CAPS Not Dismantling in 19th District, Police Say

Commander Elias Voulgaris and Executive Officer Capt. Mike Ryan, the two top police officers in Chicago’s 19th District, say the community policing CAPS program is not being dismantled, at least on their watch.

The two attended the West Lake View Neighbors meeting Tuesday evening where they updated residents with their new initiatives to fight area burglaries and robberies, as well as answer questions. After being asked what is happening to the CAPS program, Ryan took the lead to say – nothing is happening.

“Our CAPS program here in the 19th District is still up and running the way it always was,” Ryan said, as Voulgaris nodded vigorously in agreement. “Our meetings are still scheduled. In the media, it’s been getting a lot of bashing, but we do use it, and will continue to use it. As a police department, we love it because it gets people in contact with the police department.”

"CAPS will keep going until we get some sort of doctrine telling us we have to stop.”

This comes after an article in the Chicago Reader claimed the CAPS program was dismantled by Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, and it would be replaced with some unknown new program. The article said the $4.6 million budget for the program was pulled, and the officers would be given “something else to do.”

The Reader’s report also sparked a flurry of comments on the community forum EveryBlock citing the article and angering residents on the North Side. Lake View residents left 50 messages about the alleged dismantling of CAPS.

“This is disturbing to say the least,” wrote Nora Handler.

“I'm just in shock :( I can't believe no one is screaming about this,” added Max Kohn.

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However, according to Ryan, he and Voulgaris were trained using the CAPS program and have a personal connection with the way it works and its effectiveness. Ryan assured residents at the WLVN meeting that as long as he and Voulgaris are leading the 19th District, CAPS is here to stay.

“It’s not going away, not as far as (Commander Voulgaris) and I are concerned,” Ryan said. “In 19, it’s still going on, and we’re still going to have our beat meetings. CAPS will keep going until we get some sort of doctrine telling us we have to stop.”