>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHICAGO TONIGHT.

TONIGHT THE LATEST IN THE SERIES WTTW NEWS A SAFER CITY.

EVERY MONDAY IN JULY AND AUGUST WE ARE DEVOTING OUR ENTIRE PROGRAM TO THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SAFETY AS WELL.

>> WE WILL ALSO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE ONLINE COVERAGE AT WTTW.COM/SAFERCITY.

>>> TONIGHT, A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

HERE'S WHAT WE ARE LOOK AT.

A DEADLY WEEKEND IN CHICAGO BUT AN OVERALL DECREASE IN HOMICIDES ACROSS THE CITY, WHAT LEADERS SAY IS BEHIND THE DROP.

>>> IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE GUN VIOLENCE WAS DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN ILLINOIS, WHAT THAT MEANS IN REALITY.

>> CAN'T HELP CHANGE THE COMMUNITY IF I'M STILL LIVING THE SAME WAY I WAS LIVING A FEW YEARS BACK.

>> INSIDE AN ORGANIZATION TACKLING VIOLENCE BY WORKING TOTRANSFORM LIVES.

>>> AND THE HIDDEN SCARS OF VIOLENCE, A LOOK AT THE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH.

ALL OF THAT AND MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

CHICAGO TODAY BROUGHT TO YOU BY ALEXANDER NICKELS, THE JIM AND KAY NAVY FAMILY.

THE POPE BROTHERS FOUNDATION, AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT'S COVERAGE IS SUPPORTED BY THE SULING GIN CHARITIABLE FOUNDATION FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>>> CHICAGO POLICE SAY FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY GUNFIRE OVER THE WEEKEND.

BUT THIS WEEKEND'S VIOLENCE FOLLOWS THE RELEASE OF NEW CPD DATA THAT FOUND HOMICIDES HAVE BEEN TRENDING DOWNWARD.

WTTG REPORTER MATT MASTSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOMICIDES THIS YEAR COMPARED TO OTHER YEARS?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN COMPARED TO THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LAST YEAR.

301 HOMICIDES, DOWN 6% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THE NUMBER OF SHOOTINGS RECORDED IS DOWN ABOUT 6%.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SHOT IS DOWN ABOUT 10%.

BUT THESE FIGURES HAVE BEEN GROWING CLOSER TOGETHER.

THE GAPS HAVE BEEN CLOSING AS THE YEAR GOES ON.

JUNE 2023 ALONE SAW 66 HOMICIDES, THERE WERE 67 IN JUNE OF 2022.

THROUGH THE END OF MARCH, THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, HOMICIDES ARE DOWN 15% AND SHOOTINGS WERE DOWN 13%.

SO THOSE NUMBERS HAVE GOTTEN CLOSER TO LAST YEAR'S LEVELS AS THE YEAR GOES ON.

>> WHAT IS CPD AND OTHER CITY OFFICIALS SAY LED TO THE OVERALL DROP THIS YEAR, ALTHOUGH SMALL?

>> POLICE HAVE NOT POINTED TO ONE SPECIFIC THING THAT DROPPED THE SHOOTING RATES SO FAR THIS YEAR BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT FRED WALLER WHO IS ALWAYS CREDITING HIS POLICE OFFICERS, SOME OF WHOM HAVE HAD THEIR DAYS OFF CANCELED.

SINCE MAYOR JOHNSON TOOK OVER, HE IS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF STREET OUT REACH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS AS VIOLENCE HISTORICALLY INCREASES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

>> THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS COMING INTO VIEW THIS WEEK.

THE COMMISSION FINDING THREE FINALISTS FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

THEY WILL COME OUT WITH THE THREE FINALISTS AND WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

>> WE WILL KNOW THE FINALS THIS WEEK ON THURSDAY.

THIS COMMISSION IS SET TO ANNOUNCE THE FINALISTS AFTER THIS LONG SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT TO REPLACE WALLER ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.

THAT 53 PEOPLE HAD INITIALLY APPLIED.

