Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced a five-point strategy to combat looting in the city’s business district that includes social media monitoring, speeding up police response and “robust” prosecution. The new plan comes days after looters hit several downtown businesses on the Magnificent Mile shopping area, stealing property and causing extensive damage. More than 100 people were arrested Sunday and 13 police officers were injured. Other looting occurred in May and June during the George Floyd protests. “No one should ever feel they can break into our businesses, destroy and steal property and get away with it,” Lightfoot said at a news conference on Friday. “I also want those in particular, who have been shaken by this week, and the events of the summer, to know that I hear you loud and clear,” she said. “You deserve to feel safe.” The plan calls for the creation of a 20-person task force within the police department to utilize technology and data analytics to monitor social media for advance notice of gatherings that could turn into a problem, Lightfoot said.
Westwood One News
