Former Burglars Will Help Residents Keep Control This Week

The city's "Keeping it Real" seminar will bring former burglars to the forefront this week to fight local crime. 

Thursday's 1432 and 1433 CAPS meeting will feature the program, which is part of the SAFER foundation. The foundation is dedicated to promoting successful reentry and reducing recidivism through employment, education and support services in Illinois. 

Marcus Williams el is among those who have graduated from the program.

Convicted of three residential burglaries, he served time and now shares the tricks of his former trade with homeowners, according to an ABC 7 News report. 

"What I'm looking for is an easy point of entry," he told reporters while showing them ways to ensure safety in a home. " ... This was at one point my 9 (a.m.) to 3 (p.m.) because that's when most burglaries occur."

A total of 113 burglaries have been reported this year in Bucktown and Wicker Park, according to city of Chicago data. There were 140 at this time last year.

The seminar is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 20 at St. Mary of the Angels, 1850 N. Hermitage in Bucktown.

"It is an excellent way for people to educate themselves about how offenders seek out what houses to burglarize," 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack said, in a recent newsletter.

For more information, contact the Chicago Police Department's 14th District Community Office at 312-744-1261.

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