Sorry, but more cops are not the answer

A recent letter in the Sun-Times by a retired cop, “When Trump says Chicago is ‘out of control,’ he does not exaggerate,” ignores the reality on the ground of state violence and systemically impoverished, under-resourced and overpoliced communities.

With Chicago’s gun violence epidemic killing innocent children every weekend, we need solutions that will help communities heal and prevent violence. More cops are not the answer. These hordes of armed men in riot gear will continue to terrorize protesters and escalate violence, not protect our children from gunshots.

The Chicago police left teenagers bloody and battered last weekend. How will more of them in our schools and on our streets keep children safe? Police are not required to protect people and prevent harm; the Supreme Court told us as much. Police are there to control and apprehend.

I was too far away from the front of the march on July 17 to see the initial altercation with protesters and bike cops. Many had no idea that even occurred. Police attacked us anyway, deploying mace and batons indiscriminately against people who never lifted a finger against police or the statue. My first experience of physical violence was at the hands of the Chicago Police Department. Cops shoved me to the concrete multiple times and hit me with my own bike as I lay screaming. They did not, and do not have to, care about the safety of young people in the streets.

We cannot count on the same people who are paid to inflict violence on youth in schools and at protests to protect youth from violence. Mayor Lori Lightfoot should listen to the communities plagued by gun violence and police violence, not to President Donald Trump or CPD. Meghan Hasset, Pilsen