THEY ARE DOWN TO SIX FINALISTS.

THOSE INCLUDE LARRY SNELLING WHO IS THE CHIEF OF CPD'S BUREAU OF COUNTERTERRORISM, FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF EARNEST CATO, DEPUTY SHEAF McDALA BONUS S, CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM CHIEF ANGELA BOWELING, DONNA AND SEAN BARNES WHO LEADS MADISON, WISCONSIN.

ONCE THEY ARE DOWN TO THE THREE, THEY WILL PRESENT THEM TO JOHNSON AND THEY WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO PICK OF THOSE.

>> OR IF HE DOESN'T LIKE ANY OF THOSE, HE CAN HAVE THEM START THE PROCESS OVER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>>> UP NEXT, TREATING VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE GOVERNOR PRITZKER SIGNED AN ORDER DECLARING GUN VIOLENCE A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IN ILLINOIS.

THIS WAS PART OF THE STATE'S REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY PROGRAM WHICH PUSHES $250 MILLION IN FUNDS TO THE STATE'S HARDEST HIT COMMUNITIES.

THE THREE YEAR INVESTMENT STARTED AT THE END OF 2021 DESIGNED WITH THE INTENTION OF INTERRUPTING AND PREVENTING GUN VIOLENCE.

WHAT HAS THIS LOOKED LIKE SO FAR?

TO CHECK IN ON THIS PROGRAM AND GUN VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IS YOLANDA FIELDS RGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF URBAN MINISTRIES OUT OF EAST GARFIELD PARK AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN SLAUGHTER WHO REPRESENTED THE 27th DISTRICT INCLUDING COMMUNITIES ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

HE WAS THE HOUSE SPONSOR OF THIS REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY ACT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

FIRST, REPRESENTATIVE SLAUGHTER, YOU SPONSORED THE BILL.

HOW WAS THIS APPROACHED DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS APPROACHES BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> FIRST, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON.

WE ARE EXCITED TO BE THE FIRST GUESTS OF YOUR SAFER CITIES SERIES.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON.

WE WANTED TO TAKE A BOLD TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACH, TO LOOK AT CRIME AND VIOLENCE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, AND TO LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE.

SO WHAT THAT MEANT FOR US IS FIRST, WE ESTABLISH A NEW OFFICE, AN OFFICE OF FIREARM PREVENTION.

WHAT WE DID WITH THAT WAS WE WANTED TO COORDINATE ALL OF THE PROGRAMS, SERVICES, RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES OUT OF THE STATE IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT HOW WE PARTNER AND COLLABORATE WITH STATE AGENCIES BUT ALSO IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL WAY, HOW DO WE PARTNER WITH THE CITY.

>> SO YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE NOW THAT ARE DIRECTING SOME OF THIS?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

AND YOLANDA FIELDS, WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE ON THE GROUND?

HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE YOU RECEIVED AND WHAT ARE YOU USING IT FOR?

>> WE ARE SLATED TO RECEIVE OVER $700,000 OVER THE THREE YEAR PERIOD.

WE ARE USING IT TO REDUCE HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT ISN'T JUST THAT.

IT IS PROVIDING WHOLISTIC SERVICES.

SO THAT MEANS STREET LEVEL INTERVENTION AS WELL AS YOUTH AND EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS TIE IN TOGETHER.

EARLIER TODAY, WE SPOKE WITH PASTOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS WHO CALLED FOR YEARS FOR LAWMAKERS TO DECLARE VIOLENCE AN EPIDEMIC.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE SAME FEVERISH PROCESS THAT OUR GOVERNMENT TOOK WITH COVID, WE NEED TO TAKE THAT SAME ENERGY AS IT RELATES TO VIOLENCE.

WE GOT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE TO WHAT THIS IS.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT A GUN.

PUT THAT TO THE SIDE.

THERE ARE ENOUGH GUN LEGISLATIONS ON THE BOOKS.

WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT PROPERLY.

WE NEED MASS EDUCATION.

WE NEED WORK SHOPS, WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THIS SICKNESS IS, WHAT THIS DISEASE IS.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION THAT REVEREND WILLIAMS LOST HIS OWN SON TO VIOLENCE.

REPRESENTATIVE SLAUGHTER, DOES THIS INITIATIVE REPRESENT THE FEVERISH APPROACH THAT HE IS ASKING FOR?

>> IT MOST DEFINITELY DOES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO PROI ORATIZE WAS THE ROBUST SERVICES APPROACH.

IT COULD BE JOB TRAINING, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, HIGH RISK INTERVAENGZ SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT.

AND ALSO TAKING A SMART APPROACH, TAKING A LOOK AT THE AREAS THAT ARE AT RISK, SOME OF THOSE HOT AREAS NOT JUST AROUND THE CITY BUT THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WELL.

>> I SHOULD MENTION THAT SOME VIEWERS MAY REMEMBER IN 2014, THERE WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERY INITIATIVE THAT HAD ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE THE SUCCESS OF THIS AND ENSURE THAT MONEY IS NOT GOING TO GO TO THE WRONG HANDS OR BE WASTED LIKE THAT PROGRAM?

>> IT IS SUCH A GREAT QUESTION.

AT THE CENTER OF THIS IS AN EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE EMBRACING EMERGING PRACTICES, EMBRACING BEST PRACTICES, AND SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS ENSURING THAT WE DO GET THOSE RESULTS, THERE IS A ROBUST RESEARCH COMPONENT TO THIS, UIC, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CRIME LAB, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, ALSO CHICAGO STATE WHICH IS MY NECK OF THE WOODS, THEY ARE ALL AT THE TABLE, MAKING SURE THAT WE DO THE RESEARCH AND MEASURE THE SUCCESS AND IMPACT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMS.

>> AND WHEN WE SAY TREATING VIOLENCE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE ON THE GROUND FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ORGANIZATION LIKE YOURS?

>> I THINK MANY THINGS.

IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

IT IS TAKING PEOPLE WHO BEST KNOW HOW TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY AND USING PROVEN STRATEGIES TO DO THAT.

WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL, PROVIDING SAFE SPACESES IN THE EVENING HOURS OR WHETHER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT STREET LEVEL INTERVENTION OR A FOOD PANTRY THAT CARES FOR THE BASIC NEEDS, A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH MEANS WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE TOTAL COMMUNITY AND THE TOTAL HUMAN BEING.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THIS FUNDING HAS PROVIDED FOR.

CAN YOU GET INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFICS HERE?

SOME OF THE THINGS YOU ARE ABLE TO DO NOW THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE OTHERWISE?

>> I THINK WE ARE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE REENTERING THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT AND TO SUPPORT WHETHER YOU ARE A VICTIM OR SOMEONE WHO IS ON A PRIFIAL IN THE COMMUNITY AND MARGINALIZED, THIS MONEY ALLOWS US TO MEET THOSE BASIC NEEDS.

>> WE MENTIONED $250 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS ALLOCATED.

HOW MUCH SO FAR HAS GONE OUT AND HOW MUCH TO GO?

>> RIGHT, $250 MILLION OVER THREE YEARS.

THIS REPRESENTS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY IN TERMS OF THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION EFFORT.

WE HAVE SEEN $120 MILLION COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY PROVIDERS SO FAR.

SO ANOTHER 130 MILLION THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUT THE DOOR.

180 GRANTS HAVE GONE OUT.

34 NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES HAVE GONE OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY.

COMPLIMENTS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ADMINISTRATION AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL.

>> AND YOLANDA, YOU HEARD EARLIER SOME OF THE VIOLENCE NUMBERS HAVE GONE DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE CITY NEEDS TO MAKE INTO THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS TO SEE THAT DROP MUCH MORE OVER THE LONGTERM?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE NEED COMMITTED INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT CHICAGO IS 77 NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THE MOST VIOLENCE IS HAPPENING IN ABOUT 22 OF THEM.

