Page 42 - December 2020

2020: The good news A look back at achievements and accolades that showed how
Chicago Police Officers rose above and beyond the year’s historic challenges
12th District officers follow a pizza delivery route for the homeless
Amid a busy holiday season, officers from the 12th District took time out of their day on Dec. 13, 2019, to help deliver warm pizzas to homeless individuals in Chicago.
The effort to provide sustenance to those who have nothing during the holiday season was a combined effort of Heavenly Or- phans Project and Chicago Police Officers. Together, they were able to distribute 100 pizzas during the challenging — and freez- ing — time of the year.
“Homelessness is not a crime, so we try to help out as much as we can,” said 12th District Sergeant
Mark Czapla, who helped load up the
patrol car with dozens of boxes of warm
pizza to distribute to hungry people on the streets. “They’re not like other people who are able to go out and pur- chase a meal from McDonald’s or Pizza Hut. They appreciate the kind gesture during their time of need.”
Officers launch another slam dunk season with the Westside Police and Youth Sports Conference
When the 15th District introduced the Westside Police and Youth Sports Conference in the summer of 2019, 11th District Of- ficer Theresa McBeth knew it was something that could enrich her and her 13-year-old son.
Starting in December 2019, McBeth officially joined the league as one of the leaders of the 11th District basketball teams, along- side 11th District Officers Latanya Capers and Karita Tutwiler.
On Dec. 19, Chicago youth, families, officers, business owners and other members of the community gathered at Melody School in West Garfield Park for the open-
ing day of the Westside Police/
Youth Basketball League.
The league provides an essential opportunity for officers to work with the community while creat- ing positive relationships between youth and law enforcement.
10th District honors its hometown heroes
On Jan. 15, officers in the 10th District honored three civilians who each played a pivotal role in saving the life of a 7-year-old girl and bringing justice to the suspect who shot at her on Oct. 31, 2019.
Young Giselle Zamago was trick-or-treating in a Minnie Mouse costume when she was shot at by a gang member. While the 10th District officers who tracked down the suspect and supported Zamago through her recovery were recognized, mobile-store em- ployees Yulissa Ruiz and Citlalli Lara Garcia were not.
Ruiz and Garcia acted heroically, calling 911 and applying pres- sure to the gunshot wound until first responders arrived.
“We presented the two girls with plaques thanking them for their bravery and compassion,” Lara shared. “Because of them, the little girl is alive. We wanted to let them know that officers and the community recognize them as heroes.”
Store owner Mike Moreno was also recognized at the ceremony for providing his storefront sur- veillance, which was crucial to convicting the gunman.
Working with seniors in the 2nd District
Officers Denise Gathings and Colleen Carcione in the 2nd Dis- trict have always viewed working with seniors as an essential com- ponent to policing. When they came on board with the group Se- niors N’2, they immediately got to work on activity planning.
On Jan. 21, they mapped out a production in honor of Black History Month, in which seniors depicted scenes that featured influential figures like Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. The Feb. 25 show engaged members of the group by encouraging them to either perform or take on backstage duties.
“We wanted to get them involved, up and moving,” Gathings said.
4th District officers welcome young hero to the department
When he arrived at school on Feb. 14, Jorgie Ortiz was awestruck to discover his class hallway filled with some of his greatest heroes.
The 10-year-old became even more overwhelmed when he re- alized that everyone — the uni- formed police officers, firefight- ers, his teachers and classmates
— had gathered at Thorp Elemen- tary School on his behalf.
Ortiz is a young warrior diag- nosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive genetic disorder that leads to the deterioration of muscle fibers. He will likely be confined to a wheel- chair within the next few years.
“As of today, you are a mem- ber of the department,” 4th Dis- trict Captain Terry McMahon announced to the boy, who has al- ways wanted to be a police officer. “A lot of this is overwhelming, but it’s for a special boy like you, and we’re glad to be here to celebrate with you.”
42 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2020