Chicago City Wire

Paul Vallas, former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, has expressed concerns about anti-police bias in media and the violent crime rates that contribute to making policing in Chicago an unappealing and dangerous job. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Why on earth would anyone want to be a Chicago cop," said Vallas. "The woke social justice activists at the Sun Times believe that because the number of minorities (Black and Latinos) killed, arrested or stopped by police is greater than their share of Chicago's population, then policing is racist. Never mind the correlation between violent crime and police stops as nearly 95% of those murdered and shot in Chicago are Black and Latino as are the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the Sun Times' headline reinforces this disgraceful and dangerous ideologically driven anti-cop bias, describing the offender's murder of a police officer as an “unfortunate reaction."

Debates over police-community relations and crime rates in Chicago have intensified, with media coverage playing a significant role in shaping public perception and policy response, according to the Chicago Tribune. High-profile incidents and fluctuating crime trends have fueled calls for police reform and community engagement. Analysts note that news coverage often amplifies both public concern and tension between law enforcement and residents.

According to the Chicago Police Department, from 2020 to 2024 there were more than 12,000 shootings in Chicago, with at least 60 police officers shot and over 15 killed in the line of duty. Annual reports reveal that both violence and officer risk surged during the pandemic and remain elevated.

The University of Chicago Crime Lab reports that young Black and Latino men make up over 70% of both violent crime victims and known offenders in recent years. Their study highlights stark demographic disparities in shootings and homicides across the city.

Vallas is a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and a recent candidate for mayor of Chicago, as profiled by Ballotpedia. He is known for advocating community policing, data-driven reforms, and expanded youth and public safety programs to address crime and build trust.