14 AND 15 OF THEM ARE SEEING THE MOST VIOLENCE.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE CAN SOLVE WITH INVESTMENT OVER THE LONG HAUL.

WE NEED TO SEE COMMITMENT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> INVESTMENT AND AS YOU MENTIONED, TARGETED INVESTMENT THAT IS BASED ON RESEARCH AND METRICS.

WE APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU BEING HERE TO DISCUSS THIS.

REPRESENTATIVE SLAUGHTER, AND JOLAUNDA FIELDS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> ONE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TO END GUN VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO ONE WEEKEND AT A TIME.

TONIGHT WE TAKE YOU INSIDE AN OPERATION PROVIDING YOUNG MEN OPPORTUNITIES TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES BEYOND THE STREETS.

JOANNA HERNANDEZ JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

>> FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS, THE ORGANIZATION CHICAGO TREAD HAS BEEN TACKLING GUN VIOLENCE.

THEY BELIEVE THE SOLUTION STARTS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL, GUIDING THEM THROUGH THERAPY AND EDUCATION.

>> WE TALK ABOUT THE MENTALITY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A PACKED GROUP SESSION INSIDE OF ONE OF THE NINE LOCATIONS.

OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, PARTICIPANTS LIKE DAR VEL BARNES ENGAGE IN A PROGRAM TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

>> A LOT OF THE VIOLENCE IN THE CITY HAS CAUSED ME TO FEEL LIKE I NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE IN MYSELF TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BARNES GREW UP OVER THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

OVER THE YEARS, HE HAS LOST SEVEN FRIENDS TO GUN VIOLENCE.

>> WAS THERE A POINT WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE ABOUT TO LOSE YOUR LIFE?

>> SEVERAL TIMES, SEVERAL TIMES.

I GOT SHOT WHEN I WAS 15.

VERY SCARY SITUATION.

I GOT CHASED QUITE A FEW TIMES IN MY TEENAGE YEARS, BEING SHOT AT.

>> Reporter: BILLY MOORE THE ALUMNI MANAGER KNOWS THE TYPICAL JOURNEY YOUNG MEN FACE.

AFTER SERVING 20 YEARS IN PRISON, HE NOW HELPS OTHERS TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES.

>> PEOPLE COME FROM A SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY REDUCE OPPORTUNITIES OR NOT GIVE YOU SO MUCH ACCESS TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE MAY HAVE ACCESS TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO CRAIG, 75% OF GUN VIOLENCE TAKES PLACE IN 20 OF THE 77 CHICAGO COMMUNITIES, MOST OF THOSE AREAS ARE ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE.

>> YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO ELIMINATE PEOPLE FROM USING GUNS AND SHOOTING PEOPLE.

BUT WE DO WANT TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FEEL SAFER.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM TAKES RECRUITS THROUGH A VARIETY OF STAGES FROM THERAPY TO LIFE COACHING, SERVICES THAT MANY IN THE PROGRAM SAY THEY HAVE NEVER HAD EASY ACCESS TO.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS THE WRONG PERSON OR SOMETHING.

BUT NOW I'M ABLE TO REALLY COMMUNICATE AND LIKE EXPRESS MY THOUGHTS THE RIGHT WAY.

IT IS LIKE I'M COOL WITH IT.

>> Reporter: 25-YEAR-OLD STEVEN THOMPSON IS NOW IN A WHEELCHAIR AFTER BEING SHOT THREE TIMES.

HE SAID GROWING UP IN TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES LED HIM DOWN THE WRONG PATH, A VERSION OF HIMSELF HE WANTS TO LEAVE BEHIND.

>> IT HELPED SHIFT MY FOCUS BACK INTO REALITY.

>> Reporter: ONE OF HIS FOCUSES IS TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ONE ON ONE COUNSELING AND OTHER WORK SHOPS.

