Retired Riverside Police Chief Thomas Weitzel joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft to push back on claims from state leaders and activist groups that federal immigration enforcement actions in Chicago are targeting ordinary residents. Weitzel argued that the focus of Operation Midway Blitz is firmly on violent offenders who are in the country illegally.
According to federal officials cited in the program, the multi-agency operation is targeting individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, including gang members tied to illegal firearms trafficking. Investigators say they have traced weapons sold by a Venezuelan gang in Chicago to shootings, carjackings, and homicides. Weitzel emphasized that ICE task force members begin each day with specific packets identifying convicted felons, not ordinary residents, and that arrests are directed at those violent offenders.
The chief dismissed as falsehoods the claims that families and schoolchildren are being indiscriminately targeted, saying that media coverage and statements from some politicians have fueled unnecessary fear. He criticized reports suggesting parents should be worried about ICE entering schools, calling such warnings “ludicrous.”
The conversation also turned to Illinois’ no-cash bail system, enacted under the SAFE-T Act. Weitzel described the law as a “disaster,” citing examples where repeat offenders and individuals with severe mental health issues were released despite long arrest records. He argued that the system undermines public safety, pointing to high-profile cases where offenders were released and later accused of violent crimes.
Weitzel also supported revisiting secure mental health facilities, echoing calls to provide treatment in controlled settings for those with severe psychological diagnoses who repeatedly harm others. He noted that resources are only surged during major events like political conventions, leaving everyday residents without comparable protections.
As downtown Chicago struggles with high vacancy rates and concerns about safety, city officials have launched a new marketing campaign to improve perceptions. Weitzel questioned whether promotional efforts can overcome the reality of crime and disorder, warning that residents and visitors will think twice about spending their time and money in the city unless leadership takes public safety more seriously.