Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling addressed concerns and defended the actions of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) amid the chaotic events that unfolded in Brighton Park last weekend. As reported by CBS Chicago, Snelling rejected claims that officers were instructed to stand down during a protest following the shooting of a woman by federal agents. "Our officers were out there throughout the entire event," Snelling stated, addressing rumors that CPD was absent or inactive during the disturbances.
The incident, which has sparked significant community unrest, began when federal agents shot a 30-year-old woman, Marimar Martinez, after she allegedly tried to ram their vehicle. According to FOX 32 Chicago, Snelling clarified that, despite viral posts, no order was given by Chief of Patrol Jon Hein to ignore calls for assistance. Instead, there was hesitation to dispatch officers without proper riot gear, but CPD eventually aided federal agents 40 minutes later, correcting a miscommunication.
Dispelling rumors of an internal directive to not support federal law enforcement, Snelling affirmed, "That is absolutely not true. There is no internal message," challenging suggestions of inaction by the CPD toward fellow law enforcement. This comes amid reports of a large crowd gathering and tensions escalating, with CPD eventually intervening and federal agents deploying tear gas in response to the protesting crowd's maneuvers.
Snelling emphasized the necessity for CPD's presence during such events, "When we show up to a scene, and a crowd gathers, CPD is going to step out there," he told CBS Chicago. Reiterating their duty to maintain calm and order, he stated, "We're going to make sure that we bring some type of calm or resolution to whatever's going on at that scene." Despite the challenges faced, Snelling indicated that coordination between the CPD and federal authorities prevented the situation from potentially turning into a full-blown riot.
The unfolding situation also highlighted the complex dynamics of law enforcement collaboration in sensitive scenarios involving crowd control and investigation. Snelling reminded the public of Chicago's Welcoming City Law, which limits CPD's role in federal immigration enforcement. However, he also underscored the importance of CPD's role in maintaining public safety and assisting with the preservation of crime scenes for thorough investigations. According to Snelling, 27 CPD officers experienced the effects of tear gas deployed by federal agents, a point of concern that he plans to discuss further with federal leadership.
