Chicago police worried that prosecutors will drop all charges against vandals, rioters and those who attacked cops

Chicago police worried that prosecutors will drop all charges against vandals, rioters and those who attacked cops

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CHICAGO, IL –After the death of George Floyd in May, civil unrest and riots have caused chaos in mainly major metropolitan areas, including Chicago. 

Violence in the city has skyrocketed and Democratic leaders are struggling to come up with any real solution except for blaming President Trump. 

Recently, Chicago officers arrested over 100 people for looting and rioting and they are concerned that the charges will be dropped.  Now, the Police Superintendent is demanding those arrested be prosecuted. 

In the latest round of violence, Chicago Police Officers responded to reports claiming a man was armed with a gun.  As the officers were speaking with the man about his previous arrests he had, he took off on foot.  Officers immediately gave chase and the man began shooting at the officers pursuing him. 

Officers returned and the criminal was struck, dropped his gun and fell to the ground. 

The man, who was not identified, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  Three officers were also taken to the hospital for medical evaluation. 

Police believe this incident is what sparked the civil unrest and riots. 

Chicago Deputy Chief of Police Yolanda Talley said that people went to the streets when their “emotions” were “running high.” 

Several officers were injured during the course of the riots, one sustaining a shoulder injury and the other sprayed with a chemical agent.  Bricks were also thrown at a police vehicle which ended up breaking a window. 

Talley said:

“This is a direct response to one agitator on the scene getting people worked up without having the whole story.” 

Talley seems to be referring to a social media post in which claimed that officers had shot and killed a 15-year-old boy.  That post, watched almost 100,000 times caused a push for people to respond into the mostly commercial district to damage property and steal items from stores.

Police Superintendent David Brown said that the events that unfolded are nothing more than “violence against police.”  In all, 13 officers were injured during the chaos, thankfully, none of the injuries appear life threatening. 

The scene unfolded after hundreds of people were brought to the downtown commercial district around 11:45pm.  Thieves took to the stores and stole everything that was not tied down.  Stores were seen with empty shelves where electronics used to be and empty clothing racks. 

The Chicago Police Department was at least prepared for this event as they had also seen the calls on social media for the planned looting and destruction of property.  They dispatched roughly 400 officers into the area in order to deter crime and enforce the law. 

As a result, over 100 people were arrested.

Brown said in a statement:

“Criminals took to the street with confidence there would be no consequences.  We have to have consequences for the arrests Chicago police officers make.” 

Brown continued:

“Not many of those cases [past protests] were prosecuted to the full extent.  These looters, these thieves, these criminals being emboldened by (the last of) consequences…emboldened to do more.” 

These comments seem to be a direct reference to Democratic Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx and her dismissal of most of the chargers against protesters and rioters.  Foxx’s office refused to prosecute over 800 protesters who had, in their opinion, minor charges.

Foxx said:

 “Those 817 represent non-violent offenses, offenses that in some cases would be considered ordinance violations outside of the statute.  Also, they don’t involve crimes of violence or allegations involving a victim.” 

Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot, along with Brown, are urging Foxx’s office to prosecute those arrested in the latest crime spree.  Lightfoot said:

“People believe there is no accountability in our criminal justice system [and] we need the prosecutors and courts to step up.”

What Lightfoot is now realizing it that law and order in a civilized society is important. 

When arrests are made and the charges are dropped (for legal arrests), that tells the people involved that they are free to do as they wish without fear of repercussions. 

This, in and of itself, will cause more crime because they not alone will continue committing the crimes themselves, but their friends who saw them get away with it will also join in.    

Whether or not Foxx steps up and files the charges against the criminals this time or not remains to be seen.  However, at least for today, it seems even Lightfoot is beginning to wake up.

In case you missed what happened in the latest crime spree, here’s our breakdown from Monday morning:

CHICAGO, IL– Can anyone tell us what this has to do with George Floyd?

