The Chicago Police Department (CPD) is not known for their community building tactics, and their behavior this week does not help. Last week, they put
bait trucks - unlocked trucks full of Nike shoes meant to lure kids into stealing - right outside a basketball court where under priviledged kids play basketball. Three kids "took the bait" and were given felony charges.
Sign my petition to tell CPD to cut it out with this coercive tactic!Putting a bait truck in a poor neighborhood and then arresting three minors is the stupidest use of police capacity I can think of. The other group involved in the "sting" operation has
apologized and regrets their part in it. That's because violence in Chicago is out of control right now and at least part of the problem is that the community distrusts the police and will not cooperate.
I live in Chicago and I am really unhappy that my police force seems to think this kind of exploitative, entrapment-like operation is a good way to protect the community. It's not. Maybe they could actually build community relationships and then the community might help them solve the
95% of shootings that go unsolved here. Or maybe those resources could go into better training for officers on mental health issues, dealing with victims of trauma, and truly building relationships with the community. Not on trying to get more poor kids into jail.
CPD tried to act like they do this all over the city and it's no big deal. But I don't see that happening over here on the more affluent northwest side. It's only happening in poor south side cities and where kids are the targets!
Please sign my petition to tell CPD: No more bait trucks!