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News
Release [print
friendly page] Chicago Target America Exhibit Now at Navy Pier FEB 9 -- (Chicago)— On February 8, 2007 a ribbon cutting ceremony officially opening the Target Chicago: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause, was held at Navy Pier. Target Chicago is part of a national traveling exhibit presented by the DEA Museum and is designed to explore the devastating impact illicit drugs have on society and provide an important look at how every one can work to break the cycle of drug abuse and drug-related violence. Lending a hand to cut the red ribbon were several members of Chicago’s business and law enforcement communities, including Chicago Police Superintendent Phil Cline, Former DEA Administrator Peter Bensinger, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Chicago Field Division Gary G. Olenkiewicz, Chief Emergency Officer for the City of Chicago Cortez Trotter, CEO of Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Juan Ochoa, Vice President of NBC News Chicago Frank Whittaker, Vice President of Motorola, Incorporated Kelly Kirwan, and David Weisz, Head of Motorola’s Law Enforcement/Homeland Security Alliances.
Target Chicago presents a historical look at the Chicago drug law enforcement community’s response to the drug threat over the past one hundred years, and the evolution of drug abuse prevention and treatment programs in the city. Federal drug law enforcement efforts began shortly after the passage of the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914. Since that time, federal law enforcement officers have created a proud tradition while carrying a variety of badges and credentials. Over the decades, federal drug law enforcement officials have worked side-by-side with local, county and state police officers to address the growing drug threat. “The DEA has a proud history of working cooperatively with our law enforcement counterparts in Chicago and it is an honor to once again be in a partnership with the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police to showcase a bit of Chicago drug law enforcement history,” stated Gary G. Olenkiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Chicago Field Division. “We are grateful to the Chicago Crime Commission as well as corporate sponsors Motorola, McDonalds, NBC 5 and others who have made this educational exhibit available to the public at Navy Pier. It is our hope that this exhibit serves as an educational tool and demonstrates that by working together, all of us can make a difference in the communities where we live.” The Target Chicago exhibit highlights some of the most significant enforcement accomplishments beginning in the early 1900s and continuing through today. The numerous enforcement successes in Chicago could not have occurred without the outstanding cooperation among law enforcement agencies located throughout the Chicagoland area. This exhibit also has a display of “Lost Talent,” which shows individuals whose lives and contributions to society were tragically cut short due to drugs and drug related violence. It includes everyday Americans as well as law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. The display will be at Chicago’s Navy Pier through September 2007. It is located on the lower level, Terrace A, adjacent to the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows.
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