Police chief reports swatting responses, theft and juvenile burglaries; directed patrols continue

Chief Richard McCabe briefed the council on public-safety activity for May, saying the department responded to multiple swatting incidents that prompted large emergency responses at an Amazon facility and worked joint investigations into theft and burglaries.

He described a theft inquiry that identified alleged losses of more than $20,000 and a robbery that occurred around 9 p.m. in which a suspect entered a store, displayed what appeared to be a weapon, and fled toward Washington Park. Patrol and the Criminal Investigations Unit also investigated a burglary involving six juveniles; the department said it identified all six and is evaluating prosecutorial eligibility.

The chief said officers have increased directed patrols in problem neighborhoods and that the enforcement has revealed a rise in stop-sign and parking violations. He said the department will issue public-safety messaging (including still frames and guidance) about safe behavior during traffic stops and will deploy traffic-control officers early during separation-day events.