CPD's Gun Enforcement Mission Already Seeing Results
CHICAGO (CBS) – Chicago Police's gun enforcement project has already seen results in less than 24 hours.
Hundreds of local and federal investigators are combing Chicago's streets for drugs and guns. The anti-violence mission is focused on the city's South and West sides. CBS 2's Lauren Victory reports.
The mission is two weeks in the making. It began Friday night at 7 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend.
There is no undercover work. The FBI, Department of Homeland Security, DEA task forces, Illinois State Police and the Cook County Sheriff's Office are all helping Chicago Police in full uniform.
The mission is already seeing results. Police snatched an illegally owned gun from the 4800 block of Monroe early Saturday morning during a traffic stop. The location a few block from one of five command centers – posted in Gresham, West Garfield Park, Lawndale and South Austin.
They expect to have more weapon seizures throughout the weekend.
The focus on the South and West sides, 83rd to 87th, Roosevelt to 16th, Madison to Congress are a few key spots, which have been strategically chosen.
"One thing that we do every day is analyze the crime data in terms of where violent crime is occurring across the city," said Supt. Eddie Johnson. "So these areas that we've designated tonight is because of that fact. They've had a lot of violent crime going on in that area in the past few weeks."
Investigators are keeping their eyes on trained corners known for drug sales that often become crime scenes because of gang turf wars.
It is not all about arrests. CPD is working on what is called 'custom notifications.'
They are also visiting the homes of people police say are mixed up with the wrong crowd and offering resources to leave that way of life.
"Individuals that we have identified on the strategic subject list, that's not actual enforcement," Johnson said. "That's just going over there, knocking on their doors, let them know that we know what they're doing and we're offering services for them to get out of that particular lifestyle if they choose to."
Police plan to update CBS 2 on all their progress come Monday.
