Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling expressed his desire for increased authority to declare short-term ‘snap curfews’ across the city, a move that Mayor Brandon Johnson has opposed.
Snelling asserted that with the power to implement a three-hour curfew on short notice, the police could deter potential violence at gatherings in historically troubled areas.
The Superintendent emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent violence, stating, “This would give us plenty of time to put out notice to everyone involved that teenagers are going to converge on this area if we don’t stop it ahead of time and it could lead to violence.”
However, during a recent City Council meeting, a revised snap curfew ordinance was delayed at Johnson’s request, highlighting ongoing tensions between the mayor’s office and the police department.
Johnson expressed concerns regarding a change that would allow Snelling unilateral authority to declare curfews without consulting any mayoral staff. He referred to such unilateral power as potentially ineffective and democratic, urging a more collaborative approach to maintain community trust.
This ideological divide underscores the complexities surrounding public safety and community relations in Chicago.
Despite the challenges, Snelling remains adamant that curfews do not equate to criminalizing behavior but are necessary to prevent escalation in certain situations.
“Curfew is not criminal. But if a large group gathers and they start engaging in criminal activity, we’re going to put an end to that. We’re going to stop it,” he stated, adding that while he would prefer to avoid arrests, taking action would be necessary to prevent chaos on the streets.
In addition to discussions around curfews, another matter under consideration is a proposed $1.25 million settlement for the family of Dexter Reed, who was fatally shot by police following a traffic stop incident. Reed had shot an officer before being shot 13 times by law enforcement.
Alderman Matt O’Shea condemned the settlement, raising concerns about its implications for officers within the department who reside in his Far Southwest Side ward.
While Snelling refrained from directly calling for the settlement’s rejection, he urged council members to consider the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the injury sustained by the tactical officer who was shot.
“We have forgotten about the officer whose life was almost taken at that moment….A police officer was shot and seriously, seriously injured,” Snelling remarked, emphasizing the gravity of that night’s events.
During an extensive interview, Snelling acknowledged the ongoing challenges within the police department and mentioned that he has yet to fill the 162 positions defined by the consent decree restored to the 2025 budget, following threats from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
He noted that the hiring process requires careful consideration to ensure the right candidates are selected for these critical roles.
Amid the ongoing dialogue about policing officers and funding, Snelling is optimistic about the department’s technological advancements, particularly the recent acquisition of helicopters to assist in chasing down carjacking and robbery suspects.
He hinted at the potential for incorporating drone technology into crime-fighting strategies, drawing on examples from federal use during the Democratic National Convention, which displayed the effectiveness of drones in certain situations.
When asked about state laws regulating drone use, Snelling pointed out the need for a collaborative discourse to determine effective drone utilization strategies for crime reduction while considering privacy concerns.
He remarked, “What I would like to see is… collaboration where we’re all talking about the same thing and finding out what the most effective way to use drones would be to keep crime down and get to the bottom of crime.”
The ongoing tug-of-war regarding authority, public safety strategies, and community trust remains a crucial focal point as Chicago navigates its complex urban dynamics.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/fran-spielman-show/2025/06/04/chicago-police-larry-snelling-snap-curfews-brandon-johnson
