Politics & Government
AG William Barr: 500 Arrested In 'Operation Legend' In Chicago
The Attorney General said the federal operation has dramatically reduced crime rates in Chicago since it began in late July.
CHICAGO — Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday addressed the public and provided an update on "Operation Legend" in Chicago. The operation is a federal initiative aimed at driving down violent crime.
Barr said federal agents along with officers with the FBI, ATF, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security were sent to Chicago on July 22 to "drive down violent crime" in the city.
Since the operation began, more than 500 people have been arrested for violent crimes like homicide, sexual assault and robbery. Of those arrests, 124 people are facing federal charges with 90 related to firearms and 30 related to drug trafficking.
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Through "Operation Legend," Chicago police have received over $9 million through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program along with another $3.5 million in "technical assistance to support expanded anti-crime operations."
Barr said the operation has resulted in a decrease in murders over the five weeks since federal enforcement began in Chicago with the city's homicide rate now as low as it was in April.
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