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).