Below is a summary of what was discussed at today’s BOMA/Chicago Preparedness Committee Meeting on December 17, 2019. The meeting was hosted by Transwestern at 500 West Madison. The monthly meeting was the final of the year and included a wide range of attendees including members of the Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Police Department – Crime Prevention Information Center, Department of Homeland Security and other government agencies.

Chicago Police Department 1st District Update

• Pre-drill notifications to law enforcement continue to be very good and are requested to continue
• Cellphone thefts and pickpocketing continues to be a seasonal issue in the District, particularly around public transit areas

Chicago Police Department 18th District Update

• Based on recent crime statistics, parking garages are a particular target in commercial spaces for theft

Chicago Police Department, Crime Prevention Information Center Unit (CPIC)

• The holiday threat assessment is completed
• Many special events are coming up in Chicago

Chicago Fire Department Update

• The 1st District Chief position (Loop area) is currently open. Chief Roy has been promoted to head the Fire Prevention unit
• The Fire Safety Director (FSD) class attendance for the year has been exceptionally high
  • A New ID card will be available to participants going forward

Department of Homeland Security

• The agency is monitoring possible threats to religious institutions
• Also, a reminder that the 2020 Democratic National Convention will be in Milwaukee, with several accompanying events in Chicago

Other things to note:

• Preparedness Committee assembling meeting locations for 2020 and is seeking available spaces on the third Tuesday of every month
• An April BOMA meeting and education session is planned for the topic of marijuana legalization in Illinois
• There was a unanimous committee vote on a resolution to rename the annual emergency preparedness tabletop exercise in November in memory of Carlos Villarreal
  • The 2019 tabletop exercise focusing on scenarios related to mental health was reviewed 
  • Titan Security Group will develop and present the 2020 emergency preparedness tabletop exercise 

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

The Titan Security Group attended today’s Chicago Public/Private Task Force Meeting on December 12, 2019.  Below is a recap of what was discussed during the meeting.

• Chicago Police, 1st District
  • The holiday season has seen a predictable increase in attempted retail theft and pickpocketing
• Cook County
  • The County agency has changed its name to Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS)
• CPIC Fusion Center
  • The Center is monitoring holiday special events with no specific threats identified
• Office of Emergency Management and Communications
  • The Lake Michigan water levels are an ongoing concern
  • Upcoming events include fireworks displays on New Year’s Eve, and the NBA All-Star game in February
• CPPTF
  • The “exercise in a box” project is nearing completion, making multiple scenarios available to member organizations 
  • Additionally, Chicago will host the National Homeland Security Conference in June of 2020

Multiple special events approaching, including:

• Christkindlmarket: Now until December 28th at Daley Plaza
• New Year’s Eve Fireworks: December 31 at Navy Pier
• Chicago’s Very Own New Year’s Eve Blast: December 31st – January 1st at Chicago River

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).