Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is expected to appear at a City Council budget hearing Tuesday afternoon, one day after several city aldermen publicly called for his firing this week following another violent summer in the city.
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Police Supt. Garry McCarthy sits down for a budget hearing with Ald. Mayor Emanuel also weighed in on the embattled superintendent.
But alderman criticized McCarthy for, in their minds, over prioritizing anti-violence measures at the expense of everything else.
A group of Chicago aldermen are demanding that the city’s police superintendent resign, pointing to the street violence plaguing the city. Leslie Hariston told McCarthy on Tuesday when he appeared before the council.
“I try not to be personal”. It’s been going on for a very long time. I’ve got pretty thick skin and a pretty thick head at the same time. “I agree with the Black Caucus, I definitely feel that McCarthy should be fired he should be terminated immediately”, Community activist William Calloway said.
Most aldermen used today’s hearing to express their anger, rather than ask questions. Carrie Austin (34th), who was among the aldermen calling for McCarthy’s ouster, despite her frequent allegiance with Emanuel. “You have to listen to what other people have to say”. But I do place the blame, superintendent, on the overall strategies coming out of the Chicago Police Department.
Caucus Chairman and 6th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), whose ward covers parts of Austin and Garfield Park.
“What is it that you can tell us that we can do?”
“Hold the entire system accountable”, he said.
Two years ago, McCarthy faced tough questioning from Ald.
McCarthy disagreed. He reiterated his stance that the focus should be gun control policies because Chicago has a high number of illegal guns seized from the streets.
“You see the results that can happen when people work together with legislators, prosecutors, judiciary, police departments, to ensure that it’s all operating in sync. Let’s concentrate on what we’re going to do now”, he said.
Chicago police data showed there were more than 56 murders and more than 250 shooting incidents reported for the month.
He said seeking help from state lawmakers, particularly on guns laws, was one way.
Ervin tried to turn attention away from the issue of gun violence and toward the “quality of life” issues that he said he hears most about from residents.
Sawyer said caucus members and McCarthy met last week and the superintendent made commitments to increasing the police department’s diversity, but the members still decided he needs to go, Sawyer said.
“I understand (aldermen’s) frustration”.
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“I want to make clear that I share everybody’s frustration in this room”, he said.
