A former Chicago Public Schools business education teacher was recently tapped by Mayor Richard M. Daley to run the city’s Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy program.
A former Chicago Public Schools business education teacher was recently tapped by Mayor Richard M. Daley to run the city’s Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy program. Phillip Hampton, who is currently the director of the city’s 311 Center, previously served as the assistant CAPS director. He said returning back to CAPS is a great opportunity because it allows him to continue using his people skills. “Communications has always been one of my strong points, and having the opportunity (again) to work directly with community groups and residents is fulfilling for me,” Hampton told the Defender. The CAPS program is a partnership between community residents and the Chicago police to solve problems at the neighborhood level. Mayor Daley said he has set specific goals for Hampton at CAPS. “I have asked him to re-dedicate the organization to getting people to the beat meetings and getting them involved in parent patrols and the Local School Councils,” Daley said. “I have told Phil that I consider the CAPS program to be the key element in empowering residents to take back their neighborhoods from the gangbangers and to work with the police department to address neighborhood issues.” Daley added that what makes CAPS so innovative is that it brings the police, the community and other city agencies together to identify and solve neighborhood crime problems. In addition to working as a teacher, Hampton–a South Side native–also served as the director of Community Relations for CPS. ______ Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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