Chicago's top cop: controlling crime requires everyone including criminal justice system

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson spoke out in a Sun-Times opinion editorial about conquering the City's crime issues.

But to do that requires "judges and the rest of the criminal justice system to join parents, clergy, activists and Chicago’s residents as our partners to create a culture of responsibility and accountability in neighborhoods across the city," he said. 

Johnson illustrated that statement with a recent arrest. A combined total of 80 arrests occurred for one alleged offender, Raul Martinez, and one victim, Robert Rosenau, involved in a homicide that occurred in Chicago a week ago. 

"The long and violent histories of these men demonstrate the challenges that Chicago police officers face every day in making our city safer," said Johnson. "Chicagoans depend on the brave men and women of the police department to patrol the streets each day with professionalism and with respect for the people we serve. Lately, we have seen how much damage a small number of repeat offenders with violent criminal records can cause in our communities." 

Johnson goes on to say that to the voices of parents, clergy, activists and residents must be added judges and the rest of the criminal justice system. Pointing out that forging a partnership with these various community stakeholders is vital in creating a culture of responsibility and accountability in neighborhoods across the city. 

"Offenders tell me that as long as they can get out of jail in a matter of months for carrying a gun, they are going to do it again. And Martinez, the alleged offender in last week’s murder case, is the perfect demonstration: in 2014, he was sentenced to three years in jail on a gun charge, but walked free just over a year later." 

Criminal Justice System
"So I’m going to continue to demand that the criminal justice system do a better job to hold these violent individuals accountable and keep them off of our streets.

"It doesn’t have to be this way. It shouldn’t be this way. And by working together, we can curb these trends.

"I will ensure our officers are doing everything possible to get these dangerous, repeat offenders off the street. But if the courts put them right back on the street days or weeks later, all our work is washed away. Police have a big role in public safety, but ours is not the only role and everyone needs to play their part." 

CPD Technology
Technology is giving CPD the opportunity to use an algorithm that computes important violence-related information about individuals, such as previous arrests, gang affiliations and more, explained Johnson. "The results give them a chance to identify and take action against the small number of offenders who are driving the violence in Chicago.

"By our count, about 1,300 individuals, or less than one percent of the city’s population are responsible for the vast majority of violence we’ve seen in recent months. Having this information at our fingertips helps us better target our resources to go after those individuals who pose the biggest threat to the safety of our communities." 

Creating solutions
"It will require patience, persistence and the steadfast determination to build relationships and reinforce the responsibility that everyone shares for the safety of our children," says Johnson. Sharing in these efforts are the parents. He believes that parents must step up-and teach young people right from wrong, not looking the other way when there is trouble. 

Combining technology with "good old fashioned police work," parent responsibility, community resident and leader involvement along with partnering with judges and the criminal justice system are what he believes will change the culture and stem the violence. 

Rebuilding Trust
"Respect is the foundation for rebuilding trust," concluded Johnson. "And the easiest and most honest way to show respect is to listen. To the residents of Chicago, we hear you and you have my commitment that we will work with you as your partners in this fight…When we all work together, and when we all do our part, we can make our city an ever safer and more vibrant place to live. We are all in this together."

What the Superintendent did not say was the need for additional police officers, a state that many others do talk about.