CHICAGO, IL - Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago created controversy Tuesday when he told journalists from the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ that he will authorize the city's board of education to end a $10.3 million contract with the Chicago Police Department. This, despite the fact that most violent crimes have hit decade-level spikes, with homicides being at near-record levels.
According to the Sun-Times, public school officials informed principals to prepare for the potential removal of the officers as soon as next autumn. During a press conference, Johnson told reporters, "The Board of Education is moving in the direction that I do support."
He added, "There is an intergovernmental agreement between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department. To end that agreement, there’s no qualms from me there."
The move by Chicago is popular with activist groups like Southside Together Organizing for Power or STOP Chicago which credited itself in a post to X with the policy change.
However, Johnson's decision has met with severe criticism from both sides of the aisle, with Milwaukee County retired Sheriff David A. Clarke opining in a post, "This guy is a buffoon. Most school districts that did this have reversed course and begged police to come back after experiencing an increase in violence in schools. Does this clown read news reports?"
Democrat Paul Vallas, the former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, who was defeated by Johnson in the runoff election for mayor, was similarly critical and slammed Johnson for placing children's lives at risk.
Vallas wrote, "Despite the third fatal shooting at a school dismissal in 2 weeks Mayor Johnson gives his school board of activists permission to remove remaining police from Chicago’s high schools. The Mayor shamelessly placating his anti cop supporters puts children at risk."
He continued, "Meanwhile, Mayor, CTU leadership, his City Council progressive, spend more time debating meaningless Gaza cease fire resolution than the youth crime pandemic. Murder of school age & by school age children see record increases as Chicago leads nation in youth crime."
In an op-ed for illinoispolicy.org advocating against the withdrawal, Vallas cited a study from The University of Chicago Crime Lab that reported a dramatic 50% increase in murders among school-age children since 2019.
At least two aldermen of Chicago also spoke out against the move, with Peter Chico stressing that some parents do not feel comfortable with a lack of police presence and wanted officers brought back to schools from which they've already been removed. Alderman Ruth Cruz told the outlet that a parent came to her with hands shaking because he was so fearful for his children.
According to the Sun-Times, public school officials informed principals to prepare for the potential removal of the officers as soon as next autumn. During a press conference, Johnson told reporters, "The Board of Education is moving in the direction that I do support."
He added, "There is an intergovernmental agreement between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department. To end that agreement, there’s no qualms from me there."
The move by Chicago is popular with activist groups like Southside Together Organizing for Power or STOP Chicago which credited itself in a post to X with the policy change.
However, Johnson's decision has met with severe criticism from both sides of the aisle, with Milwaukee County retired Sheriff David A. Clarke opining in a post, "This guy is a buffoon. Most school districts that did this have reversed course and begged police to come back after experiencing an increase in violence in schools. Does this clown read news reports?"
Democrat Paul Vallas, the former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, who was defeated by Johnson in the runoff election for mayor, was similarly critical and slammed Johnson for placing children's lives at risk.
Vallas wrote, "Despite the third fatal shooting at a school dismissal in 2 weeks Mayor Johnson gives his school board of activists permission to remove remaining police from Chicago’s high schools. The Mayor shamelessly placating his anti cop supporters puts children at risk."
He continued, "Meanwhile, Mayor, CTU leadership, his City Council progressive, spend more time debating meaningless Gaza cease fire resolution than the youth crime pandemic. Murder of school age & by school age children see record increases as Chicago leads nation in youth crime."
In an op-ed for illinoispolicy.org advocating against the withdrawal, Vallas cited a study from The University of Chicago Crime Lab that reported a dramatic 50% increase in murders among school-age children since 2019.
At least two aldermen of Chicago also spoke out against the move, with Peter Chico stressing that some parents do not feel comfortable with a lack of police presence and wanted officers brought back to schools from which they've already been removed. Alderman Ruth Cruz told the outlet that a parent came to her with hands shaking because he was so fearful for his children.
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Comments
2024-02-04T09:04-0500 | Comment by: DS
MEN............... the scourge of the EARTH !
2024-02-04T09:43-0500 | Comment by: Steve
Idiots. Feel terrible for those students who have adults that aren’t concerned about safety.
2024-02-04T16:55-0500 | Comment by: Michael
"The Mayor shamelessly placating his anti cop supporters puts children at risk." Risking the lives of children for political purposes. Whether guns, trans, or open borders is the topic, the results are the same. Sounds like a leftist Democrat to me. (And being criticized by some Democrats who have a little more common sense.)