Office of the City Clerk - Record #: R2015-91

• Record #: R2015-91
• Type: Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• Intro date: 1/21/2015
• Final action: 1/21/2015
• Title: Gratitude extended to Police Commander Jose Ramirez, Captain Thomas Karnick, Lieutenant William Mullane and officers of 17th District for professionalism
• Sponsors: Laurino, Margaret

Date	Journal Page Number	Action By	Action	Result
1/21/2015	102565	City Council	Adopted	Pass
1/21/2015		City Council	Introduced (Agreed Calendar)

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on September 10, 2014, a person claimed title to a foreclosed single family home in the 4200 block of West Rosemont Avenue, without judicial order or any other apparent legal right to do so; and

WHEREAS, the property had recently been the subject of a judicial sale, and was being marketed by a licensed real estate broker under direction of the true owner; and

WHEREAS, in October the false claimant removed a "For Sale" sign from the property, apparently removed the real estate broker's key box, opened the house without permission and, again without legal right, purported to lease the home to third parties; and

WHEREAS, in the course of the illegal occupancy, "No Trespassing" signs were posted on the property, and the signs included threats of violence; and

WHEREAS, the tenants of the property turned out to be brothers, both minors, who also claimed rights as tenants by adverse possession; and

WHEREAS, neighbors in the Sauganash Park community were understandably upset and angry over the illegal occupancy of the home, and were understandably nervous about threats of violence posted publicly in their neighborhood; and

WHEREAS, Chicago police officers of the 17^th District, under the direction of Commander Jose Ramirez, Star No. 711, Captain Thomas Karnick, Star No. 74, and Lieutenant William Mullane, Star No. 415 worked diligently to gather information necessary to clarify matters and to build a case against the illegal conduct, and

WHEREAS, 17^th District tactical unit, Sgt. Rubino, Sgt. Oznoff, Officer Towey, Officer Becker, Officer Hamiedeh, Officer Tucker, Officer Gonzalez, Officer Lawryn, Officer Paniaugua, Officer Huamauve, under the command of Lieutenant William Mullane, Star No. 415, arrested and removed the trespassers without injury to anyone; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has been advised of these events by Alderman Margaret Laurino ofthe 39^th Ward; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the 17^th District personnel restored order and defused tensions in the area; and

WHEREAS, the vigilance of neighbors in reporting the events, and their willingness to receive and share factual information as it was developed, is to be commended; and

WHEREAS, the actions of the officers of the 17^th District, and the leadership of Commander Ramirez, Captain Karnick, and Lieutenant Mullane, embody the slogan of the Police Department, "We Serve and Protect"; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 21^st day of January, 2015, do hereby express our profound gratitude to Commander Jose Ramirez, Star No. 711, and Captain Thomas Karnick, Star No. 74, Lieutenant William Mullane, Star No. 415, and the police officers of the 17^th District for their professionalism and persistence in controlling and resolving a difficult and potentially dangerous situation; and

Margaret Laurino Alderman, 39^th Ward

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that suitable copies of this Resolution be presented to Commander Ramirez, Captain Karnick, Lieutenant Mullane, and the tactical officers who effected the arrests of the trespassers, and placed on permanent record in their personnel files, as a token of our esteem and appreciation.