August 31, 2012

Mayor Emanuel, US Department of Justice and Chicago Police Department Expand Successful Violence Reduction Initiative to Additional Districts

More than 50 Additional Federal Agents from FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS Join Concentrated Police Resources to Reduce Violence, Improve Quality of Life

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

CHICAGO - Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Justice today announced the expansion of the Chicago Police Department’s successful violence reduction initiative in which aggressive, coordinated efforts across patrol, gang, narcotics and vice bureaus have reduced violent crime in the 7th and 11th districts.

The Police Department will coordinate its efforts with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Marshals Service as law enforcement officials collaborate to prevent and combat violent and drug-related crimes with additional federal resources. 

“After showing improvements in two districts that historically suffer from a high crime rate, we are expanding our work with Federal agencies to aggressively grow this initiative,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “These agencies have been incredible partners, and this decision shows their continued commitment to help expand successful crime reduction strategies here.  These new efforts will help us make a larger impact in our work to keep gangs, guns and drugs off the streets.”

“In close collaboration with Superintendent McCarthy, and the dedicated men and women of the Chicago Police Department, these additional federal resources will help to build capacity, bolster intelligence analysis capabilities, and spearhead criminal investigations and prosecutions,” said Attorney General Holder.  “The Department continues to stand with its partners in local law enforcement, and these additional resources will help the City of Chicago in its efforts to combat violent crime and improve the quality of life of its residents.”

The crime reduction plan concentrates police and federal resources from several bureaus.  Agents from the FBI, DEA, ATF and USMS are already working with Police on gang- and drug-related crimes and homicides throughout the City.  The expanded program will add additional agents and analysts to provide support, share intelligence and focus efforts for the next four months.

“Our goal is to create an impact citywide by focusing on areas in our communities that most susceptible to violent activity,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “We can apply the successful model we have adopted in the 7th and 11th district to other areas and expect to gain similar results and with both immediate and long-term achievements.”

In addition to law enforcement partners, the violence reduction initiative will work with community groups as well as City departments to achieve and sustain results.

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