The Chicago Journal

Police Department Mourns as Third Police Officer Succumbs to Suicide

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on July 18, 2022

Warning: the following content contains the sensitive topic of suicide. If you feel suicidal or know someone who has talked about suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line by messaging TALK to 741741.

The Chicago Police Department is mourning the recent suicide of another officer, marking the department’s third suicide in weeks.

Statements from the Department and Fraternal Order of Police

The department shared their grief with a statement,  “The Chicago Police Department is mourning the loss of the off-duty sergeant who succumbed to his injuries today.”

The officer was in serious condition on Saturday after his attempt.

The Fraternal Order of Police also tweeted: “We’re devastated. Two of our members recently died by suicide and we just got word that a third member died by suicide earlier today.”

Attached to the tweet was a quote from former department member and FOP President John Catanzara.

“We can always do a better job of looking out for our brothers and sisters in trying to pay attention to possible crisis moments that we can intervene,” the quote read. “This isn’t a fool proof system, we’re never going to stop it 100%, but we certainly can try. And we owe it to our brothers and sisters wearing the badge to do just that.”

Statistics

The CPD has reported more than a dozen suicides since 2018, while a 2017 Justice Department report stated that the CPD’s suicide rate was 60% higher than the national average.

The most recent report comes the day after another policeman was found dead in his home weeks after another killed herself.

Read also: Gun Violence in the North and South Areas of Chicago Leave Six Wounded Over the Weekend and One Dead

Previous reports

Fifth District Officer Durand Lee was found dead at his residence on Friday, according to Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that his death was a suicide. The coroner identified Lee on Friday afternoon.

On the morning of July 2, the Cook County coroner’s office reported that 29-year-old Patricia Swank had committed suicide.

Read also: Gun Violence is Turning America Into “Killing Fields,” Says President Joe Biden

Additional statements

The third officer’s identity has not yet been released, but the department shares his emotional feelings by contacting the city, saying:

“We ask that the city wrap its arms around this sergeant’s loved ones as they mourn his loss. Please take a moment to pray for the men and women of CPD, who are grieving alongside this sergeant’s family.”

Former police officer Jamay Nellum-Fane also intervened, saying: “It’s very heartbreaking to know that an officer was under so much stress, so depressed, they felt that they’re only way out is to take their life.”

Nellum-Fane served the department for more than 16 years and retired in early April. He added that the emotional stress of being a police officer has become more urgent.

“The days off being canceled, and then we have to be real – the stress that our officers are under responding to calls – person with a gun, person shot, domestic battery, child abuse, sexual assault,” she said, explaining that stress led her to retire.

“I went through that dark period, facing depression, facing PTSD, facing post-traumatic stress,” explained Nellum-Fane. “It was just too much. It was over-bearing.”

Jamay Nellum-Fane echoed the sentiments of the FOP, saying,  “I think they have to be more creative and actually assign maybe counselors, social workers, whatever the case is, to actual districts.”

The Chicago Police Department tweeted, saying:

“We are in the midst of the most difficult and challenging time to be a Police Officer in this country. Officer well-being and overall mental health is our top priority.”

“Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP and Professional Counseling Division provides free and confidential programs to all active and retired department members and their families,” they added.

“We stand with our officers.”

Warning: the following content contains the sensitive topic of suicide. If you feel suicidal or know someone who has talked about suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text the Crisis Text Line by messaging TALK to 741741.

References:

3rd Chicago police officer dies by suicide this month, department announces

Chicago police officer found dead in home ruled suicide

Chicago police officer killed in suicide ID’d by medical examiner

Gun Violence is Turning America Into “Killing Fields,” Says President Joe Biden

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on July 18, 2022

On Monday, President Joe Biden released a statement on rampant gun violence across the country, saying it was turning America into “killing fields.” He also talked about signing the first major federal gun safety legislation in more than three decades.

Biden’s signature on gun safety marks an important start, but he acknowledged that more needs to be done to reduce the alarming number of shootings.

“Now’s the time to galvanize this movement because that’s our duty to the people of the nation. That’s what we owe those families in Buffalo, where a grocery store became a killing field. That’s what we owe those families in Uvalde, where an elementary school became a killing field. That’s what we owe those families in Highland Park, where on July Fourth, a parade became a killing field,” the President started.

“That’s what we owe all those families represented here today and all over this country the past many years across our schools, places of worship, workplaces, stores, music festivals, nightclubs, and so many other everyday places that have turned into killing fields.”

Read also: Gun Violence in the North and South Areas of Chicago Leave Six Wounded Over the Weekend and One Dead

Biden received the families of the victims of the Columbine shootings in Highland Park at a White House event to celebrate the federal gun safety legislation signed into law in June. The latest law is the most important to tackle gun violence since the ban on assault weapons expired 28 years ago in 2004.

The President also acknowledged that the law fell short of what he and his party were advocating to stop the number of shootings in the country.

“It will not save every life from the epidemic of gun violence, but if this law had been in place years ago, even this last year, lives would have been saved,” said Biden. “It matters. It matters. But it’s not enough and we all know that.”

