Chicago officials call for calm ahead of Memorial Day weekend as homicides decline
The Brief
City leaders urge calm ahead of Memorial Day weekend, historically one of Chicago's most violent, as homicides are down 40 compared to last year.
Officials emphasize community involvement, with Superintendent Snelling saying police can't "arrest our way out of this" and highlighting programs like basketball tournaments and violence intervention workers.
Mayor Johnson defends his public safety approach, citing drops in shootings, victims, and robberies, while a proposal to reinstate emergency curfew powers remains on hold in City Council.
CHICAGO - Chicago's top officials are calling for calm ahead of Memorial Day weekend — often one of the city's most violent — as homicides continue to fall and the summer season begins.
What we know
Homicides are down by 40 compared to this time last year, and the city is on pace to finish the year with fewer than 400 homicides for the first time in decades — if the downward trend holds through the warmer months, which typically bring a spike in violence.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and other officials held the city's annual pre-Memorial Day safety press conference Thursday, emphasizing that public safety depends on more than just law enforcement.
"Now, to get through the summer again and make it the most peaceful summer that we can possibly have, we are going to need everyone. Everyone has to step up. We as a police department, we are not going to arrest our way out of this. And if we can avoid making arrests, that's a good day for us," Snelling said.
City-led initiatives for the weekend include a basketball tournament in high-crime neighborhoods and the deployment of dozens of community violence intervention workers to work alongside police.
One tool officers won't have this year is the ability to impose a snap curfew — an emergency power currently on hold in the City Council.
Johnson has expressed skepticism about the measure and pointed to the drop in homicides as evidence his broader safety strategy is working.
"Shootings are down. Shooting victims are down. Robberies are down. All of that is the result of collective response and responsibility. I remember the 90s when it was 900 people getting murdered every single year. I remember that. We have turned the page. We're going to build the safest, most affordable big city in America and we're going to do it together," Johnson said.
Memorial Day weekend traditionally marks the unofficial start of summer and has long been associated with a surge in shootings and violent crime in the Chicago area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A look back: Mayor Patrick Cannon's path from scandal to second chances
Stories by Charlotte Observer journalists, with AI summarization Patrick Cannon's journey from disgrace to redemption stands out in Charlotte's political history. After his 2014 conviction for taking bribes from undercover FBI agents and serving time in federal prison, Cannon acknowledged his wrongdoing on his radio show, "At the Table with Cannon." He used this platform to publicly apologize and reconnect with the community. Cannon's return to public life included advising aspiring politicians at forums and voicing support for colleagues' campaigns. Ultimately, he filed to run for City Council, telling voters he takes responsibility for his actions and wants a second chance to serve Charlotte. His campaign raises questions about trust, forgiveness, and the challenges of earning redemption in public service. On Wednesday, Patrick Cannon is scheduled to become a free man. | Published January 24, 2017 | Read Full Story Former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon has a new talk-show job. | Published April 12, 2017 | Read Full Story Former Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon apologized profusely on his new radio show for taking the bribes that sent him to federal 50, was arrested in March 2014, four months into his term, and later pleaded guilty to taking about $50,000 in bribes from federal undercover officers. | Published April 17, 2017 | Read Full Story Former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon, in his first public appearance since being released from federal prison on corruption charges, said Saturday he is focused on being the 'best father, husband and son he can be' – but didn't rule out running for office again.'Anything else is God's will,' Cannon a Democrat, was part of a forum held by the Black Political Caucus for people considering running for public office. | Published May 13, 2017 | Read Full Story Needing a voice over for a campaign radio ad, at-large City Council member Claire Fallon turned to an old colleague: | Published September 14, 2017 | Read Full Story by Steve Harrison When he was convicted, a judge foretold Patrick Cannon's name ought to 'fade into our distant memories' — but this election season may change that. | Published March 4, 2022 | Read Full Story by Will Wright The former mayor is returning to Charlotte politics with a bid for City Council. | Published March 4, 2022 | Read Full Story by Anna Douglas The disgraced former mayor is hoping to make a political comeback. | Editorial | Published March 14, 2022 | Read Full Story by the Editorial Board Patrick Cannon's comments came during a forum with other candidates running for City Council. | Published April 2, 2022 | Read Full Story by Will Wright Find out who's on the ballot and what they stand for. This Q&A is one in a series for The Charlotte Observer's voter guide to 2022 local, county and state elections. | Published April 22, 2022 | Read Full Story The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Short staffing at Honolulu police dispatch leads to long 911 wait times, union says
