All is not well in Daley's Chicago

All Is Not Well In Daley’s Chicago

Chicago (Dec. 8, 1998) – Mayor Daley’s failure to solve the brutal murder of 10-year-old Ryan Harris is evidence of his failed approach to crime in Chicago and the latest example of ineptitude and ineffectiveness in Daley’s Chicago police department, Bobby Rush said Tuesday.

While Daley announced his re-election campaign, Rush stood before the 7^th District police department in Englewood and noted that the community in Englewood, like many communities across the city, does not share the rosy assessment of Chicago painted by Daley in his announcement speech.

"How could all be well in the city of Chicago when the murder of Ryan Harris remains unsolved? How could all be well in Chicago when the Daley administration has allowed the lives of two small boys to be altered forever because they were framed for a crime the police could not solve," said Rush.

The police failures and lack of oversight tolerated by Daley would not occur under a Rush Administration, he said. Rush noted that under Daley’s failed leadership, Chicago has seen 3000 complaints per year to the Office of Professional Standards; massive police corruption and shakedown scandals in Austin; and $30 million of city funds spent to settle over 1,500 lawsuits dealing with excessive force, false arrest and improper searches – many involving officers charged with repeated complaints.

Rush, who was joined at his press conference by Judge R. Eugene Pincham and members of the faith community, said that the tragedy of the Ryan Harris murder requires a Mayor who will reassure the community of their safety. "I would use the power of my office and every tool at my disposal to bring pressure to bear on the States Attorney and demand that justice be served," said Rush. "I would not allow this case to become politicized and let my police superintendent play politics with my police department."

Rush added that under his administration, the city would enjoy real, effective policing.

"Effective policing means true partnerships are built with the community to promote safety," he said "and beyond anything else, effective policing means that crimes in Chicago get solved."

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