During his speech, Biden was interrupted by Manuel Oliver, whose son was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Since then, Oliver has criticized the government’s crackdown on gun violence, saying the new gun safety law doesn’t go far enough.

At the event, the President said he had spent so much time with the victims’ families over the years that he had become “personal friends” with them. Biden also thanked the families for advocating for tougher gun control measures. He praised them for their activism in the face of loss and for making a difference.

“I especially want to thank the families that Jill and I have (met), many of whom we sat with for hours on end, across the country,” he said. “There’s so many we’ve gotten to know who’ve lost their soul to the epidemic of gun violence. They’ve lost their child, their husband, their wife.”

“Nothing is going to fill that void in their hearts. But they led the way so other families will not have the experience and the pain and trauma they’ve had to live through.”

The bill, titled The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, was introduced by Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democratic Senators Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

The bill was created in response to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York.

Read also: A Second Attack Was Planned Following the Independence Day Shooting in Highland Park

People of Color Believe Cryptocurrency Will Serve as a Better Alternative Rather Than Traditional Banks

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on July 18, 2022

Despite the unpredictability of the cryptocurrency market, many enthusiasts (especially Black crypto enthusiasts) believe that it can become an alternative financial system.

History has shown that people of color have always been underfunded and discriminated against by more established financial institutions. Research from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation supports this argument by reporting that low-income black and Hispanic families have minimal access to banking services.

The Federal Reserve reports that 40% of Black Americans may or may not be banked, 13% are unbanked, and 27% depend on other financial services.

Terri Williams, president, chief operating officer and owner of OneUnited Bank, said “banking in the dark” is a term used to describe discriminatory banking practices. 

Read also: Buy Now, Pay Later to Arrive in Decentralized Lending Protocol Teller

“There are many reasons for the large percentage of unbanked or underbanked Black Americans, including lower median income and education, less access to banking services due to a lower concentration of bank branches and a higher concentration of check cashers in Black communities, and systemic racism,” she shared.

Although there are Black banks, many still struggle to get enough funding for their investments and don’t have the same resources as the big banks.

Olayinka Odeniran, founder of the Black Women Blockchain Council, says cryptocurrency has become a space where communities of color can support each other and connect without worrying about the bureaucracy of financial systems.

“Everybody always felt that we don’t really care about investing or budgeting,” said Odeniran. “But in essence, we do. It’s just that historically, we have not had resources that allow us to tap in beyond risk, gaining some monetary freedom that’s beyond paycheck to paycheck.”

Despite recent crashes, many still believe cryptocurrency is a better alternative.

The Pew Research Center reports that Blacks, Hispanics and Asians are more likely to say they have been involved in cryptocurrency.

Cleve Mesidor, executive director of the Blockchain Foundation, revealed that people of color use cryptocurrencies as “an alternative financial system to exploit” without suffering the typical discrimination of banks.

“People of color sometimes have difficulty going to get a bank loan or going to get some sort of assistance from the government or a way to start their business and they’re turned down,” crypto enthusiast Steven Bumbera shared. “Crypto doesn’t care.”

Other cryptocurrency enthusiasts share that the benefits of managing money with blockchain technology outweigh the risks. Crypto loans allow borrowers to get money from a money changer or credit agency without racial discrimination.

“If you are on chain, and you have a wallet address, you’re a wallet address – that’s it,” said Bumbera. “Crypto doesn’t care about color, race, sexual orientation.”

Enthusiasts believe that cryptocurrencies can be used to directly fund companies and organizations without penalizing third-party donations when transferring money. As more people of color enter the market, Terri Williams warns that the new financial limits also come with risks and challenges.

“Crypto is not a competitor to traditional banking, but a complement,” she said. “There will continue to be a need for traditional banking services, but crypto, in moderation, can provide opportunities for wealth building and opportunities to develop new services – such as remittance services – that can better meet the needs of the Black community.”

Recent Crypto Market Crash Should Serve as a Wake-up Call According to Michael Hsu

Gun Violence in the North and South Areas of Chicago Leave Six Wounded Over the Weekend and One Dead

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on July 18, 2022

Gun violence across America continues as Chicago becomes its latest victim when two people were seemingly engaged in a shootout in South Austin on Saturday while later that morning a shooting from a passing car rocked the River North neighborhood.

South Austin

Two people with gunshot wounds were found in South Austin Saturday night.

The 31-year-old was shot in the face and later transported to Mt. Sinai, where he died. The second man was shot and wounded in the leg, arm and chest, leaving him in serious condition.

An investigation indicates that the two victims may have exchanged gunshots. However, the incident is currently under investigation with Area Four detectives on the case.

North River

Meanwhile, authorities report that a shooting took place in block 400 of North State Street at 1:11 am. The officers who complied with the shooting request found four victims on the spot.

Among the victims is a 29-year-old man who was shot in the neck, jaw and chest. A 41-year-old man suffered a laceration in his leg, a 27-year-old man was shot in the foot. The latest victim, a 40-year-old woman, was hit in the legs and knees.

