It looks like Lightfoot has been watching too many old mobster movies. The Chicogan mayor has made an odd claim for how she wants to fight crime. She wants to start suing gangs. What is she going after, their lunch money?
“The plan would allow for the city’s lawyers to file the lawsuits. A judge could order the forfeiture of money or property that is directly or indirectly related to street gang activity.
Mayor Lightfoot has pitched the plan as a vital tool in the fight against gun violence in Chicago. CBS 2 Investigator Megan Hickey on Tuesday looked into the question of whether such an effort would really work.
These types of gang lawsuits are not unheard of. They have been used at the federal level and for several years in Kane and DuPage counties.
But legal experts worry that in Chicago, such lawsuits would be futile.
“In federal court, you’re dealing with organized street gangs – in many cases involving individuals that are in their 30s, sometimes even in their 40s – that are moving large amounts of drugs,” said Eric H. Sussman of Reed Smith LLP, a former federal prosecutor.
Sussman said to me these types of gang lawsuits have been successful in his experience in federal court. But he said the gangs that would be targeted in Chicago — “approximately 100 street gang factions,” according to the proposed ordinance filed on Tuesday – are different.
“In state court, most of these 15- and 16-year-olds they can’t even identify aren’t even subject to adult criminal prosecution,” Sussman said.”
But this is just Lightfoot’s latest ridiculous move in her attempt to take on the crime issue. Lightfoot seems to almost be encouraging crime with her attitude.
“Some might blame [Lightfoot’s] policies that hamper police efforts, like her move to require cops to get permission to chase suspects on foot.
Others might focus on her penchant to blame guns and not criminals for shootings, as she did in the killing of Officer Ella French.”
This plan would have merit if you are talking about a cartel or the mob where there are older members. But many of Lightfoot’s gangs are all just teens and they don’t have assets to acquire. So it really is a weak plan.