Chicago Mayor Johnson, police, CFD speak on summer safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend
City leaders are pushing more activities for teens as summer arrives.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- With beaches set to open and a holiday weekend looming, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling spoke at a summer safety press conference Thursday morning.
Johnson, Snelling, Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt and other local leaders, including the CTA acting president, held a press conference on the South Side.
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City leaders are pushing more activities for teens as summer arrives.
Johnson said the city's safety plan is not too different from what his administration is already doing because Johnson says crime has been dropping.
Midnight basketball and baseball are returning to the Chicago Park District this summer.
It's just one small part of a citywide safety strategy that involves all city departments: a plan that Mayor Johnson says has been in place and works.
"We can already see the benefit of our collaborative, holistic and data-driven community safety strategy. As of Tuesday, May 20th, volent crime is down 21%," Johnson said.
That includes homicides.
"That's 40 less people who have been murdered in the city of Chicago this year," Snelling said.
In terms of policing, Snelling says one of the strategies is not having a one-size-fits-all approach.
"We look at our deployments; we look at those areas that need the most help, those areas affected by violent crime," Snelling said.
The Johnson administration also plans to rely on its youth summer jobs programs and violence interrupter organizations.
Monique Hawkins and her team are boots on the ground.
"By us being from the communities we are in, we have relationships with these moms and their kids," Hawkins said.
On Wednesday, the Chicago City Council delayed a vote on a so-called "snap curfew" for minors. The ordinance was introduced in an effort to curb the "teen takeover" trend in the city.
"It's tough to contend with; I thought we had consensus," 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins said.
The mayor has concerns about giving the police superintendent unilateral authority to enforce the ordinance.
Hopkins says the ordinance calls for the mayor's office to be involved in decisions, but Snelling has the final call.
"I have the information and experience to know and understand what is going to be the best and most effective way to get the job done," Snelling said.
Hopkins says the curfew ordinance will come up for a vote at City Council's June meeting. While the mayor has concerns about it, he has yet to say if he plans to veto the ordinance.
Lakefront beaches officially open Friday, and will remain open through Labor Day.
There are several Chicago festivals, events and concerts this Memorial Day weekend, and the Navy Pier fireworks start at 10 p.m. Saturday.
