How will Rockfords crime surge impact the search for new police chief?
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Nine people have been murdered in the first seven months of 2021 as the City of Rockford continues to deal with a rash of shootings. The latest took place last night outside the Walgreens on 11th Street, where a man was killed. Another man was killed earlier in the day, on Lexington Avenue. The city is currently on par with homicide rates from 2019 and 2020, which saw 10 and 11 homicide by this time, respectively. That gun violence will likely be a priority for whoever becomes the citys next police chief. Rockfords Fire and Police Commissioners are looking not only for the replacement for retired Chief Dan OShea, but also a Fire Chief as well. Rockford resident Bob Babcock says hes worried about the recent crime in Rockford. The only direct connection between law enforcement and crime is that theyre there to clean up the mess when our society has failed, he said. As the search continues for the new chief, Babcock says he doesnt foresee a new chief being able to do much to stop the recent shootings, robberies and murders. Im not so sure a police chief is going to be able to solve a crime problem per se, Babcock said. I think the crime problem is a problem of the trauma and stress in our society and the reality that we live in a relatively low income area.  Fire and Police Commissioner Sam Schmitz says they are looking at candidates who will understand the citys problems. [Were looking for someone who] has experienced some of the turmoil our world  currently we exist in  so certainly thats going to be a key criteria. and not only experienced it, but how has it been handled in the current municipality that theyre working in, Schmitz said. We would hope that each candidate who has applied has done their research on Rockford and wants to be involved, to help make our community all that it can be, he added. Schmitz says transparency and forging relationships between police and the public are extremely important. I think were almost like the Phoenix rising from the ashes, so Im very hopeful, Babcock said. I see a lot of people who care here and thats wonderful, and thats why I love Rockford.  An outside firm is currently sorting through candidates. IOS is asking community members to submit questions to the email addresses listed below by midnight on July 22, 2021. IOS will compile these questions and present them to the candidates during the live, virtual forums. Fire Chief: RockfordFD@iosolutions.com  Police Chief: RockfordPD@iosolutions.com