Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Chicago Police Department

A close examination of CBS footage shows the cabbie (behind reporter) may have blown a red light. This screen shot shows the north-south Walk signal was activated just before the collision. Image: CBS

Once Again, Police Assume a Bike Crash Was Solely the Victim’s Fault

By John Greenfield | Feb 28, 2017 | 6 Comments

After a bike crash was inadvertently captured by a news crew, police ticketed the cyclist for blowing a red. But closer examination shows the cabbie may have disregarded his signal as well.

The intersection of Wellington and Racine. Photo: John Greenfield

After an Officer Seriously Injured a Cyclist in Lakeview, Police Blamed the Victim

By John Greenfield | Feb 15, 2017 | 17 Comments

The CPD argues the cyclist was at fault, claiming that she ran her stop sign. However, her attorney says the truth about the crash has yet to be determined, and the CPD's refusal to accept responsibility is yet another example of our city's larger problem of police accountability.

Witnesses: Officer Who Ran Red, Injured Cyclist Didn’t Use Lights or Sirens

By John Greenfield | Jun 15, 2016 | 12 Comments

According to the Chicago Police, an officer who struck and injured a 29-year-old female cyclist yesterday while running a traffic signal had activated the squad car’s emergency lights. But a witnesses says neither the car’s lights nor its sirens were on when the officer passed through the intersection, knocking the woman off her bike. The […]

Active Trans May Launch a Petition Drive to Keep The 606 Open 24/7

By John Greenfield | Mar 14, 2016 | 10 Comments

[The Chicago Reader recently launched a new weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. This partnership will allow Streetsblog to extend the reach of our livable streets advocacy. We’ll be syndicating a portion of the column on the day it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website […]

Legalizing 24/7 Commuting on The Bloomingdale Trail Would Make It Safer

By John Greenfield | Feb 24, 2016 | 30 Comments

Last summer, a Chicago Park District spokeswoman told me that, according to the park district code, it’s legal to commute on the Bloomingdale Trail at all times of day. But in the wake of the mugging of a cyclist on the greenway last Friday night, the agency seems to have flip-flopped on the issue – […]

Is Late-Night Commuting on The 606 Kosher? Police, Park District Disagree

By John Greenfield | Jun 18, 2015 | 17 Comments

The Bloomingdale Trail, aka The 606, is a 2.7-mile walking and cycling corridor that connects many destinations across the Near Northwest Side and intersects with several key bike routes. Some 80,000 residents live within a half mile of the path. As such, it’s a no-brainer that people should be allowed use it for commuting 24/7, […]

The Lakefront Trail Really Is Open All Day, All Night

By Steven Vance | May 30, 2014 | 20 Comments

Have you ever been hassled by Chicago police officers while bicycling on the Lakefront Trail after parks officially close at 11 PM? You’re not alone. Sebastian Huydts, who bicycles for most of his transportation needs, has been stopped twice this year — most recently on May 13, at about 11:15 p.m. “They actually told me […]

Eyes on the Street: Police Blocking Bike Lanes, Sidewalks

By Daniel Ronan | Apr 28, 2014 | 18 Comments

Over the past few months, I have witnessed several instances of the Chicago Police Department violating the laws they are entrusted to enforce — namely, those laws that keep bike lanes and sidewalks clear from obstructions like automobiles. In none of these instances were public safety emergencies apparent within the immediate area, nor were any […]

Dustin Valenta’s Lawyer Pressures Police to Identify Hit-and-Run Driver

By John Greenfield | Apr 2, 2013 | 9 Comments

Frustrated by what he sees as passivity by the Chicago Police Department in tracking down the pick-up truck driver who ran over bicyclist Dustin Valenta on February 8 then fled the scene, Valenta’s lawyer is attempting to force the city to identify the motorist. Attorney Michael Keating has named the city of Chicago as a […]