Chicago Ald. Chris Taliaferro expressed his desire for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new plan to prioritize increasing the police department’s manpower in order to address the rising robbery rates in the city. Over the past 24 months, robberies have seen a significant surge of almost 30%.
According to Taliaferro, a former Chicago Police Department officer and current member of the city’s Public Safety Committee, the decrease of over 2,000 police officers poses a challenge in deterring crime. He emphasizes the importance of adequate police presence and expresses concern that the current approach is not prioritizing policing effectively. Taliaferro also raises the issue of police officers attrition and the need for responsible replacement.
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With summer approaching quickly, Johnson, along with Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and other city officials, recently outlined the department’s comprehensive plan to protect residents from crime. The strategy includes implementing “focus missions” to deter criminal activity and apprehend suspects, utilizing advanced technology such as license-plate readers and pod cameras, and fostering stronger community engagement.
The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is taking proactive measures to combat the surge in robberies, particularly in certain city neighborhoods where there has been a staggering 155% increase. These incidents often involve smash-and-grabs and coordinated efforts by criminal groups targeting victims in repeated attacks. To address this issue, CPD will be organizing “Vehicle Safety Days,” dedicated to providing software updates for Hyundai and Kia car owners. These updates are designed to enhance vehicle security and deter thefts.
Taliaferro acknowledges the positive aspects of the mayor’s plan but believes that addressing the underlying issue will require a focus on practical implementation.
“We need to go beyond and ensure that we have a sufficient number of officers patrolling the streets during the summer to discourage crime,” he emphasized. “It’s a comprehensive strategy where we should focus not only on policing but also on engaging with the public.”
During the event, Johnson took the opportunity to emphasize his commitment to addressing the underlying factors that contribute to crime. He aims to achieve this by creating more opportunities and investing in underserved communities.
Taliaferro emphasized the urgency of finding immediate solutions in light of the crisis situation the city is currently experiencing.
According to an expert, the approach of focusing on the root causes of crime has been in place for several decades but has not yielded successful results. He believes that this approach is unproven and unlikely to lead to significant reductions in crime within a short timeframe of less than four years.
