Dick Durbin, Barack Obama Push DOJ for Federal Resources to Combat Gang Violence in Chicago

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response to a request from U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL), Deputy Attorney General Mark Filip today announced the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s intention to hold an anti-gang training program this summer in Chicago, Illinois as a component of the Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Chicago gang graffiti: Photo by Samuel A. Love (CC)

Additionally, in today's meeting, Durbin pressed Filip for a greater commitment from DOJ and reiterated his request for Chicago to be included in the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative which would devote more federal resources to Chicago.

"I am encouraged by the Justice Department's recognition that the recent increase in Chicago gang violence warrants increased federal action, but it is not enough," said Durbin. "With fewer resources this year, Illinois agencies have been struggling to increase their anti-gang enforcement. Inclusion in the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative would give Chicago access to federal funding for critical enforcement, prevention and intervention programs."

"Chicago continues to experience some of the country's highest rates of gang violence, and we must do everything we can to make our neighborhoods safe again," said Senator Obama. "With so many gang-related shootings this year alone, there is no question that Chicago must be a top priority for the Department of Justice's anti-gang initiative. Today's announcement of an anti-gang training program is a welcome development, but we must do more. Senator Durbin and I will continue to work to ensure Chicago receives the resources it needs to end the violence and keep our children safe."

The Anti-Gang Training program - part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods - was launched earlier this year to provide state and local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies the tools necessary to recognize and identify gang presence in a community. The goal of the regional training is to improve the level of knowledge, communication and collaboration involved in addressing the criminal gang issue impacting communities throughout the nation. This training - free of charge to the city and the hundreds of officers and prosecutors that the program can accommodate - has been or will be offered regionally throughout the United States in twelve different cities.

The Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative is a key component of DOJ's anti-gang strategy and is designed to support law enforcement combating violent gang crime, while also promoting prevention efforts that discourage gang involvement. The Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative complements existing Department of Justice programs to combat gangs and reduce gun-related crime throughout the country. Created in 2006, the program's goal is to enhance gang prevention, enforcement, and anti-recidivism efforts. To date, ten metropolitan regions have benefitted from the program with $2.5 million each for anti-gang efforts. On April 28, Durbin and Obama asked for a meeting with Justice Department officials to discuss including the Chicago metropolitan area in the Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative.

In recent weeks, the Chicago area has seen an alarming increase in gang-related shootings and violence. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that as the weather warms, gang violence will remain elevated. In April 2006, DOJ released the results of its latest National Youth Gang Center survey, which indicated that over half of all homicides in Chicago were considered to be gang-related. Los Angeles was the only other city in which gang activity accounted for such a high percentage of the city's homicides.

Source: Senator Barack Obama

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •