Chicago City Wire

Amid concerns over a series of armed robberies near the University of Chicago campus, some students and residents are expressing apprehension about public safety, highlighting the contrast with their previous calls to abolish the university's police force.

While the campus had previously seen demands for police reform and budget reduction, the recent crime wave has raised questions about safety measures and the need for a campus police presence.

“This article is from 2020. UChicago students wanted its campus police force abolished. Today they are voicing concerns about crime and public safety,” Safe Suburbs PAC said on X where it linked to a Block Club Chicago story.

The article notes in 2020 University of Chicago students, along with allies, conducted a 19-hour sit-in at the University of Chicago Police Department headquarters, demanding reforms and the eventual abolition of the university's police force.

Organized by the student-led CareNotCops campaign, the demonstration called for a reduction of the police department's budget, a ban on the use of force, full budget disclosure, and a plan to disband the UCPD by 2022.

The protesters cited concerns about racial disparities in policing and emphasized the need to redirect funds toward community-driven projects and organizations advocating for social services, such as Black Youth Project 100 and Assata's Daughters.

The demonstration came in the context of broader nationwide protests against police funding and practices.

Chicago police are currently investigating a series of armed robberies near the University of Chicago campus, with at least seven incidents reported this month.

The victims have been approached by groups of male offenders who demand wallets, cellphones, and passcodes before fleeing in a vehicle, leading to increased concern and vigilance among students and residents in the area.

Daniel Schmidt, a student at the University of Chicago, took to social media to express his concerns about the safety of the institution, noting that in just four days, at least 10 students have reportedly fallen victim to gunpoint muggings.

“UChicago, where I'm a student, has become completely unsafe. This is one of the best universities in the world, yet at least 10 students have been mugged at gunpoint in 4 days,” Schmidt said on X.

“The administration is accepting it as normal. They won't even release info on what the thugs look like, despite the victims reporting they're a bunch of young black guys who have done mugging after mugging and gotten away with it.”