Chicago NPI
In Chicago, the Policing Project is working in collaboration with the Chicago Police Department and Chicago residents to pilot a Neighborhood Policing Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to improve public safety through a collaborative relationship between the police and the community they serve.
Modeled on the Neighborhood Policing Structure in New York City, the new initiative will allow CPD officers to focus on problem solving and relationship building, and will provide community members with a voice in how public safety is achieved in their community. Under the neighborhood policing initiative, neighborhood patrol officers will remain in specific geographic areas, tasked with developing positive relationships with community members, rather than simply answering 911 calls.
Rapid response units will be in place to ensure that all emergency calls continue to be addressed. Additional officers will be tasked with responding to community concerns and problems. The initiative aims to improve safety, foster problem-solving approaches, increase accountability, and promote trust and confidence in the police.
NPI began as a pilot initiative in January 2019, rolling out in District 25, which includes portions of the Austin, Belmont Cragin, Galewood, Hermosa, Logan Square, and Montclare neighborhoods. By the end of the year, the Policing Project and the Chicago Police Department began work to expand NPI to the 15th District, bringing NPI to more areas of the Austin community. The goal eventually is to extend to districts throughout the City.
Chicago NPI is jointly funded by the Joyce Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Learn more at ChicagoNPI.org.
