Hundreds of families came to the 15th Chicago Police District station parking lot, 5555 W. Grand Ave., on Oct. 28 to get some candy, dance to House music and look at old-school cars.
The event was organized by the Chicago Neighborhood Policing Initiative, a collaboration between the New York University School of Law’s Policing Project and the Chicago Police Department that takes a community-centric approach to improving community and police relations. While the initiative currently works in several police districts throughout Chicago, it launched in the 25th District, which includes Galewood and other parts of Austin north of Division Street.
Igor Studenkov/Staff Credit: Igor Studenkov/Staff Reporter 
Igor Studenkov/Staff Credit: Igor Studenkov/Staff Reporter 
Igor Studenkov/Staff Credit: Igor Studenkov/Staff Reporter 
Members of the VM Vocho Chicago club parade around the 25th District parking lot | Igor Studenkov/Staff Credit: Igor Studenkov/Staff Reporter 
VM Vocho Club Chicago members parade around in Star Wars costumes | Igor Studenkov/Staff 
Rincon Family Services job coach Robert Torres (left) and outreach coordinator Milargos Burgos represent their organization during the 25th District trunk or treat | Igor Studenkov/Staff 
Igor Studenkov/Staff 
Igor Studenkov/Staff 
Timmy Fitzgerald volunteered at the event with his father Tim Fitzgerald, a firefighter in South Chicago, by helping other youths rig rods-and-reels, cast, bait hooks and untangle lines. | AustinTalks 
Iconic house DJ Julain “Jumpin” Perez entertains kids during the 25th District Trunk or Treat | Igor Studenkov/Staff
Kids walked around the parking lot, getting candy from booths set up by area elected officials and community organizations, as well as from the trunks of vintage cars, many of which were provided by the members of the Just Cruising Oldies car club and VM.VOCHO Club Chicago.
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DJ Ronin and Chicago Housing music icon Julian “Jumpin” Perez played the music at the makeshift dance area in front of the station entrance.
District Coordinating Officer Anna Glutova, who is one of the officers responsible for coordinating responses to the emergencies with other city agencies and connecting residents to any services they might need, said she was pleased with how the events turned out.
“You got kids, you got cars, you got candy, you got music – what more could you want?” she said.
