Hillard: Kids Living With Trauma Of Shooting
CHICAGO (WBBM) -- Interim Police Supt. Terry Hillard says people in government must do more to keep children safe from the kind of gun violence that wounded two young people in the Washington Park neighborhood.
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Hillard says some people call the 13-year-old girl and her 10-year-old brother lucky, because their injuries were not life-threatening.
They were hit by stray bullets when a gunman fired into a group of men Sunday afternoon. Hillard acknowledges they'll be fine physically, but lucky?
Hillard says they will be living with the aftermath of the shootings for the rest of their lives, and the neighborhood will be affected by this incident for years to come.
Hillard also says someone who could shoot like that when children are around will shoot someone again. He says people like that need to be taken off the street.
Hillard spoke as the city outlined spring break activities for kids from kindergarten through high school.
Chicago's "Safe Haven" program has expanded to serve 3,500 students. He says the city, its sister agencies and other groups are teaming up on a variety of activities through April 25, when all public school students go back to class. The libraries, churches and other agencies are all part of the effort.
