To: Lori Lightfoot, Mayor and Charlie Beck, Interim Police Superintendent

Safety for the 17th Chicago Police District

Over the last few months, we’ve seen a worrying increase in the amount of violent crime in Albany Park, Irving Park, and other community areas. We’ve heard the gunfire outside our windows at night. We've seen gang graffiti appear on our schools, daycares, and businesses. We’ve seen the daily reports about more of our neighbors being caught in the crossfire or having their homes broken into. We can only stop this surge in violence with a plan of action for and by our community, and by working with our local police officers.

The 17th Police District is one of Chicago’s largest, covering most of Chicago’s northwest side neighborhoods. It is also one of Chicago’s most understaffed districts. There has been a historical trend that, when new police officers are assigned to neighborhood districts, the 17th District and our community has been forgotten and shortchanged by previous administrations. In the next couple of weeks, the Chicago Police Department will reassign police officers from desk duty to neighborhood districts. We do not want our 17th District to be forgotten as it has been in the past. We want to send a message to the new Mayor and the Chicago Police Department that this trend is unacceptable.

The message from residents is loud and clear. People are demanding a fully staffed police force, more community resources, and preventative programs to deal with the shootings, gang graffiti, home invasions, motor vehicle theft, and robberies. We are calling for a fully staffed 17th Police District, but what previous administrations have considered fully staffed is not acceptable. We want the city to commit additional officers, and more resources to protect our community.

By supporting this mission, you will be letting the Mayor’s office and the Chicago Police Department know directly that they need to prioritize public safety in our area, and that we expect them to act immediately to end this wave of violence.

In the coming days, I will continue reaching out to elected officials and community representatives from across the 17th Police District to add their voices to the campaign. If you or your organization would like to be a co-leader in our mission, please reach out to me at 773-267-2880.

- State Rep. Jaime Andrade, 40th District

Why is this important?

Over the last few months, we've seen a worrying increase in the amount of violent crime in Albany Park, Avondale, Irving Park and other communities.

This petition is supported by the following community leaders, and organizations:
- Jaime Andrade, 40th District State Representative
- Avondale Triangle Community Group
- Horner Park Neighbors
- TRIP - The Residents of Irving Park

This list will be updated as more people sign-on. For more information please visit us at Facebook.com/SafetyFor17