in fatal shootings. Rabbi Ben Yosesef led chants of "Say her name" for a 22-year-old woman he identified as Isis and said the family has received no arrests or meaningful updates; Lashia Collins said her daughter Okanti, age 22, was shot and she has not received an autopsy or footage.

Pastor Doyle closed the public comment period by praising Chief Novales and presenting music-based interventions he said can deter violence. Board leadership invited individual commenters to meet with staff and officers after the meeting when appropriate.