Can Chicago mayor stop gun violence after a weekend of bloodshed?

Aug. 2, 2019 por Isolda Barrera

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This past weekend marked some grim days, as 40 people were injured due to shootings in the city and the surrounding areas, sadly also 8 more were shot but passed away, with one of them being a minor.

During the Fourth of July weekend last month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot mentioned her plan to cut down on gun violence in the city.

Together with help from Chicago Police Chief, Eddie Johnson they plan to send out around 1,500 officers on the street to help monitor the situation and confiscate any weapons as a way of to minimize shootings which are said to increase during the summer time.

With the past shootings this weekend where there were 40 people injured and 8 more were fatally shot, the beginning of the week didn’t turn out any better, when on Monday more shootings were reports this time with 6 casualties.

Many are trying to stay hopeful with Mayor Lightfoot’s plan to have a stricter control on gun violence within city limits and hope that she can succeed. While others remain skeptical about whether there is much that can be done to really appease the situation. Advocating for gun control to fight gun violence was part of Lightfoot’s electoral campaign and she is planning to see it through.

Some praise Lightfoot as she has been closely working to try and get the situation under control. While many know that it's not an easy job and that it can't be simply accomplished overnight, her plan is to make things long-term and to bring a better quality of life to all of the citizens of the city

For the moment Chicago mayor has appointed a new deputy in charge of the Office of Public Safety as she had promised, and will continue talk into investing in neighborhoods that are predominantly black and brown, South and West sides, which according to records have been the most neglected by past administrations, and where the majority of gun violence tends to take place.

Earlier this summer Mayor Lightfoot was seen participating in the annual peace march at the Father Michael Pflieger’s St. Sabina Church.

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