January 23, 2012

Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy Announce Violence Reduction Initiative in 7th and 11th Districts

Concentrate Resources to Reduce Violence, Improve Quality of Life; Also Announce New Command Appointment

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy announced today crime reduction plans that concentrate Police resources from several bureaus to coordinate efforts in the Englewood (7th) and Harrison (11th) Districts. Combined, the two districts accounted for nearly 25 percent of the murders and shooting incidents citywide in 2011 and roughly a third of all murders and shooting incidents throughout the city for the first two weeks of January 2012.

“We are aggressively applying our resources where they are needed most and making changes in two districts that account for approximately one quarter of the murders and shooting incidents we experience as a city,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “This is another step in our work to keep gangs, guns, and drugs off the streets.”

The resources supporting the violence reduction initiative are from the Bureau of Patrol and at the district level in Englewood and Harrison, where more than 100 officers have been redeployed since May. Officers in each district will be dedicated to identify areas to undertake aggressive patrol measures including foot patrol, street and vehicle stops, and enforcement of outstanding warrants.

In addition, resources from the Bureau of Organized Crime and Bureau of Detectives will serve as a complement to the plan, focusing on narcotics and other vice violations that encourage violent and criminal activity, and responding strategically to shooting incidents in problematic areas in each district. 

“Crime knows no boundaries and our goal is to effect a significant impact Citywide by focusing on the areas most susceptible to violent activity in our communities,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “In order to realize and maintain safe neighborhoods and the quality of life every resident in Chicago deserves, we must work together to this end with both a short- and long-term vision."

The violence reduction initiative will work with community groups as well as City and law enforcement partners in an effort to achieve and sustain results. 

Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy also announced the appointment of Leo Schmitz as Commander of the 7th District. Schmitz was the Commander of the Gang Enforcement Division in the Bureau of Organized Crime. Commander Schmitz has served the CPD for 26 years, and has a proven record of service in the Department, having served as Commander of the Gang Investigations Section, Commander of the 8th District and numerous other positions in the Department.

Former 7th District Commander Anthony Carothers has been named the Executive Officer for Area 4. Prior to his assignment as Commander of the 7th District, Carothers served as the commanding officer in the Bureau of Detectives, Homicide Investigations. He has worked in Patrol and Detectives since his appointment to the Department in 1985. 

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