Dozens of people were arrested Monday night amid Fourth of July weekend raids by Chicago Police.
Supt. Eddie Johnson said a total of 58 people were "taken off the streets" of the city’s South and West Sides for crimes mainly involving narcotics trafficking.
Authorities said 1,200 grams of cannabis were recovered along with more than 500 grams of heroin and crack cocaine. Seven guns were also found.
Thirty-eight of those arrested were convicted felons and 10 had previously been arrested on gun charges, police said.
“CPD is using every tool we have and working with our partners in law enforcement to adjust the violence we’ve historically seen over the holiday weekend,” Johnson said during a press conference announcing the results of the raids. “While any level of violence remains unacceptable, CPD officers are working on the streets in force to keep residents and visitors safe in every neighborhood.”
Johnson said the raids send “a message to those who serve as a catalyst to the violence that we will come after you before you can inflect more harm in our communities.”
CPD’s Chief of Organized Crime Anthony Riccio said Monday’s raids were only part one of the holiday raids. More raids were expected throughout the Fourth of July with “significant” more arrests expected.
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“We’re determined to let the fourth be a safe holiday for families in these communities,” Riccio said.
