Skepticism greets Chicago mayor's intent to beef up police in wake of growing violence

Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Wednesday's announcement by Chicago Police Superintendent, Eddie Johnson, that the city would hire 500 new police officers was met with faint praise by some, and by many that it was not enough to stem the tide of violence that has resulted in more homicides than New York and Los Angeles combined.

The move is also a direct contradiction of the course followed by second term Rahm Emanuel, who felt that overtime, to the tune of $116 million in 2105, was the best way to balance the budget and the void of officers leaving by attrition, along with community policing. In fact, he had the support of now ousted predecessor to Johnson, Garry McCarthy.

Much of the city’s police procedures, including hiring, have changed since the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald, by a white police officer, 16 times. Since that event there was the alleged suppression of the videotape, many of whom feel was a deliberate move by Emanuel, as he sought re election, against a viable contender; a first time for a mayoral run. Later the tape was ordered to be released by a local judge, and in a swift fall from grace, State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, lost her bid for reelection.

In the aftermath, there has been a Department of Justice investigation, and now a special grand jury appointed to determine any wrongdoing. With many residents alternating between anger against the alleged links between City Hall and the State’s Attorney office, the situation has further deteriorated with the uptick in crime.While mostly restricted to the South and West Sides, the city of Chicago, and Emanuel, have garnered national headlines.

Many community activists, and even some alderman, feel that any monies spent - and it’s not clear where the money will come from -- needs to be combined in a comprehensive manner for creating, and improving, neighborhood resources in the poor areas of the city, which have been most affected by the shootings.

The Rev. Gregory Livingston, president of The Coalition for a New Chicago, was perhaps the most vociferous in his condemnation of the proposed hirings, but also got personal with references to the advantages that the mayor’s own father gave him, to propel him upwards. Livingston also said, pointedly, that if the mayor could support a “Star Wars” museum, a reference to the now failed attempt by filmmaker George Lucas to establish a legacy museum, he could then work to avert “a crisis situation,” and one that needs not only improved schools, but a direct confrontation of the “root problems.”

Emanuel, also trying to keep a campaign promise for more officers, said, according to the Chicago Tribune, “It’s a complex problem with multidimensional facets to it," he said this month when noting he'd unveil a policing plan. "It's not just about more police, but it will include that. But it's also about more resources for our children, more resources for our neighborhoods and stiffer laws that reflect the values of our city."

Alderman Ray Lopez, in an appearance, noted that that the increase was a “step in the right direction,” but, like Livingston, wanted to see a collective and comprehensive move in providing increased resources and opportunity both as a deterrent, and also as a corrective, to prevent further violence. Adding that a “transformative effort” was needed, he said it was now “time to do it right.”

These problems, however, predate Emanuel, and are an unfortunate by product of long held citywide segregation, both residential and economic. All of which are the determinants in where a child can go to school, and what type of employment, as an adult, they may get. But, as has been said before, by many community leaders and residents, the time to begin is now.

Alluding to the racial strife between black residents and white policemen, and the arrests and deaths of those in custody, Bishop James Dykes noted that the “culture of disrespect, also ”needs to be addressed.”

If, and when, monies are found, the increases would reflect 516 patrol officers, 92 field training officers, 200 detectives, 112 sergeants, and 50 lieutenants, according to CPD. And, this would be over a 2 year period and not offering, an immediate solution, or alleviating the increase in shootings.

Costs for a first year hire would be $138,000 for the first year and after 5 years would increase to $180,000, and using the 500 figure would be $69 million in the first year and $90 million at year five. Other costs incurred would include hiring replacements for those officers that retire and and any secondary training needed.

While the mayor has said that there would be no increase in property, sales or gas taxes to pay for new officers, this does not rule out other forms of taxation, or fees.

Most of all the problem of illegal guns has to also be addressed, which has provided a long running script to Emanuel, as he faces mounting criticism of his handling, or mishandling, others say, of the violence.

Fr. Michael Pfleger, the pastor of St. Sabina Roman Catholic Church on the city’s South Side, and a long time advocate of gun control, as well as violence prevention said, to CNN: "We can't police our way out of this. If we don't also put the same kind of commitment to jobs, to economic development, housing, to good schools then, you know, we're going to find ourselves with the same problem we have right now.”

One of the more chilling statistics is that children under the age of 18 years old represent more than 3,000 of Chicago’s shooting victims.

In a press statement, Black Lives Matter Chicago noted that “The causes of crime and intra-communal violence exist because of the conditions of poverty that Rahm Emanuel has exacerbated for Chicago. More policing will not “fix” these conditions. What more policing will accomplish is more violence, more lock ups and more trauma for our already suffering communities.”

The mayor is expected to give a televised address on the city’s violence Thursday evening, where he will outline a comprehensive plan to curb it.