Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis on Saturday unveiled a citywide gang-enforcement strategy to root out crime in gang-infested neighborhoods and reduce the city’s soaring homicide rate.
Leo Schmitz, the Police Department’s acting commander of gang investigations, will lead a gang enforcement unit of about 400 officers who will target violent neighborhoods where gang activity occurs. Putting the gang-response units under a central command is a critical part of the restructuring because warfare often crosses jurisdictional lines, Weis said.
The new organization will allow for a quicker exchange of information and resources and enable officers to better target neighborhoods where gangs are prevalent, Weis said.
“All city gang teams will fall under one leader, creating a leaner, more agile operation,” he said, calling gang activity the most serious threat in Chicago.
BY THE NUMBERS
Some facts and figures about gangs in the Tribune
75,000
Estimated gang members in Chicago, Weis said
50%
Killings in Chicago attributed to gangs
474
Homicides in Chicago so far this year
20
Spike in homicides from 2007
