title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT, COOK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ILLINOIS STATE POLICE, CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS AND COOK COUNTY’S DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR PREPARATION AND HARD WORK KEEPING CHICAGOANS SAFE FOLLOWING THE JASON VAN DYKE VERDICT
WHEREAS, the murder trial of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke took place over several weeks in the fall of 2018, and
WHEREAS, the trial was one of the most-watched in recent history, and
WHEREAS, leading up to the verdict, there were fears among Cook County residents that there could be violent reactions to the jury’s decision, and
WHEREAS, there was remarkable coordination between the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, the Illinois State Police, OEMC and Homeland Security, and
WHEREAS, the first responders were on call for several days and had time off cancelled so they could be present to keep citizens safe, and
WHEREAS, during the trial, the Sheriff’s office worked to keep the Leighton Criminal Courthouse functioning normally, even with one of the highest profile trials in recent memory going on, and
WHEREAS, the Chicago Police Department spread resources across the city to make sure all Chicagoans would be safe, including the individuals who rallied in the Loop and at the courthouse following the verdict, and
WHEREAS, the State Police stepped in to make sure the Sheriff’s Office and Chicago Police had assistance if it was needed, and
WHEREAS, the members of the Chicago Fire Department prepared to be on call 24 hours a day in case they were needed, and
WHEREAS, the cooperation exhibited by each of these agencies should serve as a model for any serious incidents going forward, and
WHEREAS, this type of collaboration is a further example of ways law enforcement can rebuild the relationship and establish trust with the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the President and Cook County Board of Commissioners that the men and women of the Chicago Police and Fire Departments, the Illinois State Police, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and Cook County’s Department of Homeland Security are commended and thanked for their dedication to keeping all of Chicago and Cook County safe following the Jason Van Dyke verdict.
end