Crime & Law
Federal Prosecutors Expanding Violence Prevention Initiative to Downtown Chicago, All CTA Train Lines
The Dirksen Courthouse is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois)
Federal authorities are expanding a violence prevention initiative that had previously existed solely in portions of Chicago’s South and West sides to now include the downtown area and all CTA train lines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois on Wednesday announced the expansion of its Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which combines the efforts of federal, state and local authorities to help stem violent crime.
The nationwide program, first launched in 2001, had only operated in seven Chicago neighborhoods — South Chicago, Gresham, Englewood, Deering, Ogden, Harrison and Austin.
But it will now include portions of three downtown police districts encompassing shopping corridors, beaches and landmarks. The program will also extend across all CTA train lines throughout the city — marking the first time Project Safe Neighborhoods will be deployed on a mass transit system.
“Many billions of dollars of revenue, taxes, and investments are anchored in our city’s financial districts,” interim U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said in a statement, “and when violence and criminal activity cause our residents, businesses and tourists not to feel safe to live, invest and shop in Chicago, everyone suffers, whether at the federal, state, or local level.”
Newly announced Project Safe Neighborhoods enforcement zone (U.S. Attorney's Office)
The new enforcement zone being added to the Project Safe Neighborhoods program will extend from Division Street on the Near North Side between Lake Michigan and La Salle Drive to I-55 between Clark Street and Lake Michigan on the Near South Side. It will also extend west to Ogden and Ashland avenues, between Grand Avenue and I-290.
According to the feds, enforcement in those areas will focus on the investigation and prosecution of offenses including illegal firearm possession, drug trafficking, robberies, carjackings and other violent crimes.
Boutros’ office said those arrested on those types of charges will face “appropriate charges to achieve maximum deterrence and will seek pretrial detention and substantial prison sentences for defendants who pose a danger to the community.”
“Partnership and collaboration with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners are vital in reducing violence and making Chicago safer for all,” Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a statement. “Project Safe Neighborhoods reflects this spirit of collaboration and serves as an important tool in addressing crime in one of the busiest areas of our city. The expansion of this program builds on the progress CPD is making in combating crime citywide.”