Dispatchers at the Honolulu Police Department are being forced to work overtime because of short staffing. Some 911 callers are waiting as long as 20 minutes to ask for help. Employees face 'vitriol and verbal abuse ' from supervisors. The allegations were outlined in a two-page letter delivered to the Honolulu City Council on Thursday from the Hawaii Government Employees Association. HPD currently has 456 vacant police officer positions and 188 civilian employee openings as of May 1. Making up more than a quarter of the vacant civilian positions are Police Communications Officer I and II, also known as dispatchers. A Communications Officer I earns a minimum of $4, 409 a month and up to $6, 526. The officer II position starts at $4, 766 and climbs as high as $7, 058. Operating with 35 % of its dispatcher positions vacant, the situation in HPD's Communications Division has become so dire that the department is 'regularly changing its operational policies ' to keep services running, according to a June 5 letter to the City Council, obtained by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser from HGEA. For HGEA's members it has meant 'emotional and physical strain : working longer hours, foregoing lunch breaks—even bathroom breaks—and being coerced by managers if they are unable to work overtime.' They are so 'severely short-staffed ' that it has created a potential 'public hazard and a toxic and coercive work environment.' Until recently, dispatchers would be assigned to either emergency or nonemergency calls, but because of short staffing, dispatchers are pulling double duty, resulting 'in longer wait times for emergency calls.' 'Employees say 911 wait times can range from a few minutes up to 20 minutes or more, due in large part to employees taking non-emergency calls. Just a few minutes is an eternity in an emergency situation and the stress of waiting an extended period of time to speak to a dispatcher enrages callers. Employees are routinely subjected to vitriol and verbal abuse simply because there is not enough staff to manage the call volume. These interactions are a source of incredible stress and anxiety for dispatchers, ' wrote HGEA Executive Director Randy Perreira. In a statement to the Star-Advertiser, HPD Public Information Officer Alina Lee said that the department takes 'all concerns regarding the workplace environment seriously and is committed to fostering a professional and supportive atmosphere.' 'While staffing challenges are well-documented, we continue to prioritize emergency call handling and public safety, 'Lee said. 'The department continues to work closely with employees, supervisors, and union representatives to address any operational concerns and ensure the public receives timely emergency services.' Mandated overtime is common, she said. The average police communications officer works two to three mandated four-hour shifts per five-day work week, in addition to their regular eight-hour shifts. 'Some employees may stay longer, but that is at their discretion and considered voluntary overtime. Exceptions (such as for child care ) are handled case by case, ' Lee said. HPD's Human Resources Division and Communications Division collaborate to recruit and retain dispatchers. Recruiters, including current communications officers and uniformed officers, attend nearly 'every career fair, as well as many other community events, ' Lee said. 'The recruitment also involves the use of social media and other online platforms, including the city's job postings, ' said Lee. The department's sit-along program is modeled after the traditional ride-along. Interested applicants spend time with a dispatcher to experience the job firsthand and the program is designed to provide a 'behind-the-scenes perspective and to foster greater interest in the role.' Every quarter HPD's recruitment team holds informational sessions, offering both in-person and virtual options. 'During these sessions, they discuss the job benefits, explain the application process, and highlight common mistakes to avoid, ' Lee said. HPD is also partnering with the state Department of Education to market the position to high school students. The recruitment team and Communications Division have collaborated with local high schools to enhance promotion and marketing of the dispatcher position. Recruitment staff and dispatchers are currently attending the State Leadership Conference at Moanalua High School to highlight the role, Lee said. Previously, the Communications Division gave a presentation to Mililani High School's Foundations in Law Enforcement class. Perreira, in an interview, lauded the Honolulu City Council's effort to intervene in the recruitment and retention of uniformed officers. He urged members to expand the push to include communications officers and civilian personnel, noting that dispatchers field the first call for help. They aid people in emergencies help them stay calm, gather information, and dispatch the police and public safety resources needed. 