CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Illinois State Police now have several high-powered rifles after they were discovered in a south suburban park district police department.
Nine M16 rifles were in a locked safe in the Chicago Heights Park District Police Department. After the city disbanded the agency this week, CBS2 said they were handed over to state police. Mayor David Gonzalez said the five part-time officers never made an arrest in the six years the department existed.
“They're meant for, I believe, military. I don't see any reason why a part-time park district police officer would need that type of arsenal,” Gonzalez said.
He said the guns were not listed on any inventory. The city decided to eliminate the department – and its $300,000 budget.
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