>> THEY HAVE NOT REALLY FACED THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THEY ARE DEALING WITH, THE TRAUMA THAT HAS BEEN PACKED INTO THEIR LIVES FROM CHILDREN ALL THE WAY UP TO YOUNG ADULT HOOD.

>> Reporter: ONLY SIX MONTHS INTO THE PROGRAM, BARNES SAYS HE IS CHANGING THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBING A FEW YEARS BACK?

WHAT WAS LIFE LIKE?

>> IT WAS HARD.

IT WAS HARD.

JUST TRYING TO KEEP MYSELF SAFE AND OUT OF TROUBLE, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> Reporter: BREAKING GENERATIONAL CYCLES IS WHAT BARNES SAID HE IS DRIVEN TO DO WITH HIS CHILDREN.

>> GROWING UP IT WASN'T LIKE EXTREMELY ENCOURAGED IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT FATHERS SHOULD, YOU KNOW, MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THEIR LIVES TO ENSURE THEY WOULD BE THERE FOR THEIR KIDS.

ALL OF THE TIME AND ATTENTION I WANTED AS A KID, I CAN NOW GIVE MY KIDS.

>> Reporter: WE ARE TOLD THAT MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THIS PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL OF CONTINUING TO CREATE AN IMPACTFUL CHANGE TO ENSURE THAT SPACES ARE SAFE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

BACK TO YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, VERY COMPELLING STORIES THERE, THANK YOU.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AND LOOK AT THE HIDDEN SCARS OF VIOLENCE, THE TOLL OF LIVING UNDER THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE HAS ON MENTAL HEALTH.

EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE IS TRAUMATIC FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED AND CAN CAUSE LONGTERM DAMAGE LEADING TO DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, SLEEP AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS AND EVEN SUICIDE.

JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE DIFFICULT ISSUES ARE CAPTAIN VOLTA AND ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO, DONALD TYLER, PSYCHOLOGIST AND DIRECTOR AT THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATION THAT WE JUST SAW.

AND ALEXA JAMES, CEO OF NOMY CHICAGO, PART OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

TYLER, I WILL START WITH YOU.

LISTENING TO THE STORIES OF THE YOUNG MEN, TELL US ABOUT THE TOLL THE VIOLENCE THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED CAN TAKE ON THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> YOU CAN SEE FROM LISTENING TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY THAT GUN VIOLENCE HAS HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON THEM EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY .

THE DIFFICULTY BEGINS WITH MOST YOUNG MEN EARLY IN LIFE, AND YOUNG WOMEN TOO.

WHERE THEY HAVE DISADVANTAGES FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD ON.

THE GUN VIOLENCE BEGINS AND WHEN THEY ARE EXPOSED TO THAT IT COMPOUNDS THE AMOUNT OF CHRONIC STRESS AND TRAUMA THAT THEY EXPERIENCE.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE IN THE PROGRAM HAS SEVERAL LOVED ONES WHO HAVE DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

MOST OF THEM HAVE WITNESSED NUMEROUS SHOOTINGS AND KILLINGS.

AND MOST OF THEM HAVE SHOT AND KILLED OTHERS WHICH IS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AND A HEAVY LOAD THEY BEAR.

>> IT WOULD SEAM TO BE THAT THE TRAUMA REQUIRES A SPECIAL APPROACH.

SO WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH KIDS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE A BEREAVED CITY.

IF YOU THINK OF THE 315 HOMICIDES THAT OCCURRED AS OF JULY 8th IN THE CITY, EVERY HOMICIDE VICTIM LEAVES BEHIND 7 TO 10 FAMILY MEMBERS OR CLOSE FRIENDS IMPACTED BY THE LOSS.

SO JUST IN THIS YEAR WE HAVE 2200 BEREAVED CHICAGOENS.

