About the Ward   >  Crime Prevention and Safety

Due to close cooperation between the Alderman's office, law enforcement, and the community, the 36th Ward enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the city. Through a proactive combination of legislation and innovative programs, we are working to promote safety, stability, and a high quality of life for all 36th Ward constituents.

Ongoing crime prevention initiatives include:

• Block Watch, Beat Representative, and Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Programs Alternative law enforcement programs have been implemented and expanded by Alderman Banks in cooperation with the Superintendent of Police, District Commanders of the 25th and 16th Police Districts, and local residents.
  
  
• Harlem Avenue Summer Policing Project A joint project of the police officials of Chicago, Elmwood Park and the Alderman's office, this program creates a coordinated strategy to deal with summertime traffic and youth problems along Harlem Avenue.
  
  
• Anti-Ammunition Ordinance Restricts the sale of ammunition in the City of Chicago.
  
  
• Drug Paraphernalia Ordinance This ordinance requires business licenses to be revoked or suspended for any party found to be delivering, furnishing, or transferring drug paraphernalia.
  
  
• Dress Code Proposal This ordinance would allow the Chicago Public School System to implement regulations aimed at decreasing the display of gang colors in schools.
  
  
• Closed Campus at Steinmetz High School By working with the Board of Education and the Local School Councils, Alderman Banks was able to close the campus at Steinmetz High School.
  

Community safety initiatives include:

• Lawsuits Against Building Code Violators Alderman Banks has personally filed 350 lawsuits and demands for demolition proceedings against building code violators.
  
  
• Requests for Building Safety Inspections Alderman Banks has personally filed more than 2,500 requests for immediate Building Department and Zoning Department inspections for unsafe buildings. Hazardous eyesores such as the Montclare Theater Building and Gateway Bowling Alley have been eliminated and replaced by productive new businesses as a result of the Alderman's actions.
  
  
• Traffic Safety Alderman Banks led the fight for automatic traffic control signals which have improved safety conditions on Addison Street, Forest Preserve Drive and Panama Street.
  
  
• Expanded Paramedic Services The 36th Ward received the City's first new fire truck that is fully equipped with ambulance medical equipment after Alderman Banks introduced a resolution calling for an increase in the number of paramedic units in the City of Chicago.