Memorial Day weekend has historically marked the unofficial start to camping season, signaling the time for many Americans to pack up their best tents and sleeping bags and enjoy the great outdoors. For many youths living in inner city Chicago, however, the weekend presents an uptick in gun violence. That's why one Chicago police officer took a group of youngsters camping over the weekend to help keep them safe.
According to reporting by ABC news, the holiday weekend incurred at least 41 shootings in the city. In anticipation of the violence, Officer Will Martinez with the Chicago Police Department’s 15th district loaded up a 15-passenger van with gear, food and young residents of the Austin neighborhood and drove two hours out of the city to pitch up and enjoy some peace.