In Chicago overnight, widespread looting took place… with Twitter users posting videos of hundreds of people looting stores such as Nordstrom, Walgreens, Macy’s, Coach, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.

As of Monday morning, responding units in Chicago have arrested more than 100 people on charges ranging from disorderly conduct to battery against police.

The widespread looting and clashes with police were sparked by an officer-involved shooting that had taken place hours earlier.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said that 13 of his officers were hurt during the unrest, including a sergeant that was struck in the face with a bottle and an officer who had his nose broken while attempting to gain the compliance of a group of looters.

Brown said in a statement Monday morning:

“This was not an organized protest. Rather, this was an incident of pure criminality. This was an act of violence against our police officers and against our city.”

The looting and violence against officers took place across Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district.

Brown also said that a security guard and a civilian, both innocent victims, were transported to a nearby hospital and are in critical condition after being hit with gunfire during the overnight looting.

So far, five guns have been recovered from the looting incidents. Brown said that he has ordered detectives to comb over high definition footage of suspects and vehicles from the looting scenes. Brown added:

“I, for one, refuse to allow these cowardly acts to hold our city hostage. CPD will not stand by as our beautiful downtown becomes some place that people fear.”

He reiterated:

“I pledge to pursue these offenders to the fullest extent of the law. A heavy police presence will continue throughout the downtown area today and until further notice.”

The unrest that ripped through stores such as Nordstrom, Walgreens, Macy’s, Coach, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton began Sunday afternoon following an officer-involved shooting incident. Police responded to a report of a man with a gun in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.

When responding officers go to the area, the alleged suspect fled on foot.  While being pursued by police, the man turned and fired shots at the officers. This deadly force prompted the sound response of the officers, who returned fire. 

Deputy Chief Delonda Tally said in a statement:

“During the foot pursuit, the offender turned and fired shots at the officers. The officers then returned discharging their weapon.”

After the suspect was shot, an unruly crowd began to hurl things at officers as they held the line to protect the crime scene. Deputy Chief Tally said:

“We do have an officer that was maced by someone in the crowd. We do have an officer that sustained a shoulder injury from the incident with the crowd. One of our vehicles, the windows were shattered by a brick.”

Tally also said that the violent outburst from the crowd was a direct response from one agitator, a man who claims he witnessed the shooting and claimed the police confiscated his phone afterward. Police arrested two individuals from the unruly crowd.

According to police, the suspect has previously been arrested four times for charges including burglary, child endangerment, and domestic battery.

The three officers that were involved in the shooting were taken to a nearby hospital for observation. The suspect was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital. His current condition is unknown.

Following the unrest from the officer-involved shooting, looting and vandalism erupted in the Magnificent Mile and other parts of downtown Chicago. The looting started around midnight and by 3 a.m., officers were able to get the scene under control.

A rock was thrown at a police car and there was anti-cop graffiti in various locations. According to authorities, several arrests were made. Illinois State Police assisted CPD by blocking off expressway ramps going in and out of the loop area in order to prevent looters from fleeing the scene.

At the request of public safety officials, the Chicago Transit Authority shut down all train and bus service downtown in order to prevent looters from fleeing the scene. The bridges over the Chicago River were also lifted to prevent further entry into and exit from the downtown area.

In addition to the unrest, looting, and vandalism the weekend included three deaths and at least 35 people were shot. From January 1 through the end of July, 440 homicides took place in Chicago and 2,240 people were shot. Many of those individual were killed. 

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Here is another article from Law Enforcement Today about the non-stop chaos in Chicago:

CHICAGO, IL – As riots, protests, and anti-police rhetoric continues, Chicago is seeing an unprecedented amount of crime and shootings. 

The city has become like the wild west, with the most recent count of 25 shootings in one day. 

On July 20th, 25 people were shot, four of them being fatal, aging from 24 to 65 years old. The specifics on all 25 shootings differ slightly. However, the re-occurring trend is that all of the victims were standing outside, and many were fired upon by people driving by in vehicles. 

