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CPD launches probe into failed downtown violence response

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* Background is here if you need it. Jake Sheridan at the Tribune…

The Chicago Police Department launched an investigation into how officers responded to violence that broke out late Saturday during a large gathering of young people in the city’s downtown tourism district.

The investigation comes after a viral video showed a mob attacking a couple as they exited a Loop store and it follows allegations of police inaction. […]

As the attack dragged on, police cars passed. Dennis and others called 911 to no avail. As the fifth police car passed, [Lenora Dennis] stopped in front of the cruiser and put her hands up, motioning that she needed the officers’ help, she said.

“And the police officer locked eyes with me, cut a pass right around me, and kept going,” Dennis said.

That’s when she decided to directly intervene. The Englewood resident walked over to the crowd, which she said consisted of around 80 teens, and yelled at them. After they exchanged words with her, they eventually ran off, she said. […]

Police sources told the Tribune that there were no officers downtown who held a rank above lieutenant for much of the night, which prohibited the officers who were present from requesting more officers to assist.

Emphasis added.

…Adding… Ms. Dennis also posted an account to Instagram…

In the 45 years, I’ve lived in this city and ALL of the things I’ve seen AND experienced living on every side of this city. Last night was one of the most DISGUSTING, DEPRESSING, RIDICULOUS displays I have ever witnessed. I watched a mob of hooligan’s attack and viciously BEAT an interracial couple on Wabash, I watched several, at least 5, police cars drive by while this attack was in progress. I watched teenage children jump on the hoods of people’s cars, smashing windshields and causing several thousands of dollars of property damage.

The desk sergeant at the 1st District told me to MY face that this is happening because @Brandon4Chicago was elected and he IS the wrong person to get a handle on this situation. I felt like I was watching the city devolve into complete and utter chaos like the Joker was finna pop on the scene.

PARENTS, UNCLES, AUNTS, BROTHERS, SISTERS, COUSINS…Is this 👆🏾your relative(s)? Is this your ward out here…randomly assailing people in the streets? Was your child downtown yesterday?

I’m all for getting to the ROOT cause of the problem but right now, we are going to have to do something swift and immediate…possibly civil right infringing to get this 👆🏾under control.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 3:33 pm

Comments

If they didn’t have anyone above a lieutenant maybe they should create a rank between lieutenant and captain to fill in at times like this. Call it a corporal captain.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3cuP6ueVJhM

Comment by Notorious JMB Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 3:50 pm
= there were no officers downtown who held a rank above lieutenant for much of the night, which prohibited the officers who were present from requesting more officers to assist. =

This makes absolutely no sense. I understand that there must be a chain of command, but to prohibit officers who see violence happening and see a need for more assistance from asking for that assistance is just plain nuts.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 3:59 pm
So a cop in distress can’t call in and ask for help? Either that’s a complete lie or CPD is even more screwed up than I thought.

Comment by New Day Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:00 pm
Sorry for the duplicate.

Comment by New Day Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:00 pm
Dennis is very brave. She had no way of knowing that the crowd wouldn’t turn on her.

Comment by Big Dipper Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:04 pm
The incompetence is mind blowing. How much are these people (top CPD brass) making?

Comment by low level Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:12 pm
===(top CPD brass) making? ===

I dunno, but command and control are non-existent. CPD management has been in steep decline for years (occasionally chronicled here), and now it appears to have fallen off a cliff.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:15 pm
DCFS and IDOC on the State side and CPD on the city side. I hate to say it, but is it time to privatize some or all of it?

Comment by Appears Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:21 pm
“There were no officers downtown who held a rank above lieutenant for much of the night, which prohibited the officers who were present from requesting more officers to assist”

I’m sorry, but were they unable to radio for help? This sounds like malicious compliance.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:25 pm
Anon @ 4:25 is me.

Comment by Politix Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:25 pm
==there were no officers downtown who held a rank above lieutenant==

And have no means of communication until Monday morning…no ROVER, cell or home phone. C’mon (exclamation point)

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:27 pm
The more we find out, the more this disaster looks like it should be placed at CPD’s feet, not any politician’s.

==Dennis is very brave.==

Give this woman the key to the city!

“Black woman from South Side saves passersby when cops refuse to do anything” is a tough story for Fox News and company to digest.

Comment by Benjamin Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:37 pm
I think this shows that Chicago voter made the right choice in choosing Johnson. Why should the city continue to spend more tax money on officers who do nothing to combat crime. Can’t arrest people breaking the law right in front of them, won’t respond to people begging for help, can’t pick up a radio, can’t request administrative support, etc.. No serious entity can operate this poorly without malice being involved. Basically it’s extortion. If you don’t vote for our guy we are gonna let these streets burn

Comment by Stormsw7706 Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:38 pm
== That’s when she decided to directly intervene. The Englewood resident walked over to the crowd, which she said consisted of around 80 teens, and yelled at them. After they exchanged words with her, they eventually ran off, she said. […]==

You mean to tell me this woman, saw an angry mob of violent thugs actually attacking people (not merely knocking on a front door, or pulling into the wrong driveway) and inserted herself into that situation to eliminate the threat, and she didn’t need an AK or an AR or any sort gun to do so?

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:42 pm
@Appears: A big chunk of the problems with DCFS is because of past privatization efforts. Their reliance on private facilities means they can’t force certain things to happen.

Comment by Homebody Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 4:44 pm
Ms. Dennis from Englewood had the stones to get involved when sworn officers didn’t. Thank goodness.

Her analysis of the issue is spot on as well.

Comment by low level Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 5:24 pm
Elections have consequences. The decline of this great city has officially begun.

Comment by ChicagoVoter Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 8:39 pm
===Elections have consequences. The decline of this great city has officially begun.===

Going back to the “Daley Days” in 2023 wasn’t the answer when you have Bailey types along for the ride.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 9:22 pm
==The decline of this great city has officially begun.==

And by that you mean sworn officers have decided to abandon their responsibilities?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Apr 20, 23 @ 10:13 pm
This smells of the petulant election-eve threats made by pro-Valas folks in the Fraternal Order to me. If they are caught at this game they should be demoted or fired. The city can’t afford cops who are passive -aggressive children.

Comment by Give Us Barabbas Friday, Apr 21, 23 @ 2:44 am
==Elections have consequences.==

Yes, all the past elections have led us to this point. The election we just had hasn’t impacted anything as those people haven’t been sworn in yet.

Comment by supplied_demand Friday, Apr 21, 23 @ 7:55 am
= DCFS and IDOC on the State side and CPD on the city side. I hate to say it, but is it time to privatize some or all of it? =

The parking meters were “privatized” and now that costs 2,3, 4x as much. So yeah, lets privatize the police. Could we build the Chicago NFL Football team another stadium at taxpayer expense while we’re at it?

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 21, 23 @ 10:18 am