CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Near North Side residents and activists are frustrated and fearful after Thursday's mass shooting ravaged their neighborhood and they now believe the city needs federal assistance.
"Any politician who says, 'defund the police,' would be thrown out of office. We need more policemen," said resident Angel Correa.
Correa said that current city and county leadership don't appear to account for his concerns about public safety. He said he wants a significant increase in police presence, especially at the corner of Chicago and State, where 9 people were shot, 2 fatally. He is joined by other community members who believe it is going to take a lot more to combat violent crime in the city.
"Nobody is doing nothing to stop it. It's like a wild, wild west in this town, and we need some help" activist Frank Cocanate said.
He shares a growing community sentiment that not only should the Illinois State Police be helping out, but also the National Guard, and he wants the city's violent crime to be on one leader's radar in particular.
"...Lawless in this town. We are scared in this town, we need help. We'd love the president to come and see this. Come at night and see what's going on in this town," said Cocanate.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
