CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot is raising concerns about plans for armed security patrols in the Bucktown area.
The Bucktown Neighbors Association has been circulating information about plans for nightly security patrols in the area in response to recent carjacking and other crimes.
Block Club Chicago reported the organization has put out information suggesting “off-duty police officers” would be patrolling a defined area.
Mayor Lightfoot said she understands some neighborhoods and their businesses are troubled by the recent rash of violent crimes - carjackings and robberies in their areas. But she seemed uncomfortable with what she’s hearing.
"I need to know more about what their specific plan and scope is, but the patrolling streets, responding to crime, that's the job of the Chicago Police Department and they do it effectively. We are not going to start, because people can afford it, standing up a group of...well, I think I've said enough," Lightfoot said. "There's a slippery slope here and I am very concerned about that."
Bottom line, she said, "there will be nobody patrolling our streets other than the Chicago Police Department."
In a statement, the P4 Security company that’s been hired said it will use off-duty police officers who will observe and report and call 911 if a crime is witnessed.
The Neighbors Association wasn’t publicly offering further details.
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