Key Body Camera Footage Missing After Chicago Police Officers Raid Wrong Homes, Point Guns At Children

By Dave Savini,Michele Youngerman, Samah Assad | CBS2 Chicago, April 28, 2019

During one incident, the family was in the middle of celebrating a 4-year-old’s birthday party. They say police pointed their guns at children.

On another night, a family had just sat down to eat dinner together. A child accused an officer of pointing an assault rifle at him.

And in a third incident, a woman was spending time at home with her grandchildren. She said an officer pointed a gun at her grandson’s head.

In all three cases, Chicago Police officers had the incorrect address listed on a warrant and raided the wrong home, traumatizing innocent families and children. But now, CBS 2 has uncovered more troubling information. Critical moments – and possible wrongdoing – that should have been captured on police body worn cameras are missing or were never recorded at all.

One of the wrong raids, in which officers entered a home during a child’s birthday party and are accused of pointing guns at children, occurred in State Sen. Jacqueline Collins’ 16th District, which includes the Gresham neighborhood.

“I think it’s blatant disrespect and disregard for the emotional well-being of our children,” Collins said.

Collins said the police department is failing to follow a 2015 law created in the wake of the Laquan McDonald shooting to improve transparency and trust between citizens and police. The law requires officers wearing body cameras to activate them, including before they enter a home to execute a search warrant.

“Before they even enter the residence they need to activate their body cameras,” Collins said, adding that she believes there should be discipline outlined in the law if officers do not comply.

Read the original article at CBS2 Chicago here.