By: Ashmar Mandou

City leaders on Wednesday announced collaborative efforts designed to prevent and reduce crime and violence, including community safety town halls curated to each Chicago region that will provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions, share feedback, and inform the City on violence prevention strategy. “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that partnering with community leaders is key to our success to co-create and implement equitable and efficient strategies,” said Tamara Mahal, CSCC Chief Coordination Officer. “The CSCC is designed around deep partnership with those most impacted by violence and the mobilization of our city department resources in response.”

Since the launch of Chicago’s first-ever Community Safety Coordination Center (CSCC) in August, 2021, the City has worked with health care providers, community-based organizations and faith leaders. Over twenty departments and agencies worked through a process to identify their role in violence prevention. As a result, the City is implementing targeted strategies, including

• People-based strategy: Connecting, coordinating, and organizing supports and opportunities around those at the highest risk for violence involvement. 

• Crisis response: Supporting law enforcement partners with deep engagement with community and strengthening collaborations to build stronger, coordinated pathways to resources for those who are justice-involved. 

“Making our city safer means ensuring every community has a voice,” said Chicago Police Department Superintendent David O. Brown. “The work of the Chicago Police Department, the Community Safety Coordination Center, and every city department go hand in hand because we all play an important part in preventing violence.” Between March 9th and March 19th, the CSCC and CPD will host six virtual community safety town halls tailored to the needs of each Chicago region, with one town hall fully in Spanish. Residents are encouraged to register for one of the town hall meetings at, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-safety-town-halls-tickets-288801201167

• March 9 –North/Northwest Sides Community Safety Town Hall 

• March 10 –West Side Community Safety Town Hall 

• March 12 –Southwest Side Community Safety Town Hall 

• March 15 –City Center/Near North, South Loop, West Loop Community Safety Town Hall 

• March 16 – South Side Community Safety Town Hall 

• March 19 –Citywide Community Safety Town Hall in Spanish