City leaders, community members, want a Department of Gun Violence Prevention

City Hall Urged To Create Gun Violence Prevention Department

After another violent weekend in Chicago, a coalition of anti-violence advocates are saying the City needs to do better.

Community leaders and politicians gathered on the third floor of City Hall on Monday morning, saying Chicago needs a Department of Gun Violence Prevention.

Far South Side Alderman Ronnie Mosley said, "violence reduction cannot be treated as a temporary initiative dependent upon grants and changing priorities or political cycles. It must become a permanent commitment made by government."

Artinese Myrick is Deputy Director with Live Free Illinois, and told reporters, "our goal for this at least $100 million towards the office through the coordination of the public safety funds that are here already."

Those pushing for The Department of Gun Violence Prevention hope City Council will approve creation of the office in the coming months.

Reverend Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Executive Director of Live Free Illinois, said stopping gun violence "must be embedded into the fabric of how this city operates."

Beth Brown, Pastor at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, said the Department would make life much easier for Chicago Police, saying "I believe they (police) will be a willing partner in this."