Paul Vallas, Former Chief Executive Officer for Chicago Public Schools | X
Paul Vallas, Former Chief Executive Officer for Chicago Public Schools | X
Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools, said that rising violence against police officers and insufficient penalties pose a threat to the safety of law enforcement and the public. The statement was made on X.
"The attempted murder of ICE agents in Alvarado, Texas, is the latest example of how the demonization of law enforcement personnel is placing them in harms way," said Vallas, Former Chief Executive Officer. "Nowhere is this more evident than the treatment of police in big Blue cities like Chicago. Between 2020-2024, Chicago Police officers were shot at over 330 times with 38 shot, injured or killed. The absence of tough penalties constitutes extreme negligence by city and state leaders."
As reported by the Associated Press, violence against law enforcement has increased significantly in Chicago and other major U.S. cities since 2020. This rise has prompted legislative responses such as tougher penalties for attacks on police and expanded support resources amid broader debates about public safety, police reform, and gun violence.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, from 2020 to mid-2024, more than 200 Chicago Police officers were shot at or wounded. At least 14 officers were fatally shot, and dozens more were injured in non-fatal incidents, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by law enforcement in the city.
The University of Chicago Crime Lab reports that police shootings of and by officers in Chicago declined from 2010 to 2019. However, from 2020 to 2024, shootings targeting officers increased while police shootings of civilians remained flat or slightly decreased during this period.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Vallas is a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (1995–2001), later led other large school districts, ran for mayor, and has been a frequent advocate on public safety and police reform issues in Chicago.
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