WE KNOW WHAT WORKS IS COMMUNITY BASED ACCESSIBLE BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE THAT ADDRESSES THE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO ACCESS, INSURANCE, PROVIDED REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS, LEGAL STATUS.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS THAT IMPEDE ACCESS TO SERVICES.

WE KNOW WE NEED MORE SERVICES IN THE CITY.

WE HAVE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTERS THAT NEED TO BE REOPENED BY THE CITY TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS AND INCREASE ACCESS FOR THE BEREAVED.

>> I'M STRUCK BY ONE OF THE YOUNG MEN SAYING HE HAS LEARNED TO REGULATE HIS EMOTIONS BETTER.

IS A LOT OF THIS BUILT UP ANGER THAT YOUNG PEOPLE, WHEN THEY EXPERIENCE THIS, OR WHEN THEY ARE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPRESS IN A HEALTHY WAY?

>> SURE, BUT YOU WOULD BE TOO, RIGHT?

>> YES, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

>> IT IS FEELING DISENFRANCHISED AND FEELING UNSAFE TO STEP OUTSIDE, UNSAFE TO LET YOUR KIDS PLAY OUTSIDE.

THE FEELING THAT YOU LACK FREEDOM IN A PLACE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE OWNERSHIP, I THINK CREATES A STRESS AND ANXIETY.

ALSO THE YOUNG MAN SPOKE ABOUT NOT BEING HOPEFUL.

YOU DON'T THINK YOU WILL GET TO A CERTAIN AGE BECAUSE OF THE STATISTICS THAT ARE FLOODING YOUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS ALSO A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IMPACTING YOU.

WHAT THAT DOES TO YOUR BODY IS REALLY REDUCE OVERALL HEALTH.

SO ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE IS IMPORTANT BUT MAKING SURE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO GENERAL HEALTHCARE.

SO PEOPLE CAN TREAT CHRONIC DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, THAT STRESS IN YOUR BODY.

>> AND YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ARE OUT THERE DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE YOUNG FOLKS.

I'M SURE THAT YOU HAVE MET FOLKS THAT PERHAPS LOST THEIR LIVES.

HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN YOU ARE IN THIS SITUATION EVERY DAY?

>> WELL, IT IS DEFINITELY DIFFICULT AT TIMES.

WE ARE SO COMMITTED TO THIS MISSION.

WE ARE MOVING FOWARD TO TRY TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS WE CAN.

WE HAVE TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES OURSELVES TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK.

WE HAVE LOST MORE THAN 30 YOUNG PEOPLE SINCE WE STARTED IN 2016.

MOST OF THEM WERE KILLED BY GUN VIOLENCE, SOME OF THEM DIED FROM ACCIDENTS, SOME DRUG OVERDOSES.

SO TO DO THIS WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPOSED TO CONSTANT SEVERE THREATS TO THEIR LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS IS DIFFICULT WORK.

YOU DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AND TO LOSE THEM IS TRAUMATIC FOR US AS WELL.

WE DO OUR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES.

WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB WITH THAT BUT WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD.

>> AND KATHERINE VOLTA, YOU DID A STUDY ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION WORKERS AND HOW THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IS.

CAN YOU TELL US IT RESULTS OF THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

REPRESENTATIVE VADDER MENTIONED SOME OF THOSE AT THE TABLE.

I DID AN IN DEPTH STUDY OF INTERVIEWING WORKERS AND THE STRESS THEY EXPERIENCE.

WE DISCOVERED THAT NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE SIGNIFICANT TRAUMA BURDEN COMING INTO THE WORK, WE ARE SENDING THEM RIGHT BACK TO THE COMMUNITIES AND CONTEXT IN WHICH THE TRAUMA WAS CREATED.

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO TAKE CARE OF FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO SAVE A LIFE IN THE CITY.

WE DON'T WANT TO BURN THEM OUT.

WE DON'T WANT TO RUIN A LIFE WHILE SOMEONE IS TRYING TO SAVE A LIFE.

>> ALEXA JAMES, SPEAKING OF FRONT LINE WORKERS, YOU HAVE WORKED WITH POLICE OFFICERS.

