Chicago Police Station Decompresses as Winter Nears
In an effort to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and prepare for the approaching winter, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has successfully cleared all asylum-seekers from one of the city’s most crowded police stations. The 18th District station, located at Division and Larrabee streets, was decompressed over the weekend as part of the city’s plan to relocate the migrant population from police stations to more permanent brick-and-mortar shelters.
The move comes shortly after Mayor Johnson unveiled a series of new protocols designed to tackle the crisis. One such measure is a 60-day shelter limit policy aimed at encouraging migrants to seek more permanent housing options. Additionally, plans are underway to crack down on rogue buses that drop off asylum-seekers without the city’s prior knowledge.
While advocates for migrants commend the initiative to shift them out of police stations, they express concerns over the potential consequences of the 60-day shelter policy. Some worry that this may result in migrants finding themselves back on the streets in mid-January.
Despite a slower influx of migrants compared to previous months, the Johnson administration acknowledges the need to redirect incoming migrants who wish to settle elsewhere. However, it remains unclear whether these efforts will involve subsidized tickets out of the city.
The relocation of migrants from the Near North police district station mirrors similar efforts taking place in other stations across Chicago. City officials and volunteers have reported a significant decrease in the migrant population in these areas.
The recent developments reflect the evolving response of the Johnson administration toward the thousands of asylum-seekers who pose a substantial challenge for the mayor. While emphasizing the city’s values as a welcoming place, Mayor Johnson must also prioritize the needs of current residents.
According to Mary May, Johnson’s emergency communications spokeswoman, the city is actively seeking suitable sites, including base camps and brick-and-mortar shelters, as alternatives to having new arrivals sleep outdoors or occupy police stations and airports. The goal is to decompress all police districts and provide adequate shelter for new arrivals.
During the summer, police stations and O’Hare International Airport served as gathering spots for migrants, especially from Venezuela. These locations became so overcrowded that some migrants resorted to setting up tents outside. However, as temperatures dropped in recent weeks, the city took steps to discourage these temporary encampments.
As of Monday afternoon, approximately 1,600 individuals remain camped out across 20 police districts, while the belongings inside the Near North station and the tents that once dotted the sidewalks have been cleared. The success of the decompression efforts at the 18th District hinges on the city’s ability to cope with the ongoing, albeit reduced, number of buses arriving from southern states in the U.S., among other factors.
This news underscores the commitment of the Johnson administration to address the challenges posed by the influx of asylum-seekers. By prioritizing the relocation of migrants to more suitable shelters, the city aims to ensure their safety and well-being as the winter season approaches.
