Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel isn’t backing down from the gangs who have waged a bloody war in his streets, as he calls out all those who specifically target children and outlines specific measures to cut down on the horrific violence that has consistently plagued the city.
STORY: Just Staggering! Homicides In Chicago Increase 38 Percent
In an interview with CBS Evening News, Emanuel spoke on the ongoing violence in his city:
“Chicago’s street thugs are going to attack each other, they should take their fight away from innocent children.
We’ve got two gangbangers, one standing next to a kid. Get away from that kid. Take your stuff away to the alley. Don’t touch the children of the city of Chicago.
Don’t get near them, and it is about values. As I said then when a 7-year-old girl was shot and killed last month, who raised you? How were you raised?
And I don’t buy this case where people say they don’t have values. They do have values. They have the wrong values. Don’t come near the kids don’t touch them.”
According to CNS News, at the time of their interview, Pelley put the number of murders in Chicago at 275 so far this year, up 30 percent from a year ago. On Monday alone, nine young people were shot in suspected gang-related violence.
On Monday, Emanuel announced a new effort to “identify, secure and in some cases demolish vacant buildings,” in order to stop gangs from using them as gathering places.
The city said it will spend $4 million to demolish as many as 200 vacant and crumbling buildings located in high-crime areas.
Structurally sound buildings used as gang hangouts will be boarded up and eventually put to good use.
The city also has created a “watch list” of businesses, such as convenience stores and liquor stores, that attract gang members and illegal activity.
Of the 37 businesses on the watch list, 18 have been cited for various violations and are now having their licenses reviewed, the mayor’s office said. One of the 18 stores, AM Dollar, had its license revoked last week and will be shuttered. Four liquor stores also have been shut down.
A beautiful sentiment, but more needs to be done to combat the violence in Chicagoland. It has literally become a war zone.
