The Chicago Latino Caucus Joins Latino Lawyers in Calling for DOJ Investigation in the Shooting Death of Adam Toledo and Increased Resources for Schools and Youth in the Latino Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2021
CHICAGO – The City Council’s Latino Caucus join Latino Lawyers in their call for the Department of Justice to deputize the U.S. Department of Civil Rights to conduct an investigation into the circumstances that led to, and resulted in, the death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, and to determine whether the constitutional and civil rights of Adam Toledo were violated.
That investigation should specifically look into the following areas:
Establish clear procedures and policies outlining the circumstances under which police officers can engage in foot chases, with criteria to discipline officers who do not follow the procedures.
There must be clear procedures and policies governing any interactions between the police and children especially when lethal force is used. No more “Adam Cases.” The police video of the shooting in Adam’s case shows a terrified 13-year-old boy running from the police, disposing of what appears to be a gun, and then complying with the officer’s commands, including stopping, turning around with his empty hands raised, and then getting shot in the chest. Adam obeyed the commands of the officer that was chasing him. Yet, he was shot in the chest and died in the alley in less than a minute after being shot. This is a tragedy that could have and should have been prevented had the police department had clear policies and procedures governing the use of lethal force against our children during foot chases.
Establish clear procedures and policies setting forth the circumstances under which police officers can engage in car chases in densely populated neighborhoods. This is especially the case when the offense involves minor traffic infractions, such as the failure to activate a turning signal, broken taillight, displaying hanging items from the rearview mirror, playing loud music, etc. These minor infractions cannot be used as a pretext to engage in high speed chases through our neighborhoods that endanger everyone in the community.
The policies and procedures that result from the investigation must then be incorporated into a consent decree with judicial oversight to ensure that they are meaningfully enforced and implemented.
“Latino youth, especially those returning to CPS Little Village classrooms after the video release of Adam’s shooting, need increased support services and safe spaces for the last quarter of the school year and over the summer months” said Caucus Member, Alderman Michael D. Rodriguez. “We demand more counselors and social workers to provide services to these traumatized youth. With the current student populations across southwest side schools, there is a need for hundreds of more social workers and school counselors”, added Alderman Rodriguez.
The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus demands that Mayor Lightfoot and CEO Dr. Janice K. Jackson target funds in excess of $80 Million to the Little Village community and other Latino community schools from the close to $2 billion dollars received from federal relief in order to meet the needs of our children. In addition, “our teenage youth need year-round jobs, that go beyond “One Summer Chicago,” we need a partnership between public and private entities to create job opportunities for our most at-risk youth”, added Caucus Chairman, Alderman Roberto Maldonado.
