Protests are continuing in Mundelein, a Chicago suburb, after a local police officer fatally shot Mary Alice Love. Her family is demanding that the officer be fired, that police procedures be changed and that officers receive additional training in responding to people in mental health crises. Tensions rose after prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against the officer.
More Protests Disrupt Mundelein Officials’ Meetings
On Thursday, for the second time in a few days, protesters disrupted a meeting of Mundelein officials. Among the demonstrators were Mary Alice Love’s father and other members of her family. There was a verbal confrontation with police officers, and the meeting had to be halted.
On Monday, a protest lasted nearly two hours and led to the meeting being canceled. Town officials then decided to increase security at the next meeting and to send additional officers to the site.
The family says it will attend future meetings until the officer responsible for the fatal shot is removed from duty.
Officer Will Not Face Criminal Charges
Mary Alice Love was killed in May during a police intervention. According to her family, she was experiencing a mental health crisis at the time. A relative called police, saying she might be planning to take her own life.
Video from the officer’s body camera shows the moment the fatal shot was fired. Police say the woman had two large knives and was approaching the officer.
Last week, Lake County prosecutors announced that they would not file criminal charges against the officer. The decision set off another wave of protests.
The woman’s family has also filed a lawsuit in federal court. It alleges wrongful death, use of excessive force and inadequate training of officers.
Family Wants Changes to Police Procedures
Mary Alice Love’s loved ones are demanding more than the officer’s dismissal. They also want changes in how police respond to calls involving people in mental health crises, as well as mandatory de-escalation training.
The family is currently waiting for an internal police investigation to conclude. It is intended to determine whether the officer followed established procedures.
The Mundelein police did not respond to a formal request for comment. The police chief, who was present at the meeting, declined to be interviewed on camera.
Source: Polski.FM
