[remote or in person] Public Hearing with Police Supt. Larry Snelling

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Criminal Justice

Monday, April 8, 2024
6:30 p.m. CDT

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3510 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60653 Chicago, IL 60653 (Directions)

Chicago Police Department Headquarters

You have the option of documenting this meeting in person or remotely.

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If you choose to document remotely, you will need to sign up for the Zoom webinar at this link: https://cityofchicago-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qkq6UBhrTzuz-LlXSVG2Dw#/registration. Never post a Zoom link directly on Twitter as this can lead to Zoombombing.

The end time listed on this assignment is an estimation based on the duration of past meetings of this type.

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Erin McGinnis

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Live reporting by Allison Leon

Pretextual traffic stops, Missing and murdered persons, ShotSpotter gunshot detection tech, School resource officers, Consent decree, DNC

Allison @leonad49
Good evening! I’ll be live-tweeting today's Public Hearing with Police Supt. Larry Snelling
at Chicago Police Department Headquarters for #CHIdocumenters
@CHIdocumenters

06:32 PM Apr 8, 2024 CDT

Allison @leonad49 2/38
Residents can submit questions or comments here: . For virtual participation:
shorturl.at/djmD0 shorturl.at/qwyHL
Allison @leonad49 3/38
The CCPSA is legally required to hold 4 public hearings, which provide a platform for the Superintendent to address Chicago residents. For coverage on the previous public hearing, please see Chitra's thread
Allison @leonad49 4/38
Meeting begins at 6:45 p. Purpose of the meeting is stated. CCPSA counselors and District counselors are in attendance as well
Allison @leonad49 5/38
Supt. Snelling begins his remarks: "I look forward to hearing what you have to say, your questions". He describes a store in Englewood that had fresh fruits, using it as an example of community development that he wishes to see among communities
Allison @leonad49 6/38
First question is from a Woodlawn community member. He is addressing about rapid response traffic stops, that disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities.
blockclubchicago.org/2024/02/15/911…
Allison @leonad49 7/38
Supt. Snelling responds that traffic stops are down 46,000, with an increase in felony arrests and gun recoveries/arrests. Says this data indicates they are focused in the right direction, with space for more work to be done.
Allison @leonad49 8/38
Adds that retraining some officers is necessary. Collaboration with violent prevention groups is also a factor in addressing this. Emphasizes the need to make sure every officer is a community officer.
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Next public comment is from activist Miracle Boyd. Comments that 46,000 cuts are not enough compared to 500,000 stops. She shares her experience as an activist and a survivor of CPD violence "I need you to do more and be more".
Allison @leonad49 10/38
More on Miracle Boyd:
thetriibe.com/2022/07/hes-es…
Allison @leonad49 11/38
Supt. Snelling gives context for the process of firing an officer, adding many parties are necessary. He adds that in order for community members and CPD to get along with each other they have to understand each other and be willing to hear each other out.
Allison @leonad49 12/38
Supt. Snelling also addresses a second part of Boyd's comment on a release of a fatal CPD shooting, saying that context will be added to correct statements that are circulating
chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2024/04/…
Allison @leonad49 13/38
Supt. Snelling closes his statement by saying that there is not enough outrage on homicides in Chicago.
Allison @leonad49 14/38
Next public comment is from a grassroots activist, Jasmine, on the aforementioned CPD shooting. She says that the officer in question should be off the force until this investigation is resolved.
Allison @leonad49 15/38
Supt. Snelling says that there is an oversight body that will make the decision and make sure that everyone is held accountable
Allison @leonad49 16/38
Next comment is from a organizer who focuses on missing and murdered Black people in Chicago. There is a family in the audience standing with pictures of a victim. The question is not addressed by Supt. Snelling.
Allison @leonad49 17/38
Next comment is on Supt. Snelling's comment on using the work of CPD during protests of NATO as model of policing. A quote from a National Lawyers Guild Attorney is read, describing police aggressively questioning activists about occupy chicago. Ends, this not a model of policing
Allison @leonad49 18/38
Supt. Snelling responds that this sounds like a traffic stop. His comment was in reference to civil unrest and protest. Rooted in 1st and 4th amendment training. And built around "best practices and worst practices."
cbsnews.com/chicago/news/c…
Allison @leonad49 19/38
Next comment was not audible, but Supt. Snelling discusses work addressing youth work and wraparound services to reach out to communities.
