Chicago Police Get Federal Assistance In Fighting Violent Crime
By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 1, 2012 6:00PM
Mayor Rahm Emanuel went into positive spin mode Friday after announcing that federal authorities would assist in the Chicago Police Department's violence reduction initiative to fight violent crime in areas of the city most in need of it.
The Police Department will coordinate its efforts with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Marshals Service as law enforcement officials collaborate to prevent and combat violent and drug-related crimes with additional federal resources.
Emanuel said in a statement.
“After showing improvements in two districts that historically suffer from a high crime rate, we are expanding our work with Federal agencies to aggressively grow this initiative,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These agencies have been incredible partners, and this decision shows their continued commitment to help expand successful crime reduction strategies here. These new efforts will help us make a larger impact in our work to keep gangs, guns and drugs off the streets.” “In close collaboration with Superintendent McCarthy, and the dedicated men and women of the Chicago Police Department, these additional federal resources will help to build capacity, bolster intelligence analysis capabilities, and spearhead criminal investigations and prosecutions,” said Attorney General Holder. “The Department continues to stand with its partners in local law enforcement, and these additional resources will help the City of Chicago in its efforts to combat violent crime and improve the quality of life of its residents.”
Emanuel touted the efforts as Chicago has seen a 31 percent increase in the city's murder rate this year, a stat that has made national headlines. Between Aug. 23 and Aug. 31, at least 82 people were killed or wounded by gun violence; 10 of them on Aug. 30.