COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS WEEK OF 8.12.24
COPA had a great time engaging the residents of Chicago in the community during the week of 8.12.24. 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
Leaders Network Community Meeting – August 13, 2024
COPA attended this meeting held in the Austin community that was comprised of faith and community leaders that work together to organize, strategize, and mobilize to improve the quality of life for the west side communities. The theme of this meeting was focused on fighting for economic empowerment and social justice. This meeting included updates from the Leaders Network fully function credit union, voter registration efforts through The Austin Experience, and several community organizations sharing resources.
Puerto Rican Cultural Center My Chi My Future August Convener – August 14, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center My Chi My Future August Convener. The PRCC gave an update of their summer youth programming, they also updated on creating a shared resource directory from members that attend the meeting. Community organizations were sharing valuable resources for young people to access many services. COPA was informing on our role in police accountability and oversight.
Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability (CCPSA) Monthly Meeting & Special Hearing on Establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention by Ordinance – August 14, 2024
COPA attended the monthly meeting & special hearing on establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention by ordinance 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. This meeting included a special hearing establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention by ordinance. This hearing included a panel of speakers including Norman Kerr CEO Trajectory Changing Solutions and former Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Director, Office of Violence Reduction, Rev Dr. Otis Moss III Senior Pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ, and Dan Hinkel journalist currently with Injustice Watch.
Back to School & Community Resource Fair – August 16, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Canna Equity IL Coalition & Village Project Collective Back to School & Community Resource Fair at the King Community Center. The fair included food, household supplies, children’s activities, school supply giveaways, and several community organizations that were giving our information on available resources. COPA was able to set up a resource table with information on how to file compliments & complaints towards CPD as well as our overall role in police oversight.
Chicago Collegiate High School Back to School Picnic – August 16, 2024
COPA had an amazing time at the Chicago Collegiate High School Back-to-School Picnic in the Pullman community. COPA was able to set up a resource table and give out information about our role in police accountability. The event included school supply giveaways, food, and community organizations that were handing our resources.
Northwestern Medicine Back to School Health & Resource Fair – August 17, 2024
COPA had a great time at the Northwestern Back to school Health & Resource Fair in the Humboldt Park community. The fair included health screenings, food, fresh produce, children’s activities, school supply giveaways, and several community organizations that were giving our information on available resources. COPA set up a resource table to give out information about our role in police oversight. The event was able to give out over 822 backpacks with school supplies to families.
Lifescore Foundation Playstreets Block Party – August 17, 2024
COPA had a great time at Lifescore Foundation Playstreets Block Party sponsored by the Chicago Department of Public Health in the Avalon Park 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.
SGA Youth & Family Services Back to School Festival – August 17, 2024
COPA participated in the SGA Youth & Family Services Back to School Festival in the Brighton Park Community. The fair included health screenings, food, raffles, children’s activities, school supply giveaways, and several community organizations that were giving our information on available resources. COPA was able to set up a resource table with information on how to file compliments & complaints towards CPD as well as our overall role in police oversight.
St. Luke’s COGIC Community & Back to School Summer Fun Fest – August 17, 2024
COPA had a great time at the St. Luke’s COGIC Community & Back to School Summer Fun Fest in the Near North Side community. The fair included community organizations connecting people to resource, food, children’s activities, school supply giveaways, and prizes. COPA was able to set up a resource table and give out information on filing compliments and complaints towards CPD.
