Jul 10, 2008 6:43 am US/Central
Aldermen Express Doubts In Supt. Weis
New Top Cop To Appear Before City Council
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Police Supt. Jody Weis (File)
CBS
The City Council wants to grill police Supt. Jody Weis in the wake of a rise in violent crime that spilled out of the neighborhoods and into the heart of the Loop during last week's Independence Eve fireworks show.
Weis was appointed from the FBI late last year, after a series of high-profile scandals in the Police Department. He still has the support of Mayor Richard M. Daley, but he is losing support among some aldermen, including Police and Fire Committee Chairman Ike Carothers (29th).
The aldermen are raising serious questions about Weis' ability to handle the department, amid an increase in violence on city streets.
"We do have a new superintendent here. We all know he's inexperienced, and based on that, we have to know now, what are your strategies to deal with crime reduction?" Carothers said.
Weis has been summoned to appear before the City Council next week to address what aldermen say are mistakes made by police patrolling the Taste of Chicago. On Thursday night, a man was killed and several others were injured near Congress Parkway and Dearborn Street as patrons flooded out of Grant Park from the fireworks show. The shooting caused mass hysteria in the streets of the Loop.
The following evening, a man was found shot at the Randolph/Wabash 'L' stop, following a conflict in front of the Chicago Cultural Center.
Carothers claims the festival was the first for many of the people Weis put in positions of authority in the department. He added Weis went too far in reorganizing the department's leadership.
But Mayor Daley countered the team assembled by Weis brought new ideas and a breath of fresh air sorely needed by the police department.
"No one likes a new boss. No one likes new procedures," Mayor Daley said to reporters. "You know that in your business, and Jody Weis is well recognized as a police officer."
Weis is set to appear before the City Council July 15.
The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
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