COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS WEEK OF 7.22.24
COPA had a great time engaging the residents of Chicago in the community during the week of 7.22.24. Our office is committed to helping residents understand how to file a complaint or compliment an officer and explain to the public our role in police oversight. Below is a brief description of our most recent community engagement efforts. If you are interested in COPA speaking to your community group or organization, please submit a request via email to COPA-PublicAffairs@chicagocopa.org
2025 Mayor’s Budget Engagement Round Table at Malcolm X College– July 22, 2024
The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management organized a series of Budget Engagement Forums across the City to listen to residents about their priorities and ideas for Chicago’s 2025 budget. On Monday, July 22nd COPA’s Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten was joined by Mayor Brandon Johnson to facilitate dialogue with Chicagoans and let them share an idea on any topic relating to the City’s 2025 budget. In addition, COPA General Counsel Robin Murphy was also participating in dialogue over the 2025 budget.
Chicago Public School (CPS) Back-to-School Bash at Harrison Park – July 23, 2024
COPA had a great time at the CPS Back-to-School Bash in Harrison Park. These events are hosted by CPS throughout the city to prepare students and families for the upcoming school year. The bash included school supply giveaways, activities children, several community organizations that were connecting people to resources, and light refreshments. COPA set up a table to provide information about our role in police accountability and how to file complaints and compliments towards CPD.
Puerto Rican Cultural Center Reimagine Convener Meeting – July 24, 2024
COPA joined the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) for their Reimagine Convener Meeting in Humboldt Park. The PRCC gathers service providers and community partners from the northwest side to share resources, plan activities, and work collectively to end violence while proactively supporting young people. COPA was able to share our role in police oversight and inform on filing complaints and compliments towards CPD.
COPA All Staff Meeting – July 24, 2024
COPA held an all staff meeting at the Ukrainian Institute of Moder Art in West Town. The meeting provided agencywide updates from our quarterly report, updated on our equity initiatives, highlights from our COPA People’s Academy, and included remarks from Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten and First Deputy Chief Administrator Ephraim Eaddy.
Mobile City Hall at Austin Town Hall Park – July 24, 2024
COPA joined the City Clerk’s Office along with various other city departments and sister agencies to connect with the community. At this mobile outreach event held in the Austin community, COPA had a resource table and shared with the public the agency’s role in police accountability.
Northwest Community Alliance Meeting – July 25, 2024
COPA had a great time attending the Northwest Community Alliance Monthly Meeting hosted by Family Focus. At this month’s meeting COPA was able to facilitate a presentation from United Way’s 211 Metro Chicago referral line. Our agency was able to meet with various not-for-profit organizations to discuss community resources that can be offered to Latino communities on the Northwest side of Chicago. During the meeting COPA also shared with meeting attendees the role that we play in police oversight.
Chicago Public School (CPS) Back-to-School Bash at Winnemac Park – July 25, 2024
COPA had a great time at the CPS Back-to-School Bash in Winnemac Park. These events are hosted by CPS throughout the city to prepare students and families for the upcoming school year. The bash included school supply giveaways, activities children, several community organizations that were connecting people to resources, and light refreshments. COPA set up a table to provide information about our role in police accountability and how to file complaints and compliments towards CPD.
Belmont Cragin Youth Jam – July 25, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Northwest Center (NWC) Belmont Cragin Youth Jam at Riis Park. NWC brought together several community organizations to connect families & young people to resources, had various children’s activities, taco meals, and raffle giveaways. COPA gave our information on how to file compliments or complaints towards CPD.
2025 Mayor’s Budget Engagement Round Table at Harry S. Truman College – July 25, 2024
The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management organized a series of Budget Engagement Forums across the City to listen to residents about their priorities and ideas for Chicago’s 2025 budget. COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator Ephraim Eaddy and Chief of Staff Jay Westensee participated in dialogue with Chicagoans relating to the City’s 2025 budget.
Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA) Monthly Meeting – July 25, 2024
COPA attended the monthly meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA). CCPSA holds a monthly community meeting to discuss updates to its agency and address concerns the public may have as it relates to affairs with CPD, Police Board and COPA.
COPA Service Committee Clean & Green at BUILD Chicago – July 26, 2024
COPA’s Service Committee partnered with BUILD Chicago in the Austin community to hold a Clean & Green event at Booney’s Garden, one of the several community gardens that BUILD manages. COPA worked alongside their youth participants from their Austin Grown Program through One Summer Chicago & After School Matters.
Take Back the Block – Mayor’s Office – July 26, 2024
COPA’s participated with Mayor Brandon Johnson and several other City of Chicago departments & agencies in his Take Back the Block event in the Greater Grand Crossing community. The event included several speakers that were faith leaders and Alderman William Hall that gave a call to action to end violence in the community. The city departments & agencies onsite supported resident requests and connected them to services. COPA was giving out information about our role in police accountability and how to file compliments & complaints towards CPD.
Sweet Holy Spirit Church of God Health & Career Fair – July 27, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Sweet Holy Spirit Church of God Health & Career Fair at Jesse Owens Park. The fair included several community organizations handing out resources, health screenings, children’s activities, food, and access to several job opportunities. COPA was giving out information on our role in police accountability.
Mobile City Hall at Lindblom Park – July 27, 2024
COPA joined the City Clerk’s Office along with various other city departments and sister agencies to connect with the community. At this mobile outreach event held in the West Englewood community, COPA had a resource table and shared with the public the agency’s role in police accountability.
Equal Hope Family Beach Party – July 27, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Equal Hope Family Beach Party at Calumet Park Beach in the East Side community. The beach party included school supply giveaways, food, activities, community organizations with resources, and arts & crafts. COPA was able to set up a resource table and give out information on filing compliments and complaints towards CPD.
Lifescore Foundation Playstreets Block Party – July 27, 2024
COPA had a great time at Lifescore Foundation Playstreets Block Party sponsored by the Chicago Department of Public Health in the Grand Boulevard community. COPA was able to set up a resource table and give out information about our role in police accountability. The block party included school supply giveaways, food, and community organizations that were handing our resources.
2025 Mayor’s Budget Engagement Round Table at Kennedy King College – July 27, 2024
The Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management organized a series of Budget Engagement Forums across the City to listen to residents about their priorities and ideas for Chicago’s 2025 budget. COPA Deputy Chief Administrator Justin Escamilla and Deputy Chief Administrator Matthew Haynam participated in dialogue with Chicagoans relating to the City’s 2025 budget.
Our Lady of Mercy Pastoral Migratoria Know Your Rights Training – July 28, 2024
COPA had a great time at Our Lady of Mercy Pastoral Migratoria Know Your Rights Training organized by the 17th Police District Council in the Albany Park community. COPA presented in English & Spanish about our work in police accountability.