All of this was just in one day, not including the incredible number of shootings and deaths that took place on the weekend.

Over the weekend, Chicago saw 63 people shot, 12 fatally. 

This represents a 76% increase in crime from June 2019- June 2020.

Things have gotten so bad in Chicago that the Police Chief has now called on President Trump to intervene and clean up the Mayors mess.

Mayor Lightfoot is obviously against the idea of help from President Trump, but something needs to be done to stop the madness Chicago is currently facing. 

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Here is more information on the police chiefs plea for help that Law Enforcement today brought you. 

Chicago Fraternal Order of Police’s president John Catanzara has asked for help from President Trump to combat Chicago’s gun violence problem.

The months of May, June, and July 2020 were a filled with shooting sprees across Chicago.

FOP President Catanzara wrote:

“I would be willing to sit down anytime and discuss ideas about how we can bring civility back to the streets of Chicago. These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and the police department.

“Mayor Lightfoot has proved to be a complete failure who is either unwilling or unable to maintain law and order here.”

Catanzara also complained that he has been to City Hall to speak to Chicago’s leadership about the increasing gun violence.

Catanzara said:

“These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and police department. …. I have pushed back on their failing liberal policies. I really believe your help and cooperation could make a big difference and rally the silent majority to say enough is enough.”

He continued:

“These politicians are failing the good men and women of this city and police department. …. I have pushed back on their failing liberal policies. I really believe your help and cooperation could make a big difference and rally the silent majority to say enough is enough.” 

President Trump has criticized the leadership of Chicago as well. In June, Trump sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker demanding the to “urge action on the devastating violence in Chicago.”

This urgency stems from the recent months of gun violence in Chicago. It is only July and already the numbers compared to last year are way up.

President Trump wrote:

“Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect. I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement.”

Mayor Lightfoot responded to President Trump’s letter.

She wrote:

“If you really wanted to help the city, let’s start with the fact that you would weigh in, Mr. President, on common sense… gun reform. It makes no sense that people from Chicago can go across the border to Indiana and buy military grad weapons and bring them to our city and kill our children.”

Chicago has experienced many of its deadliest weekends since the summer holidays began, peaking at Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend.

Over Memorial Day weekend, over 80 citizens were shot and almost 24 killed. In June, in one weekend there over 104 citizens shot and 14 killed. On the Fourth of July weekend there were over 70 citizens shot and 16 killed.

Chicago Police Department released data mid-June 2020 in response to President Trump’s remarks on their murder clearance rate of 47% in 2019. Chicago PD stated their murder clearance rate in 2019 was 53%.

At the end of 2019, 419 citizens were killed in the span of a year, which is a 13% reduction from 567 murders in 2018. This marks a drop in murders for three years straight. 

Mayor Lightfoot commented on Memorial Day weekend’s violence, one of the most deadliest Memorial Day weekends in a long time.

At the time, Mayor Lightfoot said:

“The reality is there is no circumstance like the one that we are facing.”

She commented the city is lacking federal resources, jail admittance and court hearings during COVID-19 pandemic. This is also making community police very difficult, perhaps the most difficult in over 20 years.

President Trump signed an executive order on police reform in mid-June as well.

Before signing the executive order, he said:

“Every day, police officers make great sacrifices o keep our community secure and safe. In 2018, our police arrested nearly 12,000 citizens for murder, 25,000 citizens for rape and nearly 1.5 million for assault. Very dangerous criminals. In many cases, local law enforcement is underfunded, understaffed, and under-supported.”

The full letter from President Trump and the White House:

“Dear Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot:

“I write to you today to call your attention to and urge action on the devastating violence in Chicago.  While I have been heartened to see crime reductions nationally the last few years, I have been horrified by the continued violence in this great American city.

“I recently read an article from the Chicago Sun-Times on June 8, 2020, “18 murders in 24 hours: Inside the most violent day in 60 years in Chicago,” which discussed the severe crime and lack of law and order in our Nation’s third largest city.  The article details how “85 people were shot and 24 killed the previous weekend, the most in modern history in Chicago.”  Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect.  I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement.  The article recounts the following horrors:

“A hardworking father killed.

