Chicago looks to Twitter for answer to gun problem - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Chicago looks to Twitter for answer to gun problem

Posted: Updated:
CHICAGO -

(AP) - The city of Chicago is asking residents with ideas on how to get illegal guns off the streets to share their thoughts - in 140 characters or fewer on Twitter.

The initiative is part of Chicago Ideas Week, an annual forum for innovators, artists, scientists and others to share ideas and inspire action.

Those who think they know how to cut off the flow of illegal guns into Chicago are being asked to tweet them with the hashtag (hash)whatifchicago.

The best submitted ideas will be debated at an Oct. 11 panel discussion.

Chicago's social media director, Kevin Hauswirth, says the effort is a great example of "the potential power that social media offers city government."

According to police, 382 people have been killed so far this year, many by guns, as of the middle of September.

  • Top Stories

  • Breaking News

    Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:17:54 GMT
    NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
    Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
    Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble.  You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
    Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble.  You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
    Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
    Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!