Chicago City Wire

Following a three-day Memorial Day weekend where at least 64 people were shot, 11 fatally, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is preaching patience in slowing the violence.

"If we're gonna get ourselves out of this rut, it's gonna take all of us," Johnson said. "But if anyone tells you that they can single-handedly shift the political mindset that has led to the type of disinvestment that is causing the outbreak of the violence we are all experiencing, if any one person says they can do that, they're not being honest."

NBC Chicago 5 reported Johnson’s plan for public safety is increasing mental health treatment, hiring detectives and community outreach.

Johnson conceded that relief won't come any time soon, adding "Forty days into my administration, as I said, we're awfully aware of what I've inherited, and what I've inherited has been systems of failures."

According to WGN 9, Alderwoman Roassanna Rodriquez said police are often called in for situations that may not pose an immediate threat such as dealing with an individual with mental health issues.

Johnson made his comments while attending a South Side event highlighting the Mellon Foundation's donation of nearly $7 million to establish eight historical memorials across the city. 

“I’m proud of the public safety coalition we’ve brought together because creating safe communities will take all of us – police, city departments and agencies, business, philanthropy, community partners, and all the people of Chicago,” Johnson’s team said, according to The Trace.

Johnson took to office on May 15 after defeating Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the Feb. 28 election, then knocking off former Chicago School Board head Paul Vallas in a runoff election.