There are 22 total police district councils (or PDCs) in Chicago, each led by three publicly elected members. PDCs meet every month to improve “police oversight, accountability and public safety” by bringing officers and residents together, a city website says.

The Chicago City Council voted to create the PDCS in July 2021 and the first PDC election took place in Feb. 2023. Their formation marks years/decades of work from grassroots orgs like the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, The Tribe reported.

If you live in Lincoln Park, West Town, Logan Square or the Near North Side, you’re probably in the 18th Police District. It’s bordered by Fullerton Ave to the north, and the river to the west and south. Its reps are Brad Kessler, Karen Kane and Robert Johnson.

Today's agenda states there’ll be a discussion from CPD Commander Michael Neckermann, alongside “District Safety Updates." It started at 6 p.m. on March 25 in the St. James Lutheran Church on Fremont. There’s about 35 people in attendance, including a few uniformed officers.

No takers for the public comment section. Now PDC member Karen Kane is discussing the city's Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, namely the CCPSA's upcoming search for a new chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA).

The chief of COPA - the organization tasked with investigating all officer involved shootings - resigned on Feb. 13 amid allegations of bias before the CCPSA could complete its own internal investigation, Kane said. The CCPSA must now find a new chief for city council to approve.

On a different note, the CCPSA is also developing a new policy for CPD traffic stops and is asking for public input on whether there should be more restrictions or less for officers to be able to conduct a traffic stop.

PDC member Bob Johnson, a former police officer, spoke out that he hopes the CCPSA does not move to put additional restrictions on CPD officers. PDC member Brad Kessler then discussed how COPA is developing its policy on how CPD interacts with the media amid open investigations.

Now CPD officer Michael Neckermann, who has 27 years of experience on the force, is addressing the audience as he was just recently appointed the commander of the 18th police district.

“I like to think that I am a part of this community,” Neckermann said, detailing how his dentist is in the 18th district, he shops at the Trader Joes on Clybourn, attends a local gym, has friends who teach at Latin and his mother goes to the Shakespeare Theater.

Kane asked Neckermann what some of his public safety priorities are for the 18th district. His answer: preventing burglaries, thefts and robberies. That’s because the 18th is “where the money’s at” with wealthy individuals and many high-end shops.

Kane then referenced a public survey that showed people want a more visible police presence in the 18th. Neckermann said he’d like more foot patrols, though those officers can’t respond to calls for service as quickly as officers in cars.

That said, Neckermann said he thinks it's important that officers get out of their cars and interact with the community when responding to calls. Furthermore, he said the CPD needs to do a better job retaining officers in the 18th rather than it being a "stepping stone."

Moving on to the public Q&A section, a local named Dave asked ifNeckermann will continue the previous commander’s commitment to have a patrol presence around Wells and Division. Neckermann agreed he'll have a police presence there, describing Clark and Division as an “epicenter.”

Another local named Bill expressed concern about the CPD’s policy in curtailing fentanyl-related deaths. Kessler indicated that may be a bigger conversation for another day.

A Streeterville resident named Lucas said he’s concerned about problematic “teen trends” in the upcoming summer months - specifically teens congregating around the AMC. Neckermann said CPD is “moving some resources” to that area to enforce curfews and monitor social media.

Three more speakers: One expressing general support for traffic stops, another asking about a carcrash that Neckermann said he can discuss after the meeting, the last reiterating concern that officers are just sitting in their cars on their phones in the 18th district.

Regarding officers in their cars/on their phones, Neckermann said "I agree it's an issue" and suggested he could switch up more patrols with bike officers in the 18th as it's more difficult to use your phone on a bicycle.

With the Q&A over, Kessler led a round of applause for Neckermann. All in all, today’s 18th PDC meeting primarily served to introduce the new commander to the public as he now replaces Michael Barz, the previous 18th District Commander.

The public can speak with Neckermann more during an upcoming “Coffee with the Commander” session on Thursday, March 27. Those interested in participating in an online survey about the previously mentioned CCPSA’s traffic stop policy deliberations can try this QR code.

The next 18th PDC meeting — which is set for Tuesday, April 22 — does not yet have a determined location but will feature Kevin Ryan, the Vice President of Security for the Chicago Transit Authority, as a guest speaker.

With all that said, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Commander Neckermann is pictured here (third from the right), immediately followed by 18th PDC members Johnson, Kane and Kessler. For more coverage of Chicago public meetings, check out . documenters.org