March 26, 2012

Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy Announce Results of Two Gang-Related Investigations on City's West Side

Multiple Weapons Seized with More than $1.6 Million in Illegal Drugs in Lawndale; Gang-Controlled Drug Market Dismantled and Offenders Charged in Austin

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) joined community members to announce the results of two gang and narcotics takedowns aimed at eliminating gangs, drugs and guns on the city’s West Side.

“The streets of our City belong to our children and the law-abiding residents of Chicago, not to gangbangers and gangs,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Whether in Lawndale or Austin, violence in any part of our city is unacceptable and that is why I’ve tasked Superintendent McCarthy and First Deputy Al Wysinger to implement a comprehensive strategy that will tackle the unique gang problem Chicago has to make our streets city safer.”

As part of a comprehensive strategy, CPD gathers and shares intelligence information throughout the department in a timely fashion in order to prevent retaliatory events from occurring. This includes identifying gang conflicts, new territories and factions, focusing on gang related murders, shootings and general violence related to gang activity.

As a result, “Operation Triple Threat,” which targeted 35 of the most violent members of the Four Corner Hustlers street gang, culminated in the recovery of more than $1.6 million in narcotics and eight firearms in the City’s West Side. 

The Chicago Police Narcotics Division also concluded a two-month investigation into an active narcotics location in the Austin (15th) District, charging 15 offenders with drug-related offenses and effectively dismantling a drug market with estimated daily sales of approximately $7,000.

“These take downs are the result of partnerships between the Chicago Police Department, our federal partners and the input of the community,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “This is just the beginning – we are going to be addressing gang violence in a new, comprehensive fashion to ensure that Chicago is a safe place to live, work and play for residents of all our communities.”

Operation “Triple Threat” focused on violent gang-related activity in the Harrison (11th) District, where the Chicago Police Violence Reduction Initiative announced by Mayor Emanuel and Superintendent McCarthy last month has been underway to drive down crime in the area. Drug markets identified in Operation “Triple Threat” and now dismantled were associated with street violence occurring in the Harrison District.

Austin (15th) District officers will continue to work closely with residents, business owners, and members of the faith-based community to promote positive results following the dismantled drug market and removal of gang members from the street. 

 

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