Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Tuesday, August 22, 2017.
- An inside look at the Chicago Police Department’s mysterious strategic subject list
The Chicago Police Department’s highly confidential Strategic Subject List is “very good at predicting who will be the perpetrators or victims of gun violence,” according to CPD superintendent Eddie Johnson. Police claim that the list of “at-risk” individuals, as determined by a computer algorithm, is used just to assess risk and to connect people with social services and to provide as an “investigative resource” for police, but documents show otherwise, Chicago magazine reports. Among its findings: more people on the list end up arrested than are offered help through social services; more than half of the black men aged 20 to 29 in the city are on the list; entry on the list is based on arrests instead of convictions; and officers are arresting more people with a SSL score in heavily policed neighborhoods. “It’s really critical that when people use these sort of tools they use them in ways that are appropriate,” Miles Wernick, head of the Illinois Institute of Technology team that created the algorithm the list is based on, told the magazine. “It should never be used to arrest people, harass people, or take any sort of punitive actions based on some computer algorithm.” [Chicago]
- CPD expands body camera program to three more districts
The Chicago Police Department is expanding its body camera program to officers in the Grand Central, Grand Crossing, and Chicago Lawn districts, the mayor’s office announced Monday morning. By the end of 2017, every police officer on the streets will have a body camera, according to DNAinfo Chicago. “Body cameras offer a firsthand look into the dangers face officers every day and will allow us to see what we’re doing right and where we can improve our training and tactics,” Chicago Police Department superintendent Eddie Johnson said. “We will continue to make investments that make our officers safer and build community trust.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Former Northwestern professor accused of murder is “trying to remain hopeful”
Former Northwestern University professor Wyndham Lathem is “trying to remain hopeful” as he sits in Cook County Jail, according to his attorney Adam Sheppard. Lathem and Oxford University employee Andrew Warren murdered Trenton Cornell-Duranleau July 27 as part of a murder-suicide sexual fantasy, according to prosecutors. Sheppard disputes the prosecution’s narrative, which he said “seems to rest on Warren’s statements to police,” according to the Tribune. “He’s a brilliant person,” Sheppard said.”We hope he’s treated with the respect and open-mindedness he deserves.” [Tribune]
- The vandalized Lincoln statue in Englewood was torched again
Vandals torched a statue of Abraham Lincoln in Englewood for the second time in a week Saturday morning, according to alderman Raymond Lopez. Lopez is asking the city to move it to the West Englewood Library, where it will be safe, and is planning to start a GoFundMe page to pay for its restoration. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- A street hockey rink is coming to Kennedy Park thanks to the Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Park District are bringing an outdoor street hockey rink to Kennedy Park. The rink will be located at at 11320 S. Western, in Morgan Park, and construction is expected to start in September, according to DNAinfo Chicago. “I am very excited. I am excited that the Chicago Blackhawks will be investing in our community,” alderman Matt O’Shea said. “It is no secret that the Blackhawks have a tremendous following on the South Side.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Los Angeles’ Dog Haus is planning to bring its gourmet sausages to Chicago
Dog Haus, a Los Angeles-based gourmet sausage restaurant chain, is planning it open its first Chicago location at 2464-66 N. Lincoln. The former home of New York Wing Factory is currently under construction, and the restaurant should be open by the end of the year. [Eater Chicago]