What Are Beat Meetings … And Why Are They Important?

Beat community meetings are regular meetings held on all 285 police beats in Chicago. Every beat is required to meet at least quarterly, although the vast majority of beats meet every month or every other month. (Beat meeting schedules are published on the this website under EVENTS, or are available by calling the City of Chicago Information Hotline at 3-1-1.)

The primary purpose of the beat community meeting is to allow beat residents, other community stakeholders and police to discuss chronic problems on the beat and to engage in problem solving using the CAPS five-step problem-solving process. Beat community meetings provide an opportunity for police and community residents to exchange information about conditions in the neighborhood, to identify crime and disorder problems, and to develop strategies to combat those problems. The meeting also provides an opportunity for police and community to get to know one another.

Who Conducts Beat Meetings?

Beat community meetings are hosted by the Chicago Police Department and are usually conducted in one of three ways:

1. By a team consisting of a resident beat facilitator (a designated community leader) and a beat officer.
2. By one or more beat facilitators.
3. By one or more beat officers.

Option 1 is usually considered ideal.

Beat meetings and problem solving are most effective when they include a broad range of community stakeholders: residents, business owners, and representatives from local schools, churches and neighborhood organizations. In addition, beat officers representing all three watches, plus a sergeant, are expected to attend beat community meetings. Neighborhood Relations personnel, tactical and gang tactical officers, detectives, and other Police Department members may attend beat community meetings, as appropriate.

Where Can I find My Beat Meeting?             

5th District Meeting Calendar
*5th District Community Website*
727 East 111th St
Chicago, IL 60628
Email: CAPS005District@chicagopolice.org
Phone: 312-747-8210
Fax: 312-747-5935
TTY: 312-747-9170
Twitter: ChicagoCAPS05

6th District Meeting Calendar
*6th District Community Website*
7808 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60620
Email: CAPS006District@chicagopolice.org
Phone: 312-745-3610/CAPS 3641
Fax: 312-745-3649
TTY: 312-745-3639
Twitter: ChicagoCAPS06

22nd District Meeting Calendar
*22nd District Community Website*
1900 West Monterey Ave
Chicago, IL 60643
Email: CAPS022District@chicagopolice.org
Phone: 312-745-0570
Fax: 312-745-0814
TTY: 312-745-0569
Twitter: ChicagoCAPS22