Chicago City Wire

By late morning on April 22, a shooting incident occurred near Grace and Peace Church in Chicago's North Austin neighborhood. The gunmen fled before police arrived, leaving behind a scene of concern for the community. The alleged target was speculated to be a street outreach worker from the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, which shares office space with the church.

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) encountered challenges in their investigation as outreach workers withheld information and did not cooperate. This situation highlights ongoing complexities between CPD and peacekeepers—community-based violence intervention workers.

Peacekeepers are funded by federal and state programs such as the Community Development Block Grant and Illinois Department of Human Services Community-Based Violence Prevention and Intervention Program. These initiatives aim to prevent violence through community-led efforts rather than traditional policing methods.

Despite support from some city officials like Mayor Brandon Johnson, CPD members have expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of peacekeepers. They argue that many peacekeepers return to gang activities or engage in illegal activities while on duty, despite policies against such behavior.

Incidents involving peacekeepers include arrests for violent crimes and interference with police investigations. Critics within CPD argue that these actions undermine public safety efforts rather than supporting them.

The role of peacekeepers remains controversial, with debates about their impact on crime reduction and their relationship with law enforcement agencies. The City of Chicago faces decisions about how best to allocate resources to address violence while balancing different approaches to public safety.