CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A South Side alderwoman is demanding that the Chicago Housing Authority fire a private firm that provides security at the Wentworth Gardens development near Guaranteed Rate Field.
Alderwoman Pat Dowell said AGB Security is failing the people of Wentworth Gardens, not patrolling the grounds, not calling 911 often enough, and she wants the firm fired.
"The residents are living in a war zone. That is unacceptable. We do not live in a war zone. Enough is enough," Alderwoman Dowell said. "We've had three meetings in my office with the CHA and the 9th District police department with the residents, and the residents are simply tired. They are demanding, and I support their demand, for AGB Security be removed from their contract with the CHA."
She shared a story that a constituent shared with her about her children living in fear.
"We have a lot of young people, a lot of babies living at Wentworth Gardens, and one of my constituents sent me a text on Facebook this morning to basically say that her 6-year old is saying 'no mommy, no mommy, no mommy, we can't go outside, because we are going to get shot.' And her 16-year old who was an athlete is afraid to go outside. People should not live in fear like that," Ald. Dowell said.
Ald. Dowell said there have been four homicides and five people wounded in shootings, and residents have called 911 for shots fired 449 times this year.
WBBM Newsradio asked AGB Security for comment. The CHA said the firm’s contract expires in November and it's working on the procurement process for when it does.
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