CHICAGO POLICE HEADQUARTERS — Chicago Police are partnering with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to track illegal guns in a bid to reduce the city's violence.
The agencies have created the Chicago Crime Gun Strike Force, which will use federal agents alongside city and state police and prosecutors to target repeat gun offenders and trace guns used in crimes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has brought in an extra 20 agents to help with the initiative, which will be permanent.
"This is more than just a new strategy or a tactic, we are fundamentally changing the way we fight crime in Chicago," said First Deputy Supt. Kevin Navarro at a Friday news conference.
The partnership means it will now take hours instead of days to test guns when charging someone, officials said. The bureau brought in — albeit temporarily — a high-tech van that can test guns and shell casings at crime scenes.
"ATF is dedicated to this mission and has taken several steps to bring resources and personnel to assist," said Cmdr. Tim Jones, who will head the strike force. Jones is a member of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. " ... We are excited to help in any way we can."
First Deputy Superintendent, Kevin Navarro addresses new strategies to fight gun crime. pic.twitter.com/uau6WTGnbS
— Kayla Martinez (@k_martnz) June 30, 2017
The move comes as violence remains high in Chicago: Shootings have fallen so far in 2016, but they remain higher than in years past. More than 330 people have already been murdered in Chicago this year.
Jones said he hopes the work will lead to more cases being recommended for prosecution. Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Levin said the office prosecuted more cases in 2016 than in any year prior for more than a decade — but it's already prosecuted even more in 2017.
"The launching of this strike force by the ATF is further evidence of a strong, federal commitment to combat violence," Levin said.
Chicago Police have been working with federal agencies since November to get help in combating crime, officials said.
