A Community Safety Liaison Attacked and Robbed in Gompers Park
On the afternoon of May 12, a community safety liaison patrolling Gompers Park on the Northwest Side was brutally attacked and robbed by a group of individuals, according to prosecutors.
The victim, who was recording people in the park at 4222 West Foster in his capacity as a safety liaison, was confronted by Adolfo Agreda, 41, who had been drinking all day and took offense to being filmed.
Agreda confessed to being part of a group that physically assaulted the 50-year-old safety advocate, beating him with their fists and legs until he fell to the ground. As the victim lay defenseless, the group attempted to steal his phone, with Agreda snatching a silver-plated necklace from around the victim’s neck.
When police arrived at the scene, they found the victim severely injured, bleeding from his mouth, nose, and arms. He identified Agreda, who was sitting on a lawn chair near the basketball court, as one of his attackers.
While the victim’s companion corroborated Agreda’s involvement in the assault, they were unable to confirm if Agreda was the one who took the necklace as the victim was on the ground during that moment.
As a result of the incident, Judge John Hock ordered Agreda to be detained on charges of robbery and misdemeanor battery.
This harrowing event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by community safety advocates who selflessly work to protect and serve their neighborhoods.
