Mayor Confident Police Will Handle Mob Attacks, Rise In Gang Violence
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel was trying to reassure the public that Chicago Police are moving quickly to stop the kind of mob attacks which occurred this past weekend, as well as the spike in gang violence this year.
The mayor said he's talked with Police Supt. Garry McCarthy about doing what's necessary to stop the mob attacks downtown, and gang violence wherever it occurs, to make sure the streets are safe.
"We're going to make sure that – it's not just Michigan Avenue – I want it in every part of the city. I want to make sure that our kids can again reclaim the streets, and our lawful citizens," he said. "I will not rest until it happens."
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore Reports
Podcast
Emanuel said police successfully cracked down on mob attacks last summer, and will do so again.
"We have a beautiful city, and like every city, we have things that we have to do, and we won't rest until every part of the city experiences the city that I think comes with being a resident of the city of Chicago," he said. "We have a beautiful city that I want our residents to enjoy, and I want also our tourists to enjoy."
Last year, undercover police officers rode CTA trains to identify potential troublemakers before attacks occurred.
At an unrelated event in Little Village, the mayor was asked how the city will get the latest problems under control.
"What it means is working with our pastors, working with our principals, working with our neighborhood watch groups, our Police Department, and making sure we're doing things in a proactive way," Emanuel said.
He said he's confident McCarthy will deal with this year's rise in gang violence, as well as the recent mob attacks in and near downtown.
