DEMAND TO CITY and STATE LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE

  1. Chicago Sun Times: Pfleger calls for increased witness protections...
Chicago Sun Times: Pfleger calls for increased witness protections and anonymity in murder cases “We have to do something more than just taking away days off from police officers, who are already stressed out in this city,” Pfleger said Tuesday as he demanded a number of reforms to stem violence. By Mitch Dudek Dec 7, 2021, 1:59pm CST

Download the PDF: pdfDemand to City and State Leadership to Address Violence

Last week Cook County surpassed 1,000 homicides for the 1st time since 1994. Black people make up 81% of homicide victims and Latinos make up nearly 15%. Three quarters of these homicides 777 have been in Chicago, at least 4,105 people have been shot in Chicago, and while we hear Daily reports on Covid, the city was silent about the blood in our streets.

According to an analysis of Chicago Police Department Data done by the University of Chicago Crime Lab and published in the Chicago Tribune* the homicide rate among Black Chicagoans is the highest it has ever been.

Thus, we are demanding that the following requests be addressed:

  1. Solve the homicide cases. A great deterrent to stopping someone from shooting is to know you will be caught. In Chicago you are likely not to be caught. On November 9th, Dennis Zheng was murdered in Hyde Park. The killer was apprehended in 24 hours and the mayor and police superintendent met with businesses, community residents, and schools. We applaud this response. We just want this to be the norm for all homicides in Chicago not the exception. Black Lives Matter.

  2. Allow residents who are able to testify to do so anonymously. Fear is a great deterrent for people to testify. Research done by Winston and Strawn Law Firm shows that historically and legally this can happen. We want the State’s Attorney’s office to begin to implement this as soon as possible.

  3. We also want the city to work with CHA to provide relocation vouchers to people who testify so that they can make use of relocation if necessary.

  4. We want safety and protection for witnesses to homicides and a streamlined process for engagement with the investigation and trial process.

  5. We demand an increase to detective staffing so they can handle the alarming number of cases. Also, increase resources for Chicago Police Officers for mental health. The Chicago Police Department has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.
  6. We want to assign an Assistant State’s Attorney to homicide divisions in districts or areas with high rates of homicide in the Chicago Police Department which would allow them to gain knowledge of the areas and develop relationships with patrols, specialized units and detectives.

  7. Stop declining prosecution for non-fatal shootings.

  8. Develop a cold case task force of Federal and State law enforcement agencies focused on solving and bringing charges for past homicide cases.

  9. Improve resources for forensic evidence, improve access to state DNA and Ballistics Lab, and support for area technology centers, as well as improved resources to analyze cell phones and social media posts.

  10. End the tale of two cities. Provide the jobs, mental health counseling, housing, opportunities and access to young brothers and sisters to give them something positive to give their lives to.

We cannot wonder why people are exiting Chicago, if you have a black or brown child you are concerned for their safety and very life.

We want the City of Chicago to immediately make violence a top priority! You can’t get a vaccine or booster if you’re not alive.

STATEMENT FROM REV. MICHAEL L. PFLEGER, PASTOR OF SAINT SABINA