Chicago residents are speaking out against the city's police interactions with federal agents during immigration raids, saying it leaves them feeling unprotected.
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a meeting at Thalia Hall in Pilsen where nearly two dozen speakers voiced their frustrations about how Chicago police have been coordinating with federal law enforcement in recent months.
Many expressed anger over the length of time it took to address this issue, which was sparked by police district councilors who gathered 2,000 signatures to force a meeting through an ordinance despite asking for one in November.
Residents called for the arrest of agents who violate local laws and for the suspension of officers who cooperate with them. They also demanded that CPD brass attend CCPSA meetings to ensure accountability.
The issue started after President Donald Trump ramped up immigration enforcement in Chicago, leading to numerous incidents where police interacted with federal agents. Last month, an officer's response to a call from a Department of Homeland Security official was criticized for its lack of crowd control.
In October, a commander told officers to hold back during a shooting involving a federal agent, which left the shooter accused of boxing in a car driven by the feds. However, federal prosecutors later dismissed the case against her.
Ten days after that incident, Chicago officers were tear-gassed along with protesters while securing another scene.
The lack of action from the City Council also frustrated some speakers who spoke out about their experiences with police interactions. They called on the Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to hold all law enforcement accountable.
The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability held a meeting at Thalia Hall in Pilsen where nearly two dozen speakers voiced their frustrations about how Chicago police have been coordinating with federal law enforcement in recent months.
Many expressed anger over the length of time it took to address this issue, which was sparked by police district councilors who gathered 2,000 signatures to force a meeting through an ordinance despite asking for one in November.
Residents called for the arrest of agents who violate local laws and for the suspension of officers who cooperate with them. They also demanded that CPD brass attend CCPSA meetings to ensure accountability.
The issue started after President Donald Trump ramped up immigration enforcement in Chicago, leading to numerous incidents where police interacted with federal agents. Last month, an officer's response to a call from a Department of Homeland Security official was criticized for its lack of crowd control.
In October, a commander told officers to hold back during a shooting involving a federal agent, which left the shooter accused of boxing in a car driven by the feds. However, federal prosecutors later dismissed the case against her.
Ten days after that incident, Chicago officers were tear-gassed along with protesters while securing another scene.
The lack of action from the City Council also frustrated some speakers who spoke out about their experiences with police interactions. They called on the Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to hold all law enforcement accountable.