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Next public comment asks if Supt. Snelling supports an end to pretextual traffic stops. Supt. Snelling says that this will be addressed as part of the consent decree.
Allison @leonad49 21/38
Next comment is on the nomination of Snelling. Thought that he was the right person but didn’t have the tools to do what was needed. Education needed in communities to understand their rights. Implication for racialized segregation of policing and discriminatory impacts.
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Supt. Snelling responds that he connects with the statement: trying to articulate a right I don't understand. Education and educating ourselves on what we need to know.
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Responding to how he will differ from previos supts, he won’t tolerate disrespect and unprofessionalism. There will be accountability for those things to be able to openly accept the past. This is the only way to be able to move forward
Allison @leonad49 24/38
Next comment addresses the DNC convention, shares Shot Spotter should be kept, and comments on youth that they work with express interest in joining CPD. Snelling shares info on the CPFTA
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Comment on traffic stops and how they disproportionately affect Black and Brown communities. Supt. Snelling shares that these numbers are recent. He has addressed that works needs to be done, and that overtime this will show.
Allison @leonad49 26/38
Commentor responds that the numbers do reflect much of Supt. Snelling tenure. Supt. Snelling argues that they do not cover enough time, but do show a small increase. Asks that more time be allowed to reflect his tenure accurately.
Allison @leonad49 27/38
Next commentor discusses victims of police violence. Shares how the handling of these cases diminishes public trust, and how an officer in her district that caused tremendous harm was promoted to a detective.
Allison @leonad49 28/38
Next commentor begins their comment by asking CPD to not leave schools. They addresses their comment towards organizations present, asking them to not make kids political activists. Supt. Snelling claps during this
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Next commentor is a Woodlawn community member sharing her story on drag racing, says that she called officers three times and no one showed up. Supt. Snelling asks for her to leave her information.
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Next commentor lives on 59th and Indiana. Shares the same issue as the previous commentor on drag racing in Woodlawn, asks for the 2nd District to address this.
Allison @leonad49 31/38
Following comment states that the city does not need ShotSpotter. Don’t need money to go to tech that doesn’t work. Asks the Supt. and others to imagine how that money can be reinvested in services to the community.
Allison @leonad49 32/38
Following commentor expresses disappointment with CPD and government, asks what is being done to address drugs being sold in streets and why they have not received a response. Supt. asks that they meet after.
Allison @leonad49 33/38
Community question: What are you expecting A.American community to do to decrease the violence in Chicago?
A: Shares stories of homicide with community involvement that resulted in arrest. Need information to prevent lives being taken.
Allison @leonad49 34/38
Following comment is from the family of a victim. Shares disappointment in how their son's case was handled and the lack of response from COPA. "I am here for some justice for my son. Please help me. Please!"
Allison @leonad49 35/38
Mic cuts in and out as family and other attendees break out into a "No Justice, No Peace chant". Other members ask Supt. Snelling to join them in the street, saying the lack of response and movement makes all of CPD look bad.
Allison @leonad49 36/38
Next comment is concerning pretextual traffic stop affecting Black and Brown residents, especially on the West Side. They ask why wait to put pretextual traffic stop in the decree? Supt. Snelling: reason to put into the consent decree is to ensure it is a longterm policy
Allison @leonad49 37/38
Supt. Snelling gives final comment: he will do the work to fortify this relationship to ensure this city isn’t divided. Emphasizes preventative approach and a focus on victims of violence. Cannot have narrative that officers are destroying communities.
Allison @leonad49 38/38
Meeting ends at 8:29p
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Agency Information

Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability

www.chicago.gov

(312) 742-8888

See Documenters reporting

In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance creating a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. The ordinance creates two types of bodies: a citywide Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils, which will be elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety in the district. The Commission and District Councils will bring police officers and Chicago residents together to plan, prioritize, and build mutual trust; strengthen the police accountability system; give Chicagoans a meaningful new role in oversight; and explore and advance alternative effective approaches to public safety.

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