Police Union, CeaseFire At Odds Over Shooting Suspect's Surrender
CHICAGO (CBS) – There is heavy friction between the Chicago police union and CeaseFire after the anti-violence organization helped a shooting suspect turn himself in earlier this week.
CBS 2's Marissa Bailey reports.
Jermaine Lewis, alongside an attorney and members of CeaseFire, turned himself into police Thursday evening. Lewis's attorney said Lewis is a person of interest the shooting of two girls near Morgan Park.
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Some say it's the non-profit's first big "get" after receiving $1 million in city funding. But some say the news conference was all show for CeaseFire.
"I'm a little skeptical about why they're throwing a press conference," says Michael Shields, president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "It's something to justify spending a million dollars and try to portray like they're doing something for society."
Bob Jackson of Roseland CeaseFire says the group was trying to prevent retaliation.
On Tuesday, Nakia Turner, 12, and Tishona Polk, 13, were playing at Cooper Park at 117th and Ada streets when gunfire erupted, injuring both girls.
CeaseFire helped get Lewis safely to investigators, but the police union president says police don't need CeaseFire's help in fighting crime.
"They're not going to wait for CeaseFire to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey, we'll go look for your guy.' Sorry, that's what Chicago police do on a daily basis," he said.
Friday, Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy reinforced his support for the CeaseFire partnership, saying any help is welcome.
He said officers were already pursuing a person of interest in that case.
No charges have been filed.