LET'S NOT FORGET THAT WHEN THEY ARE IN THE LINE OF FIRE, THERE IS TRAUMA THEY EXPERIENCE.

HOW IS THAT PROGRAM GOING?

WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH AMONG POLICE OFFICERS?

>> YOU LOOK AT BEST PRACTICE WITH ANYTHING, TALKING ABOUT FRONT LINE WORKERS, THEY HAVE TO GAIN A LOT OF SELF CARE SO THEY CAN DE-ESCALATE THEMSELVES.

YOU DON'T WANT AN OFFICER THAT IS TENSE WALKING IN TO DE-ESCALATE A SITUATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR VALUES ALIGN WITH THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THAT HAS GOTTEN COMPLICATED FOR A LOT OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

THEY DON'T FEEL THEIR VALUES ALIBE WITH THE AGENCIES AND THAT CAN MAKE THEIR WELLNESS SEEM LESS OF A PRIORITY FOR FOR EXAMPLE.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL OF US WHO ARE HEALERS IN THE CITY HAVE SELF INSIGHT AND REGULATION AS WELL.

WE ARE HELPING OTHERS TO YOUR POINT AND WE WILL BECOME A SICKER CITY IF WE DO THAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I BROUGHT UCH IS THERE ARE SO MANY FOLKS THAT THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE IS ANY HOPE FOR THEM OR ANY LIGHT.

HOW DO YOU COUNSEL THEM THROUGH THAT WHEN IT CAN BE TOUGH OUT THERE, IT IS TOUGH TO SORT OF CLING TO ANY HOPE THAT THINGS WILL CHANGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND HELPING THEM DEVELOP HOPE IS REALLY THE FIRST THING THAT WE NEED TO ESTABLISH.

WE HAVE SO MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK FOR US THAT USED TO BE IN THEIR SHOES, RIGHT?

WHO USED TO BE INVOLVED WITH GANGS AND VIOLENCE IN THE EARLIER DAYS OF THEIR LIVES AND THEY HAVE SINCE CHANGED AND BECOME AMBASSADORS OF PEACE.

SO THEY ARE LIVING EXAMPLES THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN.

WE ALSO WORK ON A WEEKLY BASIS TO ESTABLISH NONAGGRESSION AND PEACE AGREEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN YOU ESTABLISH THE AGREEMENTS, THEY GET TO EXPERIENCE A PERIOD OF RESPITE FROM THE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN TERMS OF THE PARTICULAR GROUPS.

>> DO THOSE AGREEMENTS TYPICALLY HOLD?

>> WELL, IT IS A PROCESS TO MAINTAIN THEM BUT ABSOLUTELY.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T BUT WE WORK TO REESTABLISH THEM.

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN RESULTS, WHERE VIOLENCE HAS COME DOWN AND THERE ARE ACTIVE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS GOING ON.

WHAT CAN THE WHOLE CITY LEARN FROM THAT?

>> INTERVENTION IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE SAFETY ECOLOGY OF THE CITY.

IT IS NOT EITHER THIS OR EITHER THAT.

THEY MUST BE ENGAGED.

THEY WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH OTHER STEAK HOLDERS LIKE OUR PREVIOUS GUESTS AND THEY CAN COEXIST AND COLLABORATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL.

>> VERY IMPORTANT WORK YOU ARE DOING.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR INSIGHTS AND SHARING WITH US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT IS OUR SHOW FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US AGAIN NEXT MONDAY FOR THE NEXT PROGRAM IN THE SERIES.

FOLLOW OUR ONGOING COVERAGE ONLINE.

SIGN UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING.

YOU CAN STREAM ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS.

AND YOU CAN GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.

JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 AND 10:00.

NOW FOR ALL OF US IN CHICAGO TONIGHT, I'M PARIS JUDD, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE, AND HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> CLOSED CAPTIONING IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ROBERT A. CLIFTON