Public safety advocates: We're all in this together

Key measurements of violent crime in 2022 compared to the same measures at this point in 2021 show overall public safety in Chicago has increased this year. Still, some public safety advocates fear an increase in crime-related anxiety and fatigue among the people of Chicago.

With the tragic teen shooting in Millennium Park in May still fresh in Chicago’s collective memory, there’s a concern among safety advocates that Chicagoans remain on edge. The sentiment is reflected in the tightening of curfew restrictions by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago’s City Council after the incident this spring.

Still, overall, violent crime is down in 2022 and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is pointing to improvements. Across the city, “shootings are down 17 percent and homicides are down 7 percent,” said Superintendent David O. Brown at a media event last month. Across the top 55 beats in the city, where more than half of the city’s violent crime is concentrated, homicides are down 26 percent and shootings down 34 percent, he said.

There’s a lot that can be done to sustain the trend.

“We live in a complex social matrix where we depend more on each other than we realize,” said Craig Kaiser, founder of the community group Streeterville Neighborhood Advocates. Kaiser advocates for community involvement in public safety. “Creating crimes of opportunity makes it easier for would-be thieves. If a crime is not reported, thieves become emboldened. See something, say something,” he said.

“If You See Something, Say Something” is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the indicators of terrorism, terrorism-related crime, and domestic violent extremism, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) supports the campaign and encourages residents and visitors to “report any suspicious objects, persons or any unusual activity by calling ‘911’ immediately or to notify security personnel on-site.”

Businesses can do the same as residents in keeping our communities safe, notes Kaiser. They should educate themselves about what is happening in the community and be engaged in neighborhood safety programs. Assuring a safe environment including cameras and working with law enforcement also helps. Having a no confrontation policy and failing to report crimes allows crime to go unanswered and feeds the problem.

Deborah Gershbein, President of SOAR, Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, is also a strong proponent of street-level strategies and community involvement in addressing public safety concerns.

“We are all in this together and need to support one another,” she said when speaking about SOAR’s work with other Chicago community organizations.

SOAR has worked closely with the CPD's 18th District and Aldermen Brendan Reilly and Brian Hopkins, in advocating for public safety. Both have responded by sponsoring several ordinances increasing security cameras and license plate readers for motorcycle noise and drag racing offenders in the neighborhood.

SOAR also publishes and distributes safety tips to residents, including how to avoid being a victim of a crime or a carjacking. The group will host a public safety seminar for residents July 28 with the CPD's 18th District Commander and his staff of officers and detectives.

Those interested in getting more involved in community public safety can also attend meetings for “CAPS,” the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy. The group is a partnership bringing together local police and community members for frank and open discussions around neighborhood safety issues. The next meeting for Streeterville in District 18 is July 28. 

Gershbein recommends a number of ways for residents to become active in improving public safety: 

• Become a Court Advocate for your neighborhood

• Sign up to represent your neighborhood when a criminal offender comes to trial

• Encourage your building managers to install exterior security cameras connected to the OEMC to aid in solving area crimes

• Sign up for “Notify Chicago” to receive important city information texted directly to your phone

At the city level, Mayor Lightfoot announced in May a new app,My Chi My Future,  developed to connect Chicago youth with learning, jobs and other personally enriching activities. The app encourages young people to connect with “a variety of rich, engaging, safe, and youth-centered out-of-school experiences that empower them to discover and cultivate their talents, passions, skills, and identities,’ according to their site.

“If we don't do our part individually, there is no reason to expect change in our community,” Kaiser said. “We need to be collectively engaged to secure our environment, demand accountability from elected officials and police and work collectively to ensure that everyone is safe.”

To find out more about meetings for the 18th district, contact SOAR at (312) 280-2596.