Stoned drivers targeted by new breathalyzer technology
By Brady Jones Medill Reports Slowed reaction time. Reduced ability to make decisions. Impaired coordination. Memory loss. Difficulty in problem-solving. These are some of the symptoms listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describing people who drive under the influence of marijuana. And right now, it is very difficult for law enforcement […]
Mount Greenwood protests a microcosm of national division on police brutality
By Alex Ortiz During the afternoon of Nov. 20, a group of some 15 protesters walked down a closed off streets at Kedzie Avenue and 111th Street in Mount Greenwood on the city’s far southwestern edge. It was a cool but clear day — perfect for a large demonstration. Residents looked on while standing on […]
When volunteers help connect beat cops with communities, crime often goes down
By Jasmine Cen A beat facilitator is a volunteer who connects Chicago police officers working a beat with members of the community to help combat neighborhood violence. [vimeo 159123979 w=474] Beat facilitators meet monthly with the officers to talk about safety concerns at Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) meetings. The CAPS program began in 1993. More than 200 meetings happen every […]
Police and colleges assess the the emoji threat
By Colin Mo When it comes to the concept of “emoji” – ideograms and smileys used in electronic messaging and internet web pages – courts and law enforcement tend to take it very seriously. Recently, a 12-year-old girl was arrested for using emojis on a public Instagram post, prompting her school to call in law […]
One bullet, two victims: Protesters rally for convicted NYPD officer
By Shanshan Wang Thousands of people, mostly Chinese-Americans, marched in downtown Chicago Saturday, calling justice for former NYPD officer Peter Liang, who was convicted of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a black man in 2014. The protesters chanted along the way, holding national flags, signs and banners with slogans conveying the message that selective justice is not […]
Urban League panel works out community trust issues
By Thomas Vogel Video by Hannah Gebresilassie Police tactics, mental-health awareness and youth engagement were top concerns for a panel of community leaders, government officials and media personalities assembled Tuesday for a community forum at the South Side headquarters of the Urban League of Chicago. [vimeo 155727836 w=474] Representatives from Chicago Police Department, community leaders […]
Police recruitment numbers down
By Iacopo Luzi In East Side, on a cold night with no one on the streets, the lights of Taylor Elementary School are turned on to welcome aspiring police officers. But almost no one shows up. Taylor is open to host a Chicago Police Department recruitment fair, organized by Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th Ward). […]
Feeling the heat, Chicago Police counter criticism, highlight ‘good works’
By Thomas Vogel De-escalating a domestic dispute in Englewood. A drug bust in the Harrison District. A South Side foot chase to catch a carjacker. These are just a few of the instances the Chicago Police Department recognized Tuesday morning at its monthly Commendation Ceremony. Designed to emphasize positive instances of crime fighting, the event […]