A Feb. 6 editorial, ”Time to take a new tack on crime,” numerous Op-Ed pieces and many letters to the editor over the past six months all make the same point: policing in Chicago needs to move in a new direction towards implementing a community policing program.
A pro-active, problem-solving approach to address the complicated issues surrounding criminal policing, currently being tried in New York City, Boston and Seattle, is one approach that merits serious consideration.
Community policing is based on the premise that individual incidents to which police respond are usually related to larger, ongoing problems within a neighborhood. The police and community work together to analyze problems and set priori-ties. Police and neighborhood residents use skills and infor-mation obtained from the neigh-borhood to implement strategies that will solve problems.
The upcoming appointment of a new police superintendent provides the vehicle for Chicago to move towards community policing. I hope those involved in the selection process will take full advantage of this rare opportunity for Chicago residents.
