"Safety is built through presence, partnership, and investment in our neighborhoods. Community safety is not just about responding to harm-it's about preventing it before it happens," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "This strategy reflects our commitment to working alongside residents and community organizations to expand opportunity, strengthen trust between law enforcement and our residents, and show up in our communities with the resources and care needed to keep Chicagoans safe this summer and beyond."
The 2026 strategy will prioritize access to city resources, encouraging organizations to lead safety efforts, and "advancing accountability."
City leaders will focus on cross-agency response, youth engagement, gender-based violence training, community activities and strengthening communication.
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Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling on the issue on Wednesday.
"It's not parent shaming to say you should know where your children are at 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night, when you have a 12-year-old or 13-year-old," Snelling said.
Snelling did make it clear during his Wednesday City Club appearance it's time to stop make excuses for criminals.
"I think we've become so focused on why an offender offends, we've forgotten to ask the question about what we can do for those people that they've offended against," Snelling said.
Snelling said accountability must be part of the city's response, adding that some young offenders need to be locked up.
ABC7 Chicago will livestream the mayor's summer safety news conference at 2:30 p.m.