Chicago suspect who set woman on fire a ‘career criminal’, White House says – BBC

Report on a Violent Crime in Chicago in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Summary

On November 17, Lawrence Reed allegedly attacked 26-year-old Bethany MaGee on a train in Chicago, dousing her in gasoline and setting her on fire. The victim sustained severe burns and is in critical condition. The suspect, who has an extensive criminal record and a history of mental illness, was arrested and has reportedly confessed in court. The incident has sparked a political debate concerning criminal justice policies, particularly Illinois’ “no cash bail” law.

Analysis through Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This case highlights significant challenges to achieving SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful societies and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Institutional Failures: The suspect, Lawrence Reed, had 72 prior arrests, including eight felony convictions. His release on electronic monitoring prior to this attack, despite objections from prosecutors, points to potential weaknesses in the judicial and correctional systems’ ability to manage high-risk individuals and prevent violence.
• Access to Justice: The political controversy surrounding the “no cash bail” law, cited by the White House as a contributing factor, underscores the ongoing debate on how to balance justice reform with public safety. The law itself is intended to address inequalities in the justice system, but its implementation is under scrutiny.
• Reduction of Violence: The brutal nature of the attack, described as a “terrorist attack” in court filings, is a direct contravention of the goal to significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The incident reveals critical gaps in public health systems, particularly concerning mental health services, a key component of SDG 3.

• Victim’s Health: The victim is “fighting for her life with horrific burns,” a severe outcome that underscores the devastating impact of violence on physical and mental well-being.
• Mental Health Systems: The suspect’s known history of mental illness, acknowledged by Mayor Brandon Johnson as a failure of “mental health institutions,” indicates a lack of adequate support and intervention for individuals with severe mental health challenges who may pose a danger to the community.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The attack directly impacts the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Public Safety: The incident occurred on public transportation, a vital urban service. Such events erode public confidence in the safety of shared spaces and challenge the objective of providing access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems for all.
• Community Security: High-profile violent crimes contribute to a climate of fear, undermining the sense of community and security necessary for a sustainable urban environment.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

This event can be viewed through the lens of SDG 5, which includes the target of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres.

• Violence Against Women: The victim was a young woman attacked in a public space. This act of violence, regardless of specific motive, contributes to the broader issue of gender-based violence and the insecurity women face in their daily lives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is central to the article, which focuses on a violent crime, the criminal history of the perpetrator, and a political debate about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, including policies like “no cash bail” and policing. The article details a failure to prevent violence and questions the institutions responsible for public safety and justice.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly connects the incident to failures in mental healthcare. The suspect is noted to have a “history of mental illness,” and the mayor characterizes the attack as “an absolute failure of our… mental health institutions,” highlighting the link between public health and public safety.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: This goal is relevant as the victim of the violent attack is a woman, Ms. Bethany MaGee. The incident described—a man dousing a woman with gasoline and setting her on fire in a public space—is an extreme example of violence against women.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article’s entire focus is on a horrific act of violence where a man “doused a woman in gasoline and lit her on fire.” The victim is described as “fighting for her life with horrific burns,” directly relating to this target’s aim to reduce violence.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • The article discusses the suspect’s extensive criminal history (“72 prior arrests,” “eight felony convictions”) and his release under a “‘no cash bail’ law” despite prosecutors’ objections. This raises questions about the rule of law, the effectiveness of judicial processes, and whether current policies ensure justice and safety for the community.
3. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The suspect’s “history of mental illness” and the mayor’s statement that the attack was a “failure of our… mental health institutions” directly point to this target. It implies a lack of adequate prevention and treatment for mental health challenges, which contributed to a violent outcome.
4. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article describes a violent attack on a woman, Bethany MaGee, in a public setting (a train car). This incident is a clear example of the type of violence against women that this target aims to eliminate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The specific act of violence itself—the attack where a woman was set on fire—serves as a qualitative indicator of existing violence.
   • Implied Indicator: The rate of violent crime. The discussion of this incident in the context of broader crime policies implies that the frequency of such attacks is a measure of public safety.
2. For Target 16.3 (Rule of Law and Justice):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The suspect’s criminal record (“72 prior arrests,” “eight felony convictions,” “seven misdemeanours”) serves as an indicator of recidivism and interaction with the justice system. The policy of “‘no cash bail'” and the suspect’s release on “electronic monitoring” are indicators of specific judicial processes being implemented.
   • Implied Indicator: The recidivism rate. The description of the suspect as a “career criminal” implies that a key measure of the justice system’s effectiveness is its ability to prevent re-offending.
3. For Target 3.4 (Mental Health):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The statement about the “failure of our… mental health institutions” is a direct qualitative indicator of gaps in the mental healthcare system. The suspect’s “history of mental illness” combined with his violent actions indicates a failure in treatment and support.
   • Implied Indicator: The availability and accessibility of mental health services for individuals, particularly those within the criminal justice system.
4. For Target 5.2 (Eliminate Violence Against Women):
   • Mentioned Indicator: The specific case of Bethany MaGee being attacked is a direct indicator of violence against women in public spaces.
   • Implied Indicator: The number of reported incidents of violence against women. The high-profile nature of this case suggests that such incidents are a key metric for measuring progress toward this target.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com