CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling talks CTA crime, Officer Krystal Rivera death in year in review

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Overall, an ABC7 Chicago I-Team data analysis shows most crimes have dropped in the past 12 months in Chicago.

Murders are down nearly 34 percent. The number of shooting victims is also down. Violent crimes, including aggravated assault and sexual assault, have dropped.

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However, as more people ride the CTA, the number of crimes happening on public transit, is on the rise.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling sat down with the I-Team for a wide-ranging interview covering everything from overall reduction in crime over the past year to the fiery attack on the CTA, the killing of Officer Krystal Rivera and lessons learned from "Operation Midway Blitz."

"The focus is violent crime, obviously, and just doing every single thing that we can to keep violent crime down. Now that means to make sure that we work on getting repeat offenders and our most violent people off the street and getting them held," Superintendent Snelling said. "Having a good relationship with the state's attorney is absolutely necessary. Having that relationship with the state's attorney has been extremely helpful for us, keeping repeat offenders held while their cases go on and continue. We're working on plans for our officers to work more closely with CTA to fill those gaps, to figure out where we need to be. We have to study every single thing that's happening on the CTA. We need to find a way to keep people who are offending on the CTA, who are acting out violently against other people. We need to find a way to make sure that we keep those people away from CTA."

He also said that could include CPD officers on CTA trains.

Regarding an independent investigation of the shooting of Officer Krystal Rivera by Carlos Baker, her partner, Snelling said, "it's necessary. And there is an independent investigation. It's COPA. COPA is doing the investigation. This isn't an internal investigation being done by the Chicago Police Department. It's tragic. And the family has a right to be upset and to be angry. But the investigation will eventually play out. And at some point, the video is going to have to be opened for everyone to see. It will eventually be released, and people can make their determinations at that point."

When Snelling was asked about the lessons learned from "Operation Midway Blitz," he said, "as a police agency, you have to be fluid. You have to have the ability to work into any situation."

Snelling said the Chicago Police Department is there to keep the peace and deescalate volatile situations.

With Greg Bovino and Border Patrol back in the Chicago area, that may be put to the test.

Superintendent Snelling said his officers are prepared for the return of federal agents.