Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown promises action on gun violence after Biden meeting

Chicago shootings: Strike force enacted to cut down on illegal gun trafficking, Biden says
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown is promising action on gun violence after meeting with President Joe Biden Monday at the White House.

President Joe Biden hosted law enforcement leaders from across the country to address rising crime Monday, and Brown was in attendance.
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The meeting came after 40 people were shot, 11 fatally, in shootings this past weekend.

The Chicago Police Department is counting on significant help from the federal government in the fight against violence.

Pres. Joe Biden Chicago: Supt. promises gun violence action


Brown said President Biden promised to include a law enforcement strike force to work with Chicago Police and increased efforts to intercept the flow of illegal guns along with money for violence interruption groups and street outreach workers.

WATCH: CPD supt. promises gun violence action after Biden meeting


CPD supt. promises gun violence action after Biden meeting


But a the superintendent waits for the feds to formalize their plan to help the city, he is continuing to cast a spotlight on one of his biggest frustrations of violent offenders getting let out on bail and electronic monitoring.
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A Chicago rapper was gunned down outside the Cook County jail as he was released on electronic monitoring Saturday night.

RELATED: Chicago rapper 'KTS Dre' killed in hail of bullets outside Cook County Jail

The superintendent said Londre Sylvester had 22 arrests on his rap sheet including a prior gun charge for which he was released on electronic monitoring and then rearrested for violating the terms of his release.



"It's incredible that he was eligible for electronic monitoring. It's madness. It's making us all less safe," said Brown.



Brown said the promised federal help would also include beefing up the ATF's work to trace guns used in crimes and more.

"The Strike Force will focus on the flow of guns which includes buyers and sellers of illegal guns," said Brown.

State Representative La Shawn Ford, who represents Chicago's West Side, said combatting violence will take more than federal help. He has sent a letter asking Governor Pritzker to convene the Violence Prevention Task Force to address the problem.
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"You have to as leaders come together, to sit at a table to come up with a strategy and a plan together," said Ford.

Superintendent Brown said details of the federal assistance would be released in the coming days.

RELATED: President Joe Biden offers to send 'strike force' to help Chicago violence crackdown

"While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, we know that there are some things that work. The first of those that work is stemming the flow of firearms used to commit violent crimes," Biden said. "It includes the DOJ creating five new task forces to crack down on illegal gun trafficking."



Brown also met with Lincolnwood native Attorney General Merrick Garland in Washington.

"Attorney General Garland and I had a conversation before the meeting started and had some commitment from him to help out Chicago," Brown said. "And he offered whatever needed."
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