Mayor takes Chicago police leaders to task amid questions on response to latest violent gathering of youths downtown
CHICAGO — Outgoing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot used a weekly meeting with police leaders Tuesday to demand answers for why officers seemingly struggled to control crowds of young people who gathered downtown over the weekend, damaging vehicles and leading to the circulation of viral videos of the chaos, sources familiar with the situation said.
The mayhem in the city’s tourism district late Saturday sparked renewed concern about the Chicago Police Department’s ability to handle crowds of teens and young adults who were captured on cellphone cameras blocking traffic and jumping atop a CTA bus.
Aldermen labeled the response “inadequate,” particularly given the warm weather and earlier impromptu youth gatherings including at 31st Street Beach.
Ald. Brian Hopkins, whose 2nd Ward stretches
