Jun 27, 2009 5:44 pm US/Central
Lack Of Police Cooperation In High-Crime Areas?
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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People gathered to march against violence on the south side.
CBS
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Chastity Turner, 9, died after she was shot in the neck in the South Side's Hamilton Park neighborhood.
CBS
In the
murder investigation of a 9-year old girl from Englewood, sources within the Chicago Police Department tell CBS 2 and the Chicago Tribune that Chastity Turner's father is not assisting with their investigation. But family members say that's not the case. Police are not commenting on the record about the father's cooperation.
But what is clear tonight is that lack of cooperation in high-crime communities is becoming more and more of a problem. CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli explains why it happens.
They were chanting and marching against violence Saturday on the south side. Among those walking, a couple of uniformed Chicago police officers. It's the type of outreach that experts say creates relationships that can help solve crimes. But all too often the trust just isn't there and witnesses to crimes refuse to work with police.
It came to a head one recent weekend.
"During that weekend, we had 12 incidents of victims that had been shot and refused to cooperate with the detectives in furtherance of their investigations," said Assistant Superintendent James Jackson.
An ex-gang member named Ray says he knows why. Ray ran with a gang for a dozen years and says he saw people take their last breaths after being shot on the street. He says cooperating amounts to snitching and often comes with the ultimate street tax.
"Anything can happen. You put your life in jeopardy. You put your family's life in jeopardy," Ray said.
The head of CeaseFire Illinois says he thinks fear of retaliation is a serious concern, but he says a misguided desire for revenge and vigilante justice is an even bigger problem.
"It's just a culture in the community," Tio Hardiman said. "Violence is turned into a culture. People believe in violence. Violence is expected. So a lot of people won't cooperate with the system because they feel they can take care of their own business."
But Joyce Hunter says the justice system worked for her son
Julius Birdine who was murdered outside the home where today's march began.
It was almost three years ago to the day when Julius and his wife were sitting on a porch. That's when the killer came up and demanded that he hand over his dog. Julius refused. The killer opened fire, shooting him three times.
Julius's wife survived and provided the key testimony that led to the killer's 56-year prison sentence. But she did it, Hunter says, from within the safety of the witness protection program.
"They gave my daughter-in-law protection," Hunter said. "They will if you ask for it. You have to ask for it. Don't be afraid to ask for it."
But experts say often such protection isn't available. Ray says stepping forward is a difficult thing to do.
"It could cost you your life and your family's life," Ray said.
Two people have been charged in connection with the murder of Chastity Turner. The girl's father remains hospitalized. Sources say he is believed to have been the intended target.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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