The Chicago police set up what is being called a "bait truck" last week to lure people into getting arrested. The truck, full of Nikes, was driven into a low-income neighbourhood where people tried to take the shoes. Who wouldn't? The use of a bait truck in Chicago is raising eyebrows, especially considering that there's an obvious and acknowledged gun violence problem in the city. Many are wondering why the police are manufacturing more crime on purpose. Perhaps they've misunderstood the phrase "crime prevention."
Vic Mensa and his SaveMoneySaveLife foundation are going to be giving away thousands of shoes out of what they call an "anti-bait truck." Laundi Keepseagle, the executive director of Vic's foundation, said that “we wanted to do something in response, but have a positive response,” and “we don’t want to create conflict with the police, but we do want to take a step forward, and just showcase that acts like that aren’t acceptable in communities that we care for.”
Writer and activist Shaun King tweeted a video of the original bait-truck, imploring everyone to donate shoes to the SaveMoney campaign:
Vic Mensa also took to Twitter to promote the event, the date of which will be released as soon as they get all the shoes.