Community organizers and faith leaders planned to propose a new initiative to help fight crime in Chicago on Tuesday.
Father Michael Pfleger, a longtime outspoken advocate against violence in Chicago, and organizer Ja'Mal Green were among those proposing a "solution starts with us" initiative.
The initiative will "call on community members... to join a campaign that will hold accountable the city, county, and state agencies, police department, churches, neighborhood stores, and the community at large," according to a statement.
The idea behind the plan is to give residents in the communities hardest hit by violence incentives to come forward with information. One major component, organizers say, is calling on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to create a citywide witness protection program.
Pfleger is also asking the city to create a reward program to aid in police investigations, offering $10,000 for information leading to arrets and a $5,000 incentive for turning over evidence.
The group was also expected to announced two town hall meetings to further discuss ways to make communities more accountable.
