12th Police District Council Optimistic About New Era of Public Safety in Chicago
Date:
September 23, 2024
On behalf of the 12th Police District Council, we are filled with optimism as we enter a new chapter in Chicago’s public safety history, with the cancellation of the contract between the city and SoundThinking—also known as ShotSpotter for the name of their gunshot detection technology. We are deeply grateful to the alderpeople who stood together to take this important step forward, and to Mayor Johnson for his leadership in guiding us toward a more community-centered approach to safety. We also recognize and appreciate the thoughtful dialogue that took place among all city leaders, and we are hopeful that this spirit of collaboration will continue as we work together to explore more effective, equitable solutions to public safety.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated community organizers who have spent countless hours informing and engaging with Chicago residents over the years. We are particularly thankful for their push to collect the petitions that resulted in the hearing on acoustic gunshot detection technology held by the Community Commission for Public Safety (CCPSA) on February 8th. Their tireless efforts have been crucial in keeping our communities informed and engaged. A special thank you is due to Nate Palmer, who spoke on behalf of the StopShotSpotter campaign at the hearing, giving voice to the hard work and commitment that has shaped this moment.
As representatives of the 12th District, we understand that public safety looks different for everyone, especially in a district and city as diverse as ours. We want to encourage all residents to engage with your District Councilors to discuss alternative approaches to public safety, such as forming block clubs, setting up phone trees, or organizing “Light Up the Night” events. By working together and partnering with the local nonprofits and volunteer groups who are already making a difference, we can create safer and better-connected communities. We also encourage you to work with your District Councilors to ensure proper and timely police responses when needed, fostering a balance between community-based initiatives and responsible policing.
While we may have different ideas about the best approaches to public safety, we can all agree on one thing: we want to feel safe walking through our neighborhoods, enjoying our beautiful parks, taking late-night bike rides or while doing any other activity in our communities. This is the Chicago we all deserve, and it’s a future we can build together through proper discourse.