Mayor Brandon Johnson and City of Chicago Launch "Take Back The Block" Initiative to Foster Safer Communities
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Launches "Take Back the Block" Initiative to Address Community Safety

In response to recent incidents of gun violence, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced the launch of the "Take Back the Block" initiative in collaboration with the Mayor's Office of Community Safety (MOCS). The program aims to foster community engagement, reduce violent crime, and demonstrate the city's unwavering commitment to community safety and development.

The inaugural activation of this initiative was held today on the Near West Side, a neighborhood that has recently experienced a mass shooting. The program will continue to be held on Fridays throughout the summer.

Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of government presence in communities in order to better understand and address local needs. He stated, "Keeping communities safe is not a burden that can be carried by any of us alone. Our 'Take Back the Block' initiative is an opportunity for the full force of government to stand with the community for an all-hands-on-deck approach to building a safer Chicago, block by block."

The "Take Back the Block" activations are designed to energize and inspire residents, create prosocial opportunities, connect communities with local government, and provide infrastructure improvements. These engagements will take place on July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, and August 30 in blocks or block groups experiencing high levels of violence.

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Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood of MOCS also stressed the importance of proactive community engagement in promoting safety. He stated, "We need to 'Take Back the Block' to embody our commitment to safety and proactive community engagement." Gatewood also highlighted collaborations with residents, community organizations, faith leaders, and other city departments as key components of this initiative.

The "Take Back the Block" program will also showcase existing city programs aimed at reducing and preventing violence such as Peacekeepers and other youth activities. It will also highlight investments in mental health through community-based organizations like Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development, Inc. (BUILD, Inc.). Additionally, the City will highlight initiatives for victims and survivors of violence, including the Emergency Supplemental Victims Fund (ESVF) and the Hospital Based Violence Prevention (HBVP) RFP.

The HBVP RFP is funded by $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through Mayor Johnson's ARPA Road to Recovery Plan. The ESVF program is also funded through a combination of ARPA and City dollars.

This launch of the "Take Back the Block" initiative follows a week-long focus on community safety in Chicago. On Monday, Mayor Johnson was joined by Chicago Police Department (CPD) Superintendent Snelling at a press conference to address recent violence and call for federal support. On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson joined the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to launch the Cycle Breakers initiative, which provides mentorship, mental health support, and conflict de-escalation resources for youth.

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Tuesday also saw the City establish an Emergency Assistance Center on the Near West Side to provide critical resources and services to victims and survivors of recent violent incidents. On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson joined business and other civic leaders to announce $100 million in philanthropic funding for community violence intervention. And on Thursday, the One Summer Chicago program was expanded to offer over 27,000 jobs for youth as part of the city's safety strategy. Additionally, Mayor Johnson joined CPD as they honored Officer Vasquez Lasso who was killed in the line of duty last year.

Mayor Johnson stated that this week's focus on community safety is just the beginning of a concerted effort to reclaim Chicago's streets until every resident feels secure in their community. He reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to prioritizing community safety not just this week but every week going forward.

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