CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Philanthropist James Crown, with the Commercial Club of Chicago, had only recently announced that local businesses would make a major commitment toward eradicating violence in the city — when he was killed in a tragic accident.
Garien Gatewood, the City's deputy mayor for community safety, said the Johnson Administration welcomed Crown’s commitment.
“We actually met with Jim Crown and a group from the Civic Committee the week before he met his tragic demise,” Gatewood said. “We send our condolences out to the Crown family and the Chicago community overall.”
The Commercial Club has promised that Crown’s plan will still go forward, though. Gatewood said the club is not only committed at a financial level, but that the club will be involved as a “thought partner” with the City as it moves the anti-violence plan forward.
“One of the big commitments they made was to really think about how they scale community violence intervention work,” he said. “Even with the scaling of that work, they’ve made commitments on how they’re building resources and how they’re building long-term employment opportunities on the South and West Sides.”
As some advocates say, the best way to stop a bullet is with a job.
On another topic, Gatewood said Mayor Brandon Johnson will not be rushed as he decides who will next lead the Chicago Police Department.
He said Johnson has not yet interviewed the three finalists for police superintendent — whose names were submitted to him this month —but he will.
“The process is going to continue with the mayor having time to talk to all of the candidates,” Gatewood said. “He believes it’s important to talk to folks. He can really get a better sense of what their vision is for the city and how it aligns with the work that we’ll be doing. We will take the time that’s needed to make sure we get the right person.”
Gatewood had nothing but praise for the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which did the screening and selected the finalists.
“They created massive reports,” he said. “They’ve had so much community engagement around the city to really listen to what the community said …. The characteristics that they want to see in a leader, and what we need to help move the city forward.”
Meanwhile, Fred Waller continues as interim superintendent.
Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood was the guest on WBBM’s “At Issue” program, which airs every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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