“A West Side high school student murdered.

“A college freshman who hoped to become a correctional officer, gunned down.

“18 people killed Sunday, May 31, the single most violent day in Chicago in six decades.

“The weekend of May 29, 25 people were killed and another 85 wounded by gunfire.

“The most violent weekend in Chicago’s modern history, stretching police resources that were already thin because of protests and looting.

“Violence and death, which are disproportionately harming young African Americans, are tragic and unacceptable, particularly on such a shocking scale. According to the Chicago Sun Times, “shootings across the City increased by 71 percent last month,” and just this past weekend 102 people were shot in the city’s most violent weekend of the year. 

A 3-year old toddler was killed.  

More Americans have been killed in Chicago than in combat zones of Afghanistan and Iraq combined since September 11, 2001, a deadly trend that has continued under your tenure.

“The American people (hardworking taxpayers) send you millions of dollars in Federal funding each year to support public safety in Chicago.  

In 2018 and 2019, the City of Chicago benefited from $136 million in funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program, and another $68 million was recently announced for Chicago from this important program.  

The Department of Justice awarded and is in the process of awarding nearly $20 million to support law enforcement and law-enforcement related entities in the City of Chicago and Cook County across 2019 and 2020, including resources for combating opioid abuse and recidivism reduction. 

The Department of Labor has also awarded funding to programs targeting prisoner re-entry and recidivism reduction in the Chicago area.  My Administration allocated $898.6 million to the City of Chicago and Cook County from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, which helps support your first responders on the front lines.  

In the absence of any modicum of leadership, however, these substantial sums of taxpayer money are not being turned into results, and the safety of your most vulnerable communities continues to deteriorate.  These funds are in addition to those collected through your combined insatiable appetite to tax the people of Illinois and Chicago.

“I will continue to lead the way to support historically disadvantaged communities and would welcome your help in these endeavors.  In December 2018, I signed into law the First Step Act, marking the first major reforms to our criminal justice system in over a decade.  

This brings historic reforms to make our justice system fairer and to help inmates successfully transition back into society by providing prisoners with a second chance through rehabilitative programs and fair sentencing.  

Additionally, when I signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, we created Opportunity Zones.  Nationwide, nearly 9,000 communities have designated Opportunity Zones, including over 130 in Chicago, which are incentivizing investments in areas that have been forgotten for far too long.  

My Administration has also provided robust, unprecedented support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“Recently, on June 16, I signed an Executive Order advancing important reforms to elevate a noble profession and strengthen the essential bond of trust between police officers and the communities in which they serve.  

My Administration continues to work closely with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina and others across the political spectrum to advance further policy improvements and meaningful reforms.

“Unlike previous Administrations of both parties, I am willing to tackle unsolved challenges.  If you are willing to put partisanship aside, we can revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Chicago, together.  But to succeed, you must establish law and order.  

The combination of crime, high State and local taxes, and onerous State and local government regulations have caused thousands of Illinoisans to flee to other States.  Between 2010 and 2019, Illinois lost more of its population than any other state in the Nation. 

If you are interested, I am willing to ask members of my Cabinet to meet with you and help devise a plan to make Chicago safe, since a successful formula has escaped both you and your predecessors.  

My Administration would also welcome the opportunity to engage with you and your colleagues as you develop bipartisan policy recommendations to improve policing and make our great cities safer for all.

“Unfortunately, you continue to put your own political interests ahead of the lives, safety, and fortunes of your own citizens.  The people of Chicago deserve better.”

—

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About The Author

I am a proud husband to a wife who works in education and the father to two wonderful children. My first focus is on my family and spending time with them, my second is on my career. I am a current law enforcement lieutenant and have been an officer for over twenty years. Chris Elliot is a pen name for safety reasons.

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