14 Gazette www.gazettechicago.com eedition.gazettechicago.com April 2, 2021 By Joseland Nixon The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) constitutes a large, vibrant community on the Near West Side and in University Village. As in any large community, however, addressing crime is a fact of life. To make the communities in and around the university safer, UIC has its own police department. The University of Illinois Chi- cago Police Department (UICPD) is a fully functioning police orga- nization employing approximately 80 peace officers and 91 civilians. Though labeled as "peace" offi- cers, UICPD officers have most of the powers possessed by police in cities and by sheriffs, includ- ing the power to make arrests and issue warrants concerning viola- tions of State statutes and City or county ordinances. Unlike other police, UIC police do not deal with community hous- ing issues and are not authorized to enforce immigration laws. They do not have the ability to issue municipal (City) violations, or cre- ate specialty units (such as SWAT or gang units). They bring in the Chicago Police for situations such as civil unrest, active shooter at large, major hazardous incidents, or major motor vehicle crashes. In other instances, however, UICPD execute police powers. UICPD is one of the largest non-municipal police departments operating in the City of Chicago. Its officers patrol both the east and west campuses of a community that consists of more than 33,000 students, 3,100 faculty, 3,200 grad- uate assistants, and 10,000 addi- tional staffmembers over approxi- mately 250 acres; its budget is less than one percent of UIC's over- all budget. Its area of jurisdiction also includes UIC's Sooth Campus and University Village, which runs along Roosevelt Road from Morgan Street to Union Avenue and bor- ders south to 15th Place. As defined by university rules, UICPD's role is to protect the lives and property of the university, its students, and staff. According to its mission statement, UICPD is "in full partnership with the Uni- versity and its surrounding com- munities, is committed to the safety and security of the cam- pus and its neighborhoods, so as to create the most enriching aca- demic environment and quality of life for all UIC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors." According to UICPD, it accom- plishes these goals best through its Police Advancing Commu- nity Engagement (P.A.C.E) unit, which provides lectures and ed- ucation for all incoming students and staff on general safety; alco- hol and drug awareness; bicycle support including bike registra- tion, proper locking techniques instruction, and safety tips on how to ride safely in the city; emer- gency SMS texting and emergency call box operations, resident hous- ing; and campus safety concern- ing active assailants. About 75% of UICPD officers are certified in crisis intervention training and 100% receive training on the psychology of domestic vi- olence and sexual assault trauma informed response. The UICPD maintains a strong and successful relationship with the Chicago Police Department (CPD). CPD's 12th District over- laps UICPD's policing area, which requires the two departments to work together frequently. "I thoroughly enjoy working for a department who remains pro- gressive in providing public safety to the faculty, staff, students, vis- itors, and the surrounding neigh- borhood population," said UICPD Sergeant Terry Williams. "For de- cades our department has had a cohesive working relationship with CPD, and my experience with CPD has reflected that relationship." "We could not have better part- ners than the UIC Police Depart- ment," stated 12th District CPD Commander Gabriella Shemash. UICPD's patrol operations di- vision officers cover the campus in police cars and on bicycles and foot patrols. Its special operations group manages investigations, the CPD/UICPD joint robbery task force, P.A.C.E., and student pa- trols. The department also pub- lishes an annual report of crime and fire statistics. Policing during COVID-19 Working during the corona- virus (COVID-19) pandemic has made policing more complicated. Both UICPD and Chicago Police hold more meetings virtually, and both have adapted and enhanced tech skills to support new ways to engage with their communities. UICPD upgraded operations with shift adjustments and offer- ing COVID-19 saliva testing. It also set up sanitation stations and sig- nage throughout the station along with other measures to ensure em- ployees and visitors remain safe so long as COVID remains an issue. It also recently participated in two initiatives to strengthen rela- tionships between the university and the surrounding community. Coordinated by the P.A.C.E. unit, these programs delivered much needed support to local organi- zations as well as some holiday cheer. "While home is a safe place for most of us, for others, it is the last place they want to be," said Williams. "Add in the financial and emo- tional stress caused by COVID-19, lockdowns and curfews, increased isolation of family members, and children who are now learning from home, and you can see how any of these things can take a toll." UICPD officers wanted to do more for domestic violence assis- tance and spent the fall collecting items most needed by domestic violence shelters including soap, shampoo, and feminine hygiene items as well as educational items and gifts for children including coloring books and crayons. They delivered these items to the Net- work, an organization that helps those affected by domestic vio- lence, for distribution. UICPD also collaborated with a community organization, Con- necting4Communities, to support a neighborhood school, John M. Smyth Elementary by providing all fourth-grade students with $25 gift cards. UICPD personnel also pro- vided $100 gift cards for two fami- lies most in need. "Our collaboration with Con- necting4Communities allowed us to positively impact more than 300 school families during a very
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Business Manager Advertising Manager Carmen P. Valentino Julie Becker Photographers Graphic Design Circulation Alexander Giraldo Kim Arias Shylo Keck Christopher Valentino Julie Becker Jacob Urbanowski Anthony Valentino
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Photos courtesy UIC
Among UIC Police duties is collecting and assessing local crime data.
UIC Police are key players in making Near West Side, University Village safer
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