CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Advocates for defunding the Chicago Police Department are demanding at least some changes to reduce the violence plaguing Chicago neighborhoods this summer.
Tynetta Muhammad, with the BYP 100, addressed reporters outside the shuttered Parkman Elementary School on West 51st Street.
The group Defund CPD organized the news conference outside a shuttered public school, and across from what they called a “bustling” police station.
Veronica Ortiz from the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council said what’s needed to reduce rampant violence is more investment in communities and less in over-policing.
“Pumping more money into our police — it's not working. Taking money away from the crucial services that help our youth, that help our families, that build our communities — it's not working,” Ortiz said.
Damon Williams with Defund CPD admitted he’d like to see all funding for police terminated, but in practical terms his group wants much more investment in the neighborhoods. He said it could be paid for by "laying off cops."
And Williams said COVID-19 relief funds should NOT go to CPD or to banks.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward echoed the sentiments.
“What we need is relief. What we need is investment as we prepare for the young people, the youth, our future,” Sigcho-Lopez said.
The advocates are calling for more funding for life-affirming institutions, and less on boosting the number of officers patrolling the otherwise underserved neighborhoods.
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