CHA CEO Peterson reveals 12,000 arrests by CPD

CHA CEO Peterson reveals 12,000 arrests by CPD

Replacing CHA's cops with the Chicago Police has been a difference between "night and day," CHA's CEO Terry Peterson said on Wednesday.

He said under the Authority's watch only 1200 drug dealers and gangbangers were arrested in a year vs. 12,000 by Chicago Police for similar crimes in the same time frame.

"We're now putting individuals out who are involved in drug activity. It's like day and night. We're now doing vertical patrols in three-shifts. We have officers walking from the 16th floor to the first floors, residents are getting involved in the CAPS program, and we've got resident participation," he said.

Peterson said CHA residents want what others do in Chicago--a safe environment. "The residents are happy to see this...," he said. "The drug dealers have had to retreat because we're lighting it (the developments) up...."

Vowing to clean up public housing, Peterson said: "There is no place for drugs and gangs, and if you're involved in those kinds of activities, you have to get out of CHA.

"We will continue to increase the presence of the Police Department. We're implementing CAPS throughout the CHA." Peterson said he's just spent more than $1 million in a lighting program Mayor Daley wanted to beef up security.

"We're changing not only the perception but also changing the message of public housing which is a privilege, not an entitlement, and if you're going to be a resident of CHA, you can't be involved in drugs and gangs."

Asked about President Bush's intent to impose faith-based involvement in solving community problems, Peterson said: "I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. You have churches throughout the community...like Saint Sabina that has been at the forefront in social services in the community.... Faith-based initiatives are not new to Chicago...."

However, Peterson said Bush's threat to take away the federal funds he uses to pay for police security would place him between a rock and a hard place. He's hoping those proposed cuts won't materialize.

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