There are rising concerns about the electronic monitoring system in Cook County after a disturbing incident on a CTA train. A young woman named Bethany MaGee was set on fire while riding the train. The alleged attacker, Lawrence Reed, has a long history with law enforcement, having been arrested 72 times and was on electronic monitoring for a previous crime.
Court documents revealed that Reed had broken his curfew several times before the attack. On the day of the incident, an alert was sent out notifying officials that Reed had violated his curfew. Just hourslater, he allegedly attacked MaGee.
The Cook County Chief Judge’s office has expressed serious concern over the incident. They emphasized public safety as their top priority and promised to review all actions taken regarding Reed’s case. Since a judge had denied a previous request to keep Reed detained after another violent crime, questions are arising about the effectiveness of the current monitoring system.
One immediate change being considered is reinstating a practice that reports escalated electronic monitoring alerts to the State’s Attorney’s Office. This had been paused due to concerns about the number of alerts generated. Experts suggest that monitoring systems need robust support and resource allocation to be truly effective in preventing such crimes.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office chimed in, stating that the crime reflects broader systemic issues. They noted that while the SAFE-T Act was designed to empower judges to keep potentially dangerous individuals incarcerated, it wasn’t applied effectively in Reed’s case. The Act aimed to reform the pretrial system but has faced criticism for its implementation. A recent Cook County study found that 94 percent of people released pretrial under these reforms did not commit new violent crimes.
This incident has also sparked criticism from various public figures, including Donald Trump, who criticized “liberal judges” for their decisions. Many are calling for a reevaluation of policies like the SAFE-T Act to balance public safety with judicial fairness.
Community groups, including Teamsters Local 700, have voiced strong opposition to the electronic monitoring system being shifted from the Sheriff’s Office to the Chief Judge’s office. They argue that the previous system was better equipped to handle these programs, making a case for its return.
As this situation unfolds, the safety of Chicago’s public spaces remains a critical topic. The community is standing strong behind MaGee, with support efforts through platforms like GoFundMe, highlighting a collective desire for change and improvement in public safety measures.
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