Just before the long Memorial Day weekend began, Chicago’s new mayor was joined by Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and other community leaders as she detailed her plan for ensuring safety and preventing a surge in summer violence.
Lightfoot joined the Chicago Police Department and other agencies Friday to highlight the role authorities have in keeping the city safe.
“As my mother would say, if people are ‘acting a fool,’ there will be consequences,” Lightfoot said.
The plan includes an additional 1,200 officers on patrol and a special mass transit detail for trains and bus lines. Officers will also patrol high-traffic areas like beaches and popular downtown spots like Michigan Avenue as part of the city’s Summer Mobile Team.
“We are serious every day of the year in going after people. It’s heightened here because it’s a holiday weekend,” Johnson said. “But this is the work that we do every single day.”
In addition to increased patrols at potential hot spots, dozens of programs are being offered in numerous Chicago neighborhoods to help keep kids safe over the summer.
One such group, called “Fathers Who Care,” is run by Reverend Walter Jones.
“Seeing all these department heads working together is only encouraging, and I’m looking forward to working with the new mayor and all the other partners,” he said.
While police and community leaders are pulling out all the stops to ensure a safe and happy holiday for those living in the city, Jones said that it’s up to residents to ultimately make a difference in the safety fight.
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“I think we have a good strategy, but it will not be good without support of people in the community,” he said. “It’s those people who are the eyes and ears of law enforcement.”
