Chicago aldermen call for tougher response to street takeovers after holiday weekend incidents

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Several Chicago aldermen are calling for a more aggressive police response to street takeovers after multiple incidents occurred across the city during the holiday weekend, including one that turned violent.

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Visible circular tire marks were left at the intersections of 47th Street and California Avenue and 18th Street and Canal Street, both of which were locations of street takeovers.

In the South Shore neighborhood, a large ring of fire was started during a takeover near Lake Shore Drive and Jeffrey Boulevard.

The South Shore incident occurred in the same neighborhood where 5th Ward Ald. Desmon Yancy lives. He said residents are frustrated by the recurring events.

"This isn't the first time this has happened this summer, we're hoping it's the last. But you know, it's unsafe. It's noisy. It, you know, leaves damage along the roadway, and it's just a lot for us to deal with," Yancy said.

The takeover at 47th Street and California Avenue occurred on the edge of Ald. Ray Lopez's ward. Lopez said stronger enforcement is needed to deter participants.

"What you need to do is you need to start impounding cars, taking under 18 crowd to the police station, and finding their parents for this activity. That's what's going to get people's attention. The moment the first person loses their car, all of this ends," Lopez said.

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Lopez said the City Council should pass an ordinance aimed at holding teenagers and their parents accountable for street takeover activity.

According to Lopez, the measure has failed twice. He also called on the Chicago Police Department to take a more aggressive approach.

Retired Chicago Police First Deputy Superintendent Anthony Riccio said the department's current strategy has focused on dispersing participants and reopening intersections.

"I think thus far the policy of the Chicago Police Department has been to just disperse them and get rid of them, clear up the intersection, restore peace, and move on," Riccio said.

Riccio said Chicago police should consider tactics used by the Los Angeles Police Department, which conducted a large enforcement operation over the weekend that resulted in nearly 70 arrests and about 600 citations related to street takeovers.

"They had helicopters in the air. They had drones. As people scattered, the drones followed them, so the police knew where they were going," Riccio said.

While such operations require significant resources, Riccio said a large-scale enforcement effort could send a message to participants. He added that police are often alerted to planned street takeovers through social media, allowing operations to be coordinated in advance.

Lopez also questioned the city's response to the weekend incidents.

"Where's the salt trucks? Where are the tow trucks. Where were all of that Sunday night? That's the question. And Brandon Johnson owes us all an answer for that," Lopez said.

Police will keep a close watch on street takeover activity as Mexican Independence Day celebrations approach.

Parade organizers are scheduled to join Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Police Department's interim superintendent to discuss safety measures.

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