Chicago turning into ‘Gotham City,’ witness tells U.S. House committee
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[September 27, 2023]
By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Violent crime in Chicago took the focus of the
U.S. House Judiciary Committee with victims' survivors and retired law
enforcement prescribing solutions.
The hearing took place not in Washington D.C., but at the Chicago
Fraternal Order of Police hall. Testifying was Gianno Caldwell, a Fox
News contributor and someone whose teenage brother was shot and killed
in Chicago. He said with the end of cash bail and do-not-chase policies,
criminals feel emboldened turning The Windy City into Gotham City.
Chicago is savable, but he said residents have to make adjustments
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“If the folks in Chicago don’t start voting differently and demanding
justice versus becoming numb to what we see is a daily slaughter, then
we can’t get anything done,” Caldwell said. “We can’t have any
movement.”
Retired Chicago detective John Garrido told committee members that
criminal defendants may be more combative than they typically would be
because of the recent start of no cash bail, where in many instances
individuals charged with crimes don't need to post bail before they are
released.
“The bad guys are just learning, and they’re quickly learning because
this stuff is just broadcast everywhere, that they don’t have to worry
about any consequences,” Garrido said.
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Carlos Yanez, a retired disabled Chicago police officer who was shot
five times, said criminals know there are lax policies in holding them
accountable.
“It is time to stop coddling criminals and holding them accountable for
their actions,” Yanez said. “Only then will they stop and think before
they carjack, rob, shoot or kill a law-abiding citizen.”
Democrats did not attend the hearing, some telling the media their focus
needs to be on crafting a plan by the end of the week to keep the
federal government open.
"This is very interesting when all of us should be in Washington trying
to make sure that the government does not shut down because we have not
reached an agreement on a budget or at least a continuing resolution,"
said U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Chicago. "A forum at the FOP headquarters
will not change their budget proposal that will hurt students, seniors,
and rural communities, undermine law enforcement, and, in all
probability, spark an increase in crime."
Caldwell said Democrats should have been at the hearing.
“Many of the folks who’ve said ‘Black lives matter,’ and they do, but
they’re not showing that Black lives matter by not being here today,”
Caldwell said.
Chicago police crime statistics show overall crime up 77% over the past
two years with vehicle thefts up 211%. Robberies are up 45% during that
time.
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