Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Contrarian announced on X that Mayor Brandon Johnson loathes the Chicago Police, alleging that the mayor holds disdain toward the department.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Mayor Johnson has often emphasized community investment strategies over direct police expansion. This approach has led critics to question his commitment to law enforcement. The Tribune reported that Johnson has steered resources toward mental health, education, and housing programs while showing reluctance to allocate major new funding to Chicago Police Department (CPD) staffing. This strategy has created tension with police union leaders who argue that officer shortages are contributing to safety concerns across Chicago.

As reported by the New York Post, Johnson recently appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe where he was asked five times whether hiring an additional 5,000 CPD officers would drive down crime. Instead of offering a direct answer, Johnson argued that housing and social services were the true foundations of public safety. The Post highlighted that this refusal to directly endorse additional police officers reinforced criticism from those who claim he is hostile toward CPD.

In defense of his public safety approach, the City of Chicago issued an official press release showcasing reductions in several major crime categories. The release documented a 21% year-over-year decrease in overall violent crime, a 32% decline in homicides, and a 49% drop in vehicular hijackings. City officials said that these outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of Johnson’s "holistic" investments in housing, mental health services, and violence prevention initiatives, even without significant increases in police staffing.

Chicago Contrarian is a digital commentary platform providing critiques and analysis of politics, policing, and governance in Chicago. According to Illinois Review, the outlet frequently publishes sharp commentary on Mayor Johnson’s policies, particularly those tied to policing and crime. On August 26, Chicago Contrarian reiterated its critical stance with the statement on X: "Brandon Johnson loathes Chicago Police."