U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon Hosts Fourth Community Roundtable to Discuss Strengthening Trust Between the Public and Law Enforcement

CHICAGO — Civic, religious and community leaders joined top law enforcement personnel today to continue an ongoing dialogue about building trust between law enforcement and the Chicagoland community.

The Community Roundtable was convened by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.  It was held at Kennedy-King College in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side.  Today’s event was the fourth such discussion, following up on productive sessions in December 2014, March 2015 and November 2015.

“Today’s roundtable brought together fervent leaders from various experiences and backgrounds,” said Mr. Fardon.  “We all share the collective goal of cultivating community trust and making Chicago an even stronger and safer place.  We had a candid and inspiring conversation about how to maximize the resources of the many talented service providers our city has to offer, and how to better incorporate law enforcement into their efforts to serve our most at-risk communities.”

Among the more than 50 participants in today’s meeting were Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson and other top members of the Chicago Police Department, as well as representatives from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, Chicago Independent Police Review Authority, U.S. Marshal’s Service, KLEO Community Family Life Center, Chicago Board of Rabbis, Bowen High School, A Better Chicago, Purpose Over Pain, Chicago Community Trust, University of Chicago Crime Lab, YMCA, Mikva Challenge, Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago Urban League, Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, Better Boys Foundation, Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, and Becoming A Man.

The U.S. Department of Justice has made the issue of community policing a top priority.  The Community Roundtables focus on developing tangible initiatives for improving the relationship between law enforcement and the community.

Kennedy-King College, one of seven City Colleges of Chicago, is named after slain civil rights leaders Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  It is located at 6301 S. Halsted St. in Chicago.