5 Essential Facts About Chicago Police District 20 (Lincoln District) For North Side Residents In 2025
The Chicago Police Department’s 20th District, officially known as the Lincoln District, remains a cornerstone of public safety for some of the city's most vibrant North Side communities. As of late 2025, the district continues to emphasize a progressive, community-focused approach to policing, balancing enforcement with proactive neighborhood engagement through its extensive CAPS program.
Serving a diverse and densely populated area, the 20th District is crucial to the quality of life for residents in neighborhoods like Andersonville, Edgewater, and Lincoln Square. This deep dive provides the most current information, leadership profiles, and strategic focus areas that define the district's operations in 2025.
Key Biography and District Profile: Commander Beth Giltmier and the Lincoln District
The 20th District is a vital hub for law enforcement activities across a significant portion of Chicago’s Far North Side. Its official headquarters is centrally located, serving as the primary point of contact for thousands of residents.
20th District (Lincoln District) Profile
- Official Name: Chicago Police Department 20th District – Lincoln
- Station Address: 5400 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
- Non-Emergency Contact: (312) 742-8714
- Area Coverage: The district is responsible for policing the neighborhoods of Andersonville, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Uptown, and West Ridge.
- CPD Area: The district falls under the larger Area 3 command structure, often operating in tandem with its northern neighbor, the 24th District, as part of CPD Zone 11 for radio communications and coordination.
Commander Beth Giltmier: Leadership Focus
- Current Commander: Beth Giltmier
- CPD Tenure: Commander Giltmier brings decades of experience, having served with the Chicago Police Department for over 30 years.
- Leadership Philosophy: Her command emphasizes a commitment to "professionalism, innovation, and a progressive approach to community relational policing." This philosophy is directly tied to the success of the district’s community outreach programs.
Current Crime Trends and Public Safety Focus Areas (2024–2025)
While the North Side neighborhoods within the 20th District are generally considered safer compared to the city-wide average, the district remains focused on addressing specific, persistent crime challenges. The 2025 crime landscape reflects broader city trends while highlighting localized issues.
City-wide, the first half of 2025 saw some positive shifts, with Chicago’s homicide rate reportedly 33% lower than the same period in 2024, a significant decline driven by various city and police initiatives under Mayor Brandon Johnson and Superintendent Larry Snelling.
However, the 20th District specifically concentrates on property crimes and certain violent incidents that affect its commercial corridors and residential streets.
Key Crime Entities and Hotspots
- Property Crime: The district’s focus remains sharp on reducing burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, which have been persistent concerns across the North Side. Specific commercial areas in Andersonville and Lincoln Square are prioritized for increased patrols.
- Road-Rage Incidents: Recent high-profile incidents, such as a suspected road-rage shooting near Foster Avenue and Ashland Avenue, underscore the need for targeted enforcement and public education on traffic-related conflict resolution.
- DUI Saturation Patrols: To proactively combat impaired driving, the 20th District regularly deploys DUI Saturation Patrols, particularly on weekends and near the nightlife areas of Uptown and Edgewater, a consistent strategy documented in recent district news.
The district utilizes the Chicago Police Department's CompStat (Computer Statistics) system to analyze crime data in real-time, allowing Commander Giltmier and her team to deploy resources strategically to specific beats and times based on current trends, rather than relying on outdated patrol patterns.
The Core of Community Policing: CAPS and Beat Meetings
The success of the 20th District heavily relies on its Community Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) program. CAPS is not merely an afterthought; it is the central mechanism for fostering trust and gathering intelligence from the community. It operates through a network of 12-15 "beats" (smaller geographic areas) that each hold regular public meetings.
What are CAPS Beat Meetings?
Beat meetings are regular forums where residents, police officers, and community leaders meet to discuss local crime problems, identify emerging trends, and collaborate on solutions. This direct, face-to-face interaction is considered the backbone of the Chicago Neighborhood Policing Initiative (NPI) within the district.
- Purpose: To allow beat residents to voice their concerns, set policing priorities for their specific micro-neighborhood, and work directly with the beat officers.
- Frequency: Each beat typically holds meetings on average six times per year, ensuring continuous dialogue.
- Recent Focus: The 20th District’s Community Policing Office prioritizes these meetings to encourage participation in programs like neighborhood watch groups, "positive loitering" (community presence in problem areas), and public safety education opportunities.
For instance, a specific CAPS Alternative Policing Meeting was scheduled for September 11, 2025, demonstrating the ongoing, year-round commitment to these community dialogues.
Strategic Initiatives and Community Partnerships in 2025
Beyond traditional policing and beat meetings, the 20th District has several strategic goals outlined in its District Strategic Plan, focusing on preventative measures and community engagement, especially with youth.
Bridging the Divide with Youth Programs
A key non-enforcement strategy is the commitment to engaging community members through schools and youth programs. The Community Policing Office actively works to bridge the divide between young residents and law enforcement, aiming to foster a sense of mutual respect and trust early on. This is a critical component of the broader Chicago Police Department's effort to recruit qualified candidates for the 2024 and 2025 academy classes.
The 311 Request Mandate
The 20th District Community Policing Office takes direct responsibility for ensuring that 311 requests—the city’s non-emergency service line—are completed, particularly for issues like public lighting. This focus on non-enforcement duties is vital for improving the overall quality of life and removing environmental factors that can contribute to crime.
How to Stay Connected to the Lincoln District
For residents of Andersonville, Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Uptown, and West Ridge, staying informed and engaged is the best way to support the district's mission.
- Attend Beat Meetings: The most impactful way to influence local policing is by attending the CAPS Beat meetings for your specific beat. Schedules are maintained on the Chicago Police Department’s official website and by local Aldermanic offices (such as the 48th Ward).
- Follow Official News: The CPD’s 20th District page provides a dedicated news section for alerts, advisories, and updates on saturation patrols and arrests.
- Utilize CLEARmap: For real-time, granular crime data, residents can utilize the CPD’s CLEARmap tool, which allows users to visualize and query crime data by district, beat, or street address, with the most current data typically available within seven days.
The Chicago Police District 20 is more than just a police station at 5400 N Lincoln Ave; it is a complex, community-driven operation led by Commander Beth Giltmier and dedicated to maintaining the safety and unique character of the North Side. By understanding its structure, engaging with its CAPS program, and staying informed on current crime trends, residents play an active and essential role in the district’s success in 2025.
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