All four victims were taken to hospital. The 29-year-old has suffered the most and is currently in critical condition. The 40-year-old woman was found in fair condition, while the other two were in good condition.

Authorities interviewed a witness who said the shooter was driving a white sedan when they opened fire. After the shooting, the car escaped south.

Police are currently investigating the situation and looking for suspects.

The shooting isn’t the first, as River North witnessed another shooting incident three weeks ago that left two people injured.

Two men, aged 29 and 20, were shot by an unknown assailant in a black Jeep fleeing north on State Street.

While the younger man sustained a thigh injury and was treated on the spot, the 29-year-old man sustained a thigh injury and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition. 

The downtown shooting took place in the 18th ward, where the homicide rate went up to 100% and the shooting rate increased by 53%. The district has a total crime rate of 71%, which includes burglary, car theft, robbery, assault and theft.

President Joe Biden Responds to the Parade Shooting in Highland Park, Illinois

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on July 18, 2022

This year’s 4th of July celebrations were marred by a mass shooting in the United States. President Joe Biden initially shared an upbeat and reassuring statement for the citizens, but when news of the Highland Park shooting reached the White House, he quickly responded.

“Jill and I are shocked by the senseless gun violence that has yet again brought grief to an American community on this Independence Day,” Biden said in a statement on Monday.

Read also: Assault Weapon Ban “Rational” for Gun Control, Says President Biden

Six people died, and more than 30 were injured in a shooting during a July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois.

Biden stressed that he had “urged federal law enforcement to participate in the urgent search for the shooter” while emphasizing the recently signed gun safety law.

“But there is much more work to do,” the President added. “I’m not going to give up fighting the epidemic of gun violence.”

Referring to the signed legislation, Vice President Kamala Harris also chimed in and said: “Today’s shooting is an unmistakable reminder that more needs to be done to address gun violence in our country.”

On Monday night, Biden observed a brief moment of silence during a July 4th picnic at the White House. He also shared that he spoke to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and the Mayor of Highland Park, Nancy Rotering.

Earlier that afternoon, Biden referred to the new gun safety law and the Illinois shooting during comments commemorating the holiday with military families at the White House, saying, “You all heard what happened today. Each day we’re reminded there’s nothing guaranteed about our democracy, nothing guaranteed about our way of life.”

The tragedy of July 4th only adds to the number of growing challenges in the country, including inflation and increasing gas prices. In addition, a recent poll found that most Americans on both parties are dissatisfied with the state of the country.

However, President Joe Biden tried to reassure Americans by saying, “I know it can be exhausting and unsettling, but tonight I want you to know we’re going to get through all this.”

Earlier that day, Biden released an optimistic statement to tell people that better days still lie ahead.

“The Fourth of July is a sacred day in our country – it’s time to celebrate the goodness of our nation, the only nation on Earth founded based on an idea: that all people are created equal,” tweeted Biden. “Make no mistake, our best days still lie ahead.”

Read also: A Truck with 50 Dead People Found at an Intersection in San Antonio

8 Tips to Follow for Better Time Management at School

Edward Anderson Edward Anderson on July 18, 2022

Time management is an important discipline that everyone will need to use eventually. Schools are an excellent training ground for time management, but not all students can apply the strict discipline. Instead, they can take things one step at a time by following the list below to strengthen their core.

  1. Set goals

It always begins with a thought, and setting goals is a good precursor to better time management as it gives them something to work towards.

  1. Make a to-do list

With the goals in place, the next thing students have to do is make a to-do list, literally. While keeping tasks in mind is something we all do, having a physical list of things to do can eliminate forgetfulness and give students a source of catharsis when they cross off the tasks they completed.

  1. Prioritize the tasks

The list can be arranged in any way that students want, but for better time management, it is best to list down tasks according to their urgency. The A-B-C method is a perfect example of priority management. The method including writing down the tasks and then assigning them to A, B, or C:

A – highest priority

B – moderate priority

C – can be done later

  1. Use the calendar

The school year is long and regular classes and exams are typically sandwiched between events and holidays, giving students an idea of when they can relax. In addition, it gives them an edge as they can use their calendars to plan ahead for assignments.

  1. Always stay on your toes

With the number of classes, assignments, exams, and events that come with the school year, tasks are apt to change abruptly, ruining a well-prepared schedule. But that should be expected, and students will have to learn to adapt to change. It’s important to be flexible not just with time but with prioritizing tasks.

  1. One task at a time

Multitasking is something that most students have been practicing, and while it can save time, it can also lead to burnout. Completing tasks one at a time can help increase better results thanks to a better focus.

  1. Don’t forget to breathe 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the number of tasks at hand, but it’s important to take a moment to take a break and breathe. Moving from one task to another without any breaks can lead to burnouts, causing more delays and leading to anxiety. With frequent breaks, you’ll be able to calm your mind enough to get things done.

  1. Join a study group

Doing things alone can be overwhelming, but study groups or even getting a study partner can help push procrastination away and even benefit students who share the same classes.