Chicago, IL

Aurora police get body-worn cameras, new dash cams for squad cars

Published

3 years ago

May 9, 2022

Aurora police get body-worn cameras, new dash cams for squad cars

AURORA, Ailing. (WLS) — Aurora police have new digicam know-how as a part of crime-fighting and police transparency efforts within the western suburb.

Aurora cops are actually sporting cameras on their our bodies and cameras inside squad automobiles are getting an improve, too.

Two years in the past this month, what began out as a peaceable protest in Aurora over the George Floyd verdict became a full-scale riot with destruction and looting within the downtown space. Aurora police have been overwhelmed.

Many of the video of what transpired got here from non-public safety cameras or cell telephones. Police say if it occurred immediately, it will be completely different as a result of all their officers are actually outfitted with physique worn cameras.

“The fact nowadays is, seeing is believing,” stated Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross.

Whereas many different departments within the space, together with Chicago, have had body-worn cameras for a while, Aurora held off till this yr. The division spent greater than $4 million on a system that features sprint cameras for squad automobiles and alerts on Tasers that activate the cameras when an officer makes use of it.

Police even have the power to drag up stay pictures from the cameras to allow them to monitor creating conditions, such because the riots and even the mass capturing on the Henry Pratt Firm that killed six individuals together with the gunman three years in the past.

The system may even enable officers to gather video from non-public companies and residents and put it into the system.

“It additionally provides our officers a layer of safety in opposition to false accusations,” Cross stated.

However that might additionally work the opposite means. Cellular phone shot by a witness two years in the past allegedly exhibits an officer smashing a driver’s automotive window. It is a part of a federal lawsuit alleging extreme drive in opposition to Aurora officers throughout a site visitors cease. The officers had no body-worn cameras at the moment.

“We can’t be in all places and can’t see the whole lot,” Aurora Police Deputy Chief Matt Thomas stated. “The group is significant in getting the proof to guard the individuals we serve.”

Police say they anticipate to have all 150 squad automobiles outfitted with these sprint cameras by the tip of the month. They hoped to have it executed sooner, however they are saying they have been unable to get chips for them due to the pandemic, which brought on the delay.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.