Some Cook County officials today tried to help Chicago Mayor Richard Daley counter perceptions his administration is failing against violent crime.
Sheriff Tom Dart and State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez joined Daley today at a West Side press conference.
The mayor promised more police overtime to fight nighttime violence, more technology to predict crime hot spots, and more collaboration between law-enforcement agencies.
Daley said the city also needs more help from witnesses.
DALEY: This is their son or daughter, their brother or sister, lying there — seriously injured or killed — and they refuse.
Then Sheriff Dart lent his voice.
DART: It’s not a unique Chicago thing. In the suburbs, every week, we are getting case after case after case. We have nothing to take to the State’s Attorney’s office because we can’t get anybody to testify about anything — including the person who’s shot.
Police Supt. Jody Weis pointed out that Chicago’s homicide rate is near its lowest point in decades.
Originally reported by Chicago Public Radio. Read the original article here.