Chicago braces for Memorial Day with ‘peacekeepers’ to keep the city safe during its most violent holiday

Chicago is bracing for the Memorial Day chaos by deploying “peacekeepers” across the city — after 52 people were shot and nine killed during the holiday last year.

Historically, Memorial Day weekend has been marked by an increase in violent incidents in Chicago, making it one of the most challenging periods for public safety in the city.

Governor JB Pritzker announced on Thursday the creation of the Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit, which will work with community organizations to deploy more than 30 trained “peacekeepers” to the neighborhood.

It was described as a highly mobile team specifically designed to prevent violence and handle conflict and crises in the City of Chicago by providing vital de-escalation, conflict resolution and crisis support assistance in the Windy City.

This coordinated response effort will serve as a crucial test for newly inaugurated Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, who took office this month with a commitment to addressing public safety through “intelligent and holistic approaches” rather than acting alone. rely on toughness.

Chicago experienced an increase in nearly all crime areas this week compared to the same time last year

Chicago is bracing for the Memorial Day chaos by deploying “peacekeepers” to the city

Governor Pritzker emphasized the utmost importance of ensuring the safety of the community.

‘The most important work we do is to keep our communities safe’ said Pritzker. “This is another important step towards addressing violence and conflict through research-based, community-based approaches.”

“Our primary focus is on securing our neighborhoods. This initiative represents an important step towards addressing violence and conflict resolution by implementing research-based strategies and placing a strong emphasis on community involvement,” he said.

Inspired by the success of two pre-existing organizations in the city, Governor JB Pritzker has implemented a program that reflects their efforts.

The Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, a coalition of private and public organizations, has pledged $2.5 million to fund 253 grassroots groups working in 24 communities across the South and West Sides, the economically struggling areas of Chicago. have, Johnson said in a news conference.

Crime incidents in Chicago are up 41 percent last year from 2021, and another 42 percent so far in 2023. A mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on July 4 last year left seven people dead and injured. more than 40 injured.

“My administration’s top priority is to build a city where every resident feels safe, and for that we need everyone at the table,” Johnson said.

The new unit has focused on mobility to enable the ‘peacekeepers’ to respond to different incidents and perform tasks in different areas.

This extensive training enables violence prevention coordinators to operate outside of their familiar neighborhoods to address potential conflicts or crises in other areas, such as recent major teen rallies in downtown Chicago or mass casualties, the press release said.

This flexibility ensures an agile and efficient approach to conflict and crisis management. IDHS has been working closely with providers to ensure that the CPRU Memorial Day Weekend is operational and will expand throughout the summer, historically a time of increased violence in Chicago.

Over Memorial Day weekend in 2022, 52 people were shot and nine killed in Chicago

Chicago experienced its bloodiest Memorial Day weekend in five years last year

In all, more than 150 people have died in the United States over Memorial Day Weekend in 2022

Last year, Chicago experienced its most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years, with more than 50 people shot.

Of the 52 people shot, nine were killed, including three underage victims. The violence in 2022, despite a stay-at-home order, was designed to keep people indoors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said it was “unacceptable violence. “The violence in the city over Memorial Day weekend was nothing short of alarming,” he said last year.

Chicago experienced an increase in nearly all crime areas this week compared to the same time last year.

Homicide, robbery and heavy battery charges are up 9 percent, burglary by 18 percent, robbery by 11 percent and motor vehicle theft by a whopping 158 percent.

Violence already seems to be in the air in Chicago. On Monday, a mass brawl broke out in the baggage carousel at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of the Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response unit’

This will serve as a test for newly inaugurated Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson who has committed to tackling crime through intelligent, holistic approaches

The dispute allegedly started while disembarking and then spilled over to the lower floors of Terminal 3. Chicago police said they arrested an 18-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman with battery after the incident.

Last year, more than 150 people were killed across America over Memorial Day weekend, with Chicago, Philadelphia and Maryland experiencing the worst shootings.

This year, police in Philadelphia are also preparing for a violent holiday weekend. Crime and ATVs are a special concern for the police.

The department released a statement this week saying, “It is ready to respond to calls for city-wide service. individuals can expect an increased police presence where crowds are expected.”

State Representative Amen Brown has been working with lawmakers in Harrisburg on legislation to confiscate bicycles from motorcyclists who violate traffic laws. “I understand that riding these ATVs and dirt bikes is part of the Philadelphia culture, but there is a time and place for it,” he said.

‘The weather will be nice. Therefore, all branches of government and law enforcement must work together to crack down on this issue.”