Rahm Emanuel announced Wednesday that gang funerals in Chicago will start to be treated like "gang events," including increased police presence, pat-downs, and searches outside of funeral homes and churches.
"Where there's a gang funeral — given that they have shown no respect for a place of worship — we're gonna change how they're gonna operate. The Police Department is gonna change the way they deal with gang funerals," the mayor said.
This comes after 21-year-old Sherman Miller was shot outside St. Columbanus Catholic Church at a funeral for another man on November 26th.
"The police saw that and they did something that they haven't done before which caught everybody off guard and they went in and started searching people, handcuffing people, it was a totally different scene," said Pastor Corey Brooks who presided over Miller's funeral.
He agrees that when gang bangers can't respect a house of worship, police have to do something. The mayor says officers will take a new approach.
"The police are going to treat gang funerals, as a gang event and people will be appropriately checked, patted down," Rahm said.
After rapper Little JoJo was gunned down in September, police had a heavy presence at his funeral. While monitoring YouTube as they often do, detective found a video they say shows Sherman Miller in the funeral procession talking with a friend about all the police while sitting in the backseat with a gun in his hand.
Pastor Brooks wonders about how gangs might react to pat-downs at funerals.
" I'm pretty sure that the anger is going to be heightened a little bit (with cops at funerals) hopefully though, if what they're trying to do works, then maybe we'll see a decline in that type of thing happening," says Brooks.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:56 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:56:25 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:39 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:39:42 GMT
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Preliminary reports show industrial chemicals seeped into Lake Michigan on Monday afternoon, causing the closure of Porter Beach. Officials said Chicago beaches are not expected to be affected.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 2:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 18:17:17 GMT
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Police ask the Albany Park/Mayfair community to be vigilant, walk in pairs and avoid strangers, after a woman was sexually assaulted Monday night near the entrance to a CTA Blue Line station.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:50 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:50:40 GMT
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Canine units were employed Tuesday, in the search for missing University of Chicago student Austin Hudson-Lapore, 20. He was last seen after taking his final exams last Wednesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:46:15 GMT
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
The last several days in Chicago have been especially violent bringing the issue to a "tipping point." More than 50 people have been shot since Friday. But what can be done to stem the violence?
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:19 AM EDT2013-06-18 15:19:16 GMT
If you are looking for a cookie form of summers refreshing watermelon, then the wait is over.
By: Zoe Sobel, FOX32 News Intern(Chicago) If you are looking for a cookie form of summers refreshing watermelon, then the wait is over. Meet the watermelon Oreo which is the newest member of their limited-edition
