Feds Create Unit Dedicated to Chicago Violence

The Violent Crimes Section was launched April 1

Chicago's new U.S. attorney on Monday announced the creation of a unit within the Department of Justice's Northern Illinois office that aims to temper the city's violent crime.

The Violent Crimes Section was launched April 1 with 16 prosecutors who will focus solely on how federal statutes can be used to go after violence, said Randall Samborn, the spokesman for U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon.

The new section comes as a part of a complete restructuring for the Northern District office. The restructure includes breaking up some large divisions into new, smaller sections. The Securities and Commodities section is another new group.

Samborn said prosecutors previously devoted roughly the same resources to those crimes. He says Fardon just felt some of divisions were too large.

Before Fardon took the top post six months ago he came under pressure to ensure his office did more to help stem persistent street-level violence in Chicago.

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