The demand for justice was the common theme among dozens of angry citizens who addressed the North Chicago City Council on Thursday seeking reform of a police department that has weathered multiple accusations of excessive force in recent years.
Following their emotional comments in front of an overflow crowd, the City Council voted 4-3 to suspend the police chief — a move that was promptly halted by Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., who said the chief will stay in place until investigations into a new allegation of police brutality are completed.
Hundreds of people packed the City Council chambers, lining the walls and spilling into the lobby, during a special meeting prompted by the Nov. 13 death of Darrin Hanna.
Hanna died days after he was injured, apparently by police who responded to a domestic disturbance at his home.
“What we need in this town is what we used to have: justice,” said Stretha “Van” Alston, 61, who received a payout from the city, records show, after he was apparently beaten during a 2009 traffic stop.
A video of the traffic stop was shown during the meeting. “I’m still healing. There are some bad nights I can’t sleep,” he said.
The death of Hanna, whom relatives admit had a troubled life and a lengthy arrest record, has galvanized family members and others in the community to seek an overhaul of the Police Department. Many are calling for police Chief Mike Newsome to be removed. Others want specific officers to be held accountable, even if that involves criminal charges.
The Rev. Gerald Wilcoxon, the pastor of Mount Sinai Baptist Church in North Chicago, said he knows the chief to be a “man of integrity. We need to go after the officers who violated the law.”
The public cries for change in the Police Department have been joined by two of Hanna’s relatives who hold local political office — Ald. Bonny Mayfield and Democratic state Rep. Rita Mayfield, whose district includes North Chicago and Waukegan.
Hanna died a week after officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at his home Nov. 6. No cause of death has been cited pending further tests, but Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey said Hanna suffered multiple trauma and had been shocked with a Taser or another brand of electroshock weapon.
Hanna had a long criminal history, including 1992 and 2010 convictions for obstruction of justice in Lake County and several for retail theft, according to court records. Warrants were issued in October accusing him of domestic battery and aggravated battery.
Dan Hinkel and Robert McCoppin are staff reporters; Ralph Zahorik is a freelance reporter.
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