By Adam Chapelle, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) In a year where Chicago’s murder count appears to be reaching decades-old highs, there’s a curious decision from the Chicago Police Department.
A memo was sent to officers late Friday that said the city is canceling the Violence Reduction Initiative- a program that puts hundreds of officers on the streets each night. Usually, officers that are on the streets are part of the initiative do so on their days off and rack up overtime.
The memo sent on behalf of interim police superintendent John Escalante says the program is being discontinued citywide on July 1st, which also marks the start of the Independence Day holiday weekend.
Over the past two years, 24 people have been killed and more than 135 have been wounded over the extended July 4 weekend.
@ 2016 WLS-AM News
