DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Northern District of Illinois

For Immediate Release

Friday, November 20, 2015
Zachary T. Fardon
, United States Attorney

U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon Hosts Third 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 in the Columbus Park Refectory in the Austin neighborhood on the city’s West Side.  Today’s event was the third such discussion, following up on productive sessions in December 2014 and March 2015.

“Today’s roundtable brought together passionate leaders, adult and youth, from different backgrounds who all share the common goal of improving community trust and making Chicago an even greater and safer place for all neighborhoods,”  Mr. Fardon said.  “We had a forthright and stimulating conversation about policing and community trust issues.”

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.

Among the more than 50 participants in today’s meeting were Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, and representatives from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Chicago Public Schools, KLEO Community Family Life Center, Chicago Board of Rabbis, Bowen High School, Purpose Over Pain, Apostolic Church of God, Chicago Community Trust, University of Chicago Crime Lab, YMCA, Mikva Challenge, Chicago Urban League, Bright Star Church, Chicago Violence Reduction Strategy, Westside Health Authority, Fierce Women of Faith, Bethel New Life Church, and Becoming A Man.

Chicago Field Division