On Friday, the City of Chicago announced a groundbreaking summer safety plan, underscored by a $100 million investment from the FY24 budget.
This comprehensive strategy focuses on anti-violence programming, strategic CPD deployments and strengthened investigations, restorative justice, re-entry services, and domestic and gender-based violence prevention and intervention – all aimed at enhancing community safety and well-being.
“Today marks a significant step forward in our commitment to community safety and well-being,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Our historic investments and innovative approaches demonstrate our dedication to creating a safer, more equitable Chicago for all residents.”
A core part of our comprehensive safety plan is The People’s Plan for Community Safety that was launched last year. A two-pronged strategy will be implemented in priority neighborhoods to address the historic disinvestment by layering investments focused on nourishing the foundations of community.
- People-Based: The plan focuses efforts on Chicagoans who are most impacted by historic disinvestment and violence. This includes outreach and intervention with youth and adults of highest promise – members of our community who have been impacted by the repeated cycle of harm due to purposeful disinvestment– as well as support for victims and survivors of violence.
- Place-Based: To ensure a safer Chicago for generations to come, the plan focuses on addressing the root causes of violence through long-term, layered investments in key areas: education, economic opportunity, housing, health, community environment, community violence intervention and policing.
Over the past year, the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety has facilitated regular gatherings involving leaders from every City Department and Agency, convening biweekly to analyze community safety data, strategize actions, and coordinate responses. Recently, we’ve extended this collaboration to include input from community leaders in highly affected areas, aiming to align city support with grassroots efforts. Each department, beyond CPD, has been tasked with identifying its role in violence prevention, spanning from youth programming to street maintenance.
“Our approach to creating safety in our neighborhoods combines the full force of government with community engagement and strategic investments,” said Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood. “By leveraging the strengths of both sectors, we’re not only enhancing our rapid response capabilities but also fostering long-term solutions to address systemic challenges. Together, we’re committed to ensuring every resident feels safe and supported in their community.”
As we approach the summer months, we’re committed to holding departments and agencies accountable through these biweekly meetings, adapting strategies collaboratively to address violent incidents and support impacted communities. In response to the ongoing threat of mass shootings and other tragedies, we’ve launched a cross-sector Rapid Response Team led by the Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC).
This pilot initiative aims to swiftly activate city resources and services following high-acuity incidents, providing comprehensive support to victims, survivors, and affected communities.
A key initiative for violence prevention this summer is the CPD and Community Violence Intervention (CVI) professional understanding initiative that outlines their complimentary but independent roles in increasing safety and reducing violence. Over the past year and a half, CPD and CVI have developed a framework outlining their respective roles in increasing safety and reducing violence, focusing on mutual understanding and efficient communication.
Currently operational in nine Police Districts, including areas with significant CVI presence, the initiative aims to expedite shooting notifications from CPD to CVI partners to prevent future violence.
Expansion to three additional geographies this summer—Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Greater Garfield Park, and Englewood—is expected to further enhance the initiative’s impact. This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to exploring all avenues for a safer Chicago and securing the necessary resources for this goal.
In our concerted efforts to address and continue to prevent violence in our city, we are employing a multi-faceted approach that utilizes the People’s Plan for Community Safety with strategic investments alongside the Police Department’s comprehensive public safety plan that focuses on ensuring the safety of all Chicagoans.
The Chicago Police Department has developed a public safety plan for summer that reflects a year-long endeavor to efficiently allocate resources citywide. District commanders and Area Deputy Chiefs have the autonomy to adjust resources in real-time, supported by technology-driven analyses from Strategic Decision Support Centers.
“Everyone in this city, including every family and every child, deserves to enjoy the summer without the fear of violence,” said CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling. “Our summer plan is built on a year-long effort to allocate our resources efficiently and make sure each neighborhood across the city has what its residents need to feel and be safe.”
Addressing violent crimes remains paramount, with a focus on armed robberies and vehicular hijackings through data-driven deployments and the Citywide Robbery Task Force. Enhanced investigations, supported by intelligence and technology, complement additional resource deployments in key areas like the lakefront, beaches, and the central business district.
Key Highlights of the Summer Safety Plan:
Major Investment in Anti-Violence and Community Support Programs:
- $100 Million Allocated: The FY24 budget channels substantial funding towards anti-violence programming, restorative justice, re-entry services, and prevention strategies for domestic and gender-based violence.
- Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC): This pivotal entity will spearhead the implementation of various initiatives, ensuring a coordinated and effective approach.
Creation of the Department of Re-entry:
- Dedicated Programmatic Funding: For the first time, the newly established Department of Re-entry receives dedicated funding, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting individuals reintegrating into society and curbing recidivism.
Expansion within the Chicago Police Department (CPD):
- Nearly 400 New Civilian Positions: The FY24 budget introduces additional civilian roles within the CPD, along with 200 promotional opportunities within the Bureau of Detectives, aimed at enhancing clearance rates without increasing overall headcount.
Launch of the People’s Plan for Community Safety:
- People- and Place-Based Approach: This initiative prioritizes investment in historically marginalized communities, addressing both people- and place-based factors contributing to violence.
Appointment of Leaders Committed to Community-Led Violence Prevention:
- Superintendent Snelling and Dr. Ige: Notable nominations include leaders with proven records in community-led violence prevention, reflecting the city’s dedication to effective leadership.
Mental Health System Expansion:
- Collaborative Efforts: The establishment of the Mental Health System Expansion Working Group, in collaboration with Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, aims to realize the vision of the Treatment Not Trauma campaign, advocating for robust public care systems and crisis response programs.
Celebrating Community Investments for Long-Term Safety:
- $1.25 Billion Housing & Economic Development Bond: This bond will drive economic growth and housing initiatives, fostering sustainable development without increasing property taxes.
- $1 Million Community Convener RFP: In partnership with CDPH, this funding will bolster community-based organizations in key neighborhoods, aligning with the People’s Plan for Community Safety.
Rapid Response and Community Engagement:
- CSCC-Led Initiatives: The Community Safety Coordination Center leads cross-sector incident response teams, ensuring swift coordination of city resources following high-acuity incidents.
- Prosocial Engagement: The plan includes targeted provision and coordination of city services, along with behavioral change campaigns and collaborations with community groups.
Youth Empowerment and Engagement:
- One Summer Chicago (OSC): DFSS, in partnership with local stakeholders, offers paid work experiences and mentoring opportunities for youth, fostering skill development and community engagement.
- MCMF Safe Spaces: Initiatives like Kickback events and programming activations aim to provide safe and supportive environments for youth, promoting community connectedness and violence prevention.
Park District Initiatives:
- Summer Youth Jobs: The Park District serves as a major employer of youth, offering opportunities for skill development and engagement in safe, fun activities.
- Rollin’ Recreation: A mobile recreation program brings engaging activities to underserved communities, fostering community cohesion and reducing incidents of violence.
Collaborative Efforts Across Departments:
- Coordinated Security Operations: Various city departments collaborate to ensure park and neighborhood safety through proactive monitoring and engagement.
- CPS Partnerships: CPS Office of Safety and Security collaborates with the Chicago Park District to offer Safe Passage Programming and Safe Haven Out of School Time Program, enriching the summer experience for youth.
For more information on the City of Chicago’s comprehensive summer safety plan and initiatives, please visit chicago.gov/communitysafety.
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