As Chicago braces for another summer plagued with the specter of gun violence, stakeholders and Chicagoans alike are ramping up efforts to combat the recurring tide of shootings, that often spike with the warmer weather. According to the Chicago Tribune, the city's strategy includes training sessions aimed at empowering residents with the knowledge to manage bleeding from gunshots, a grim reality for too many in this city.

In preparation for the influx of visitors expected for The Democratic National Convention and the anticipated summer violence, Superintendent Larry Snelling of the Chicago Police Department intends to forge ahead with strategic police deployments, despite nearly 2,000 unfilled officer positions. The police will focus on the 35 beats witnessing the highest rates of violence, ensuring, "an appropriate amount of manpower within those areas," Snelling told the Chicago Tribune.

On a local level, the 26th Ward of Humboldt Park has maintained a tradition of protest against the ceaseless violence, with the community's recent 29th Annual Youth for Peace Walk, drawing attention to a cry for peace and safety. ABC7 Chicago reported from Brian Stewart, a community resident, "It's just been getting more and more out of control, and I feel like it's time we bring the attention to the streets". His sentiment was echoed across neighborhoods as Chicagoans united for anti-violence marches with the hope of shifting the narrative of their streets.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's approach to the issue takes a more preventative stance by rolling out a summer safety plan focused on, among other initiatives, the training of "youth peacekeepers". Mayor Johnson remains critical of past administrations for their hand in the city's plight but promises investment in people and youth. "They have run this city to the ground, but now, you have progressive leadership that's invested in people to building it up," Johnson said in a statement obtained by ABC7 Chicago.

In line with these plans, Chicago's Office of Inspector General has raised concerns about CPD’s preparedness for the DNC event, advocating for improved community interaction and modernized policing strategies. CPD officials, however, argue that the report overlooks their extensive training and updated policies as they aim for a safe convention, a point highlighted by Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Garien Gatewood in discussions with the Chicago Tribune.

Shifting the focus back to community efforts, organizations like Chicago CRED and MedCEEP are working on the ground to maintain nonaggression pacts between gangs and provide life-saving medical knowledge to the youth. The courses such as the “stop the yield” training tackle the aftereffects of violence, fostering a sense of stewardbirthdate and preparedness among young people. Dr. Abdullah Pratt, involved in MedCEEP, iterates the value in this approach: "If you teach someone how to save a life, that reduces their chances of taking someone’s life," he shared during a peaceful shift in the emergency room at University of Chicago Medical Center.

With the collaboration of law enforcement, governmental leadership, medical professionals, and the empowered citizenry, Chicago looks to hold back the tide of summer violence. Yet, as the efforts intensify, so does the realization that beyond the statistics and the strategies, lie real lives, futures, and families holding on to hope for a safer season.