The Chicago Police Department is gearing up for spring break in the city today for more than 400,000 Chicago Public Schools students.
The Chicago Police Department is gearing up for spring break in the city today for more than 400,000 Chicago Public Schools students. On Thursday, police officials and the head of CPS, Ron Huberman, held a news conference to outline efforts to help stem violence during the break and give youth something to do. “This break provides a wonderful opportunity for students and their parents to visit their neighborhood library, participate in community events or visit museums and parks,” Police Supt. Jody Weis said at the news conference. “Our goal is to make spring break as enjoyable as possible. Unfortunately, spring break is also a time when a small percentage of young people choose to engage in various illegal activities. For those looking to cause trouble, my message is simple: We will be ready.” Weis said CPD has formed a close partnership with CPS since Huberman was named school CEO. Huberman is a former Chicago police officer and Weis is a former FBI agent. The superintendent also said that curfew would be heavily enforced during the break. For students under 17 years old, the city’s curfew is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Weis noted that from January to mid-March, six children under age 16 were shot during curfew hours. During that same time period, 120 incidents involving firearms occurred. For its part, CPS has organized activities at several schools for students. The Spring into Sports program runs April 4-10 and features sports competitions, demonstrations and recreational activities including archery, badminton, basketball, and track and field. The program will run at four CPS high schools: Crane Tech Prep school, 2245 W. Jackson Blvd.; Little Village/Lawndale High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave.; Orr High School, 730 N. Pulaski Road; and Englewood High School, 6201 S. Stewart Ave. However, only students who live in the Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Douglas Grand Boulevard, North Kenwood-Oakland, East Garfield, Englewood, Humboldt Park, Little Village (South Lawndale), Logan Square, North Lawndale, Pilsen (Lower West Side), South Chicago, Washington Park, West Haven or Woodlawn may participate. Weis said students from these communities were targeted because these communities are typically more at-risk for violence. Students interested in volunteering or signing up for these events must register by e-mailing springintosports@lisc.org or calling one of the four host community coordinators: Students living in Near West and West Side neighborhood: Call Oji Eggleston at 312-738-2280 or 773-677-6688. Students living in The Little Village/Lawndale neighborhood: Call Jaime deLeon at 773-542-9233 extension 19. Students living in the Orr High School neighborhood: Call Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp. at 773-278-5569. Students living in the Englewood neighborhood: Call Rev. Rodney Walker at 773-602-4508. ______ Copyright 2009 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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