Chicago City Wire

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing mounting criticism about her new anti-violence initiative with some saying it is nothing more than a reelection gimmick.

With voters slated to go to the polls for the mayoral election in February, some police sources are openly questioning the timing of Chicago Police Department's (CPD) new crime prevention initiative given that crime has long been a major issue across much of the state, according to a news article by WGN9.

In light of the allegations, Lightfoot denies being the originator of the anti-violence initiative.

The mayor said she played no role in creating the new initiative and that Police Superintendent David Brown and his leadership team are responsible for putting the so-called Crime Prevention Community Engagement Program together and instituting it in neighborhoods of need, the article said on Saturday, Jan. 14.

“I think it’s a good thing that the white shirts are out there leading by example and talking to community members about what resources are available for them, particularly focused on crime,” she said in the article.

Yet, Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara is skeptical and sees the new initiative as tied to the election.

While CPD, in its only comment, said the program is important to strengthen communication with residents and make neighborhoods safer, some like Catanzara said they are being used to paint the picture Lightfoot wants voters to see as election day approaches, the article said.