Chicago Sees Violent Memorial Day Weekend Despite Increased Police Presence

At least 42 people shot, five killed, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot kicks off her safety plan.The mayor made it clear that summer violence in Chicago is one of her main priorities. Her strategy to combat that violence is getting illegal guns off the streets. On Monday, at a Memorial Day ceremony at Grant Park, Lightfoot said the plan is to focus on gun traffickers and convicted felons who carry guns and also those who have revoked firearm ownership cards.Lightfoot says there are just too many illegal guns on the streets and it's too easy for anyone to get a gun.While Memorial Day weekend might be time to relax and enjoy time with the family, it's the busiest for the Chicago Police Department. Many officers had their days off canceled over Lightfoot and CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson's "flooding the zone plan", which consists of having an additional 1,200 officers out on the streets.This weekend, at least 42 people were shot, five of those victims were killed.Lightfoot wants Chicago to know that violence isn't just law enforcement's problem, it's a challenge for communities and everyone in city government also.

05/28/19 10:04AM