'The job is stressful to begin with. But conditions now have reached a point it's making it … very difficult for them to continue without some kind of intervention, ' said Perreira, noting the union has pushed this issue with the city for several years. 'We acknowledge that answers are not easy.' About one in three applicants for an HPD communications officer position makes the cut, he said, because it is 'tough work.' During the Aug. 8, 2023, West Maui wildfire that burned down Lahaina and killed 102 people, dispatchers fielded more than 4, 500 calls from people panicking about the fast-moving blaze and in need of help. 'Only so many are deemed qualified, ' Perreira said. He urged Council members and city officials to look at the pay issue and what the neighbor island counties have done. More money is not the only answer he said, but would help attract qualified applicants. Dispatchers employed by other counties may earn a salary differential each month, a boost of between $750 and $1, 000. 'But the city here has resisted. HPD's response to us is to continue a program they started that disincentives sick leave. You get the differential as long as you don't call in sick.' Communications officers are working so many hours to the point of physical, emotional and psychological fatigue. 'They have to call in sick … just to detoxify themselves, ' Perreira said. Lee said HPD received a proposal from the union regarding employee retention incentives. 'In response, an alternative compensation adjustment was discussed, which both parties generally supported as a more effective way to recognize employees actively staffing positions, ' Lee said. 'The alternative proposal is now under review by the appropriate department.' Twenty-five current police communication officers are at retirement age, which threatens to 'compound the vacancy crisis the department faces, not to mention the strain it will put on the workforce when these veteran employees leave, ' Perreira wrote Thursday. HPD has retained only 13 police communication officers hired since 2020 compared to 21 who left. Retirements will further impact staffing, and HPD is continuing 'to prioritize dispatcher recruitment.' 'We've also begun training sworn personnel to assist with call-taking and are hiring former dispatchers on a contract, part-time basis, ' Lee said. 'As the union noted, we've adjusted operational procedures and are developing contingencies to maintain operations with reduced staffing.'
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lodi's budget up 8.35% on rising costs
Jun. 7—The Lodi City Council approved the 2025-26 budget on Wednesday, and staff said the $291 million spending plan reflects an 8.35% increase over last year. The increase was primarily driven by rising staff costs, supplies and materials, staff said. Despite a slowing economy, general fund revenues are expected to see a modest 4.1% increase. "Our budget and finance team has done a great job managing our resources," Mayor Cameron Bregman said. "Because of smart planning and solid reserves, we're in a good spot to handle an uncertain economy without cutting essential services. We'll keep focusing on what matters most — supporting public safety, growing our local economy, and taking care of our proud community." The projected increase in revenues comes from recently approved Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services facility rental rate hikes, as well as an anticipated $560,000 in annual rental income from a new power plant on the south west side of Lodi Lake and $1.7 million of interest income. Reserves will continue to support park improvements, information technology upgrades and vehicle and equipment replacements, staff said. The budget also includes investments in capital infrastructure, deferred maintenance and addressing the city's underfunded pension liabilities. For example, $16.9 million has been allocated to infrastructure projects that include water main rehabilitation, signal improvements at the Ham Lane and Turner Road intersection, security cameras at city parks, the Ham Lane widening project, and transit facility repairs and upgrades. "Operating within a constrained fiscal environment, particularly within the general fund, required deliberate reflection and thoughtful choices to ensure a balanced and responsive plan to sustain our core services," Acting City Manager James Lindsay said. "To align our resources with current market conditions, we implemented a series of mitigations totaling $7.4 million to balance revenue assumptions and expenses." In addition, the budget includes allocating $2.23 million from existing reserves to cover worker's compensation, general liability, and property liability coverage; cutting a proposed $154,000 increase in the Lodi Police Department's part-time budget for pay raises to retired annuitants; reducing department budget requests by about $952,000; and eliminating a proposed $2 million budget for a new facility internal service fund. The 2025-26 draft budget is available online at and the adopted budget book will be available in the coming weeks after approved updates have been completed.
