CHICAGO —As summer approaches, mayors and police officials across the United States are implementing well-known tactics to address an anticipated increase in violent crime. These measures include increasing the visibility of police officers and fostering engagement with community groups. In some cases, civilian assistance is being sought to enforce curfews and maintain peace.
Chicago, in particular, is facing scrutiny after a mayoral race that focused on public safety in response to calls for change. Given that violence tends to surge during the summer months, Mayor Brandon Johnson's new administration will face heightened pressure this holiday weekend to demonstrate immediate progress, while also implementing long-term strategies that he advocated for as a former union organizer during his campaign to lead the country's third-largest city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the collective responsibility of the community, not just the police or city government, in ensuring peaceful and safe neighborhoods during a press conference held at the lakefront to promote Chicago's Memorial Day weekend strategy. Data collected by the Council on Criminal Justice indicates that most major US cities have reported a decrease in homicides this year, offering a tentative relief from the spikes witnessed in 2020 and subsequent decline last year.
Despite this improvement, the current totals still exceed pre-pandemic levels, prompting concern among experts. Thomas Abt, the founding director of the Center for the Study and Practice of Violence Reduction at the University of Maryland, highlights the importance of a balanced approach to tackling crime, which includes both policing and community-based initiatives focused on prevention and intervention.
Several cities, such as Cleveland, Newark, and Philadelphia, have announced plans for the summer that involve increasing police visibility in areas affected by violent crimes while also promoting community efforts and providing alternative activities. In Baltimore, curfew enforcement for teenagers during the summer months will be carried out by city officials rather than the police, a policy that has rarely been enforced in the past and has sparked controversy.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott expressed his concerns about the increase in youth violence in the city's popular Inner Harbor district, following an incident in April where two teenagers were injured during a gathering of hundreds of people. Mayor Scott announced the enforcement of curfews during the summer, stating that the city is reverting to previous practices. Despite a general decrease in shootings and homicides in Baltimore, there has been a notable rise in youth violence that continues to be a pressing issue, even as overall crime rates show a downward trend.
Under Mayor Scott's plan in Baltimore, non-law enforcement personnel will be responsible for addressing children and teenagers who violate the curfew policy on weekend and holiday nights. Initially, they will encourage the young individuals to go home, but if that approach fails, they will be taken to a supervised youth engagement center where they can spend time in a safe environment.
In Detroit, federal prosecutors are expanding their efforts to assist local police during the summer by taking on armed carjacking cases, business robberies in high-crime areas, and certain gun crimes. Federal convictions typically result in longer sentences. U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison announced that immediate prosecution in federal court will be pursued for the most dangerous offenders.
Following a series of shootings, including one fatality, that occurred over a single weekend in April in downtown Detroit, Police Chief James White implemented a crowd control strategy that involves an increased police presence. Additionally, curfew enforcement for minors will be implemented in the city.
Mayors in Chicago face annual pressure to address violent crime before Memorial Day, the start of summer events. Mayor Johnson aims to move away from a policing-focused approach while avoiding calls to defund the police. Chicago's homicide rate is lower than other Midwestern cities. Johnson's holiday weekend strategy involves increased police visibility and bag checks at crowded locations. Philanthropic groups support anti-violence organizations, and Illinois has authorized a team of peacekeepers for conflict de-escalation. Norman Livingston Kerr, an anti-violence advocate, is optimistic about the city and state's long-term commitment to violence prevention efforts.
Norman Livingston Kerr, an advocate for violence intervention, acknowledges that it may take time for people to witness the effectiveness of such efforts and develop trust in them. He emphasizes the importance of embracing the present and looking forward to a new day of progress.
Mayor Johnson has pledged to involve various community organizations in his administration's public safety strategy. During a recent presentation, he highlighted plans for basketball tournaments, neighborhood barbecues, and karaoke contests as part of these efforts.
Tamar Manasseh, the founder of Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings, has been actively working to prevent crime in a South Side intersection for almost a decade using a strategy called "positive loitering." This weekend, her organization has organized a neighborhood barbecue and other activities. Manasseh points to the success they have achieved by establishing a community center in a vacant lot, resulting in a significant drop in crime. She believes that similar positive changes can be replicated elsewhere.