Patrick Smith
Reporter, Criminal Justice
Patrick Smith is a criminal justice reporter for WBEZ. Before joining the criminal justice desk, Patrick produced All Things Considered and Morning Edition for WBEZ. He joined WBEZ as an intern in 2013 and never left.
Patrick has a B.S. in news reporting and writing from Columbia College Chicago. His reporting has won awards from the Associated Press, the Chicago Headline Club, the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Chicago Bar Association and others.
Patrick grew up a few miles north of Detroit. He now lives in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
When West Garfield Park shows up in the news, it’s often accompanied by a crime statistic. Chicago media tends to fixate on violence in the area, but community members offer a bigger story. “If we can get rid of the violence, we’ll have the best community in the world,” says LiFE Rrestaurant owner Joe Black. He is just one of many residents who continue to invest in the neighborhood when others might choose to leave. In this episode, we hear from Black and record shop owner Marie Henderson on why they’re committed to their West Garfield Park communities.
Kim Foxx announced earlier this year she wouldn’t seek reelection for a third term.
As Cook County State’s Attorney, Foxx has faced intense scrutiny. WBEZ’s Patrick Smith analyzes her decision to step down. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith and Lauren Frost
