The City of Chicago had the highest number of homicides from gun violence in 2022, more than any other city in the country. Reports show 340 were under age 30, 547 were under age 40; 536 were Black, 119 were Hispanic; 636 were Black males, according to the City of Chicago, Tribune. “Justice is what love looks like in public, just like tenderness is what love feels like in private,” stated Dr. Cornell West.
Upcoming Election
The upcoming Mayoral Runoff Election will focus on a lot of issues. With perhaps the greatest focus being on public safety and educational equality and opportunity. The debate rages between hiring more police to reallocate or committing additional resources to focus on community policing to increase community involvement in keeping the peace in local neighborhoods.
Let’s face it: the problem is complex and is not going to be solved with political platitudes and promises. The solution lies in a commitment by the entire population of Chicago. It’s within every person, corporation, social service agency, civil servant, and law enforcement personnel to engage in some soul-searching and soul-s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g.
Soul-searching Finding the Love
Soul-searching is necessary because our initial response to safety is to ‘circle the wagons’ and care only about ourselves and our families. Furthermore, soul-searching should ultimately draw us outward, not inward, seeking ways to not only protect ourselves but to create an environment where all can feel safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods. This is a time for everyone in Chicago, especially all who proudly proclaimed “Black Lives Matter” as a personal slogan, to put some actual action. It’s time for not just words. It’s time for understanding first how Black Lives continue to be diminished and destroyed by systemic racism. Furthermore, they’re diminished by a police/court and prison-industrial system that requires Black and brown bodies to fuel its ongoing profitability.
It requires addressing the inequities in public education, mental health access, livable and affordable housing, job training, and jobs for returning citizens and our young adults who see no options for gainful legal employment. There are forces that want these inequities to continue. Particularly to Chicago’s West Side, this has been true since the first Mayor Daley declared war on the West Side community and implemented a deliberate unwritten policy of disinvestment that continues even to this day.
Rare Kudos
I do offer rare kudos to Mayor Lightfoot for initiatives for investment and business growth on the westside. I applaud the plans for building affordable/livable housing for current community residents. But I am skeptical about how far we are willing to go to really educate and assist residents to move from rental to ownership. Of course, the fear — and unfolding reality — is that the West Side is ripe for re-gentrification. External powers will do everything in their power to assure that many current residents will be displaced. Will this solve the crime problem? Don’t bet on it.
There needs to be a strong commitment by the Chicago Police Department. They need to implement, test and monitor the required anti-bias, cultural competency, and de-escalation training. This has yet to be taken seriously, especially by the CPD old guard that prefers to maintain the status quo. As with any major reform necessary, this will require the citizens of Chicago to apply extreme political pressure. Additionally, it will take the power of the people to demand these pieces of training be taken seriously. If not, find police personnel truly committed to making the entirety of CPD reflect a regard for the sanctity of every human life.
CPD Attempts to Show Community Love
Furthermore, CPD brass needs to stop drawing officers from our poorer communities to police the safety of downtown properties and tourists. Commanders in districts like the 10th are adamant about wanting their officers to interact more on the streets and at neighborhood events with residents. However, this key way of building trust in the community continues to be thwarted by the ‘needs’ of downtown. Furthermore, they find themselves thwarted by the priority of protecting corporate properties and the lucrative tourist industry.
In the meantime, local neighbors need to step up and police their own neighborhoods — not with guns. They can do so with relationships and resources made available to fortify families and blocks and make “neighbor” more than just a location.
Again, this is a difficult task. So many parents are being stretched every day by the pressures of having to work multiple jobs. They worry about the safety and mental health of their own children. Additionally, they struggle to maintain their own physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Not to mention the financial pressures! Furthermore, the proliferation of legal and illegal firearms in these communities by the gun industry causes devastation. It’s also fueled by those politicians who worship at the altar of money built upon the devastation of human lives and families.
Public Safety for Community Love
Real public safety requires an “all hands on deck” approach from those willing to stretch their souls to humbly and generously offer their gifts. Those who already do this know that they are as mutually empowered in spirit, if not more. Additionally, this can be done by their sharing their gifts and talents with others. If those who have resources are truly open to sharing their gifts with people in our impoverished communities, they will benefit from coming to know resilience, perseverance, and passion for life. Additionally, they’ll know the true desire of every parent in our community to provide the best for their children. However, often lack the resources that provide stability.
Real public safety is rooted in relationships in tangible love that stretches the souls of those who can offer the basic resources of real kinship. It stretches the souls and enlivens the spirits of those with whom they build kinship. Ultimately, it enriches the souls of everyone, from individuals to families to entire communities and beyond. Public safety requires public engagement. Including engagement of the holy trinity of social change, mind, heart, and guts!
By Fr. Larry Dowling
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Inventorchris‘ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Inventorchris‘ Flickr Page Creative Commons License
