EDGEWATER — An officer on foot has been patrolling Devon Avenue in wake of the fatal daytime shooting in July of bystander Wil Lewis.
"We have been asking for it — residents have been asking for it for a while," said Marko Zaric, the 48th Ward office's public safety liaison, of the new foot-patrol officer.
A Chicago Police Department spokesman didn't respond to a request for comment, but Zaric said the death of 28-year-old Lewis, an aspiring photographer who had just moved to the neighborhood, may have been a "catalyst" for the officer's assignment.
Ald. Harry Osterman (48th) thanked Rogers Park Police District Cmdr. Thomas Waldera for the new patrolman, who will spend most of his time, during the day Monday through Friday, between Clark Street and Sheridan Road.
Devon Avenue business owners had said the shooting was unusual for the area, which typically is free of violent crime.
Chris Zimmerman, owner of Ellipsis Coffeehouse at 1259 W. Devon Ave., said Tuesday the new officer stopped in a couple weeks ago to introduce himself.
But, he said, "I still feel safe."
Foot patrol officers are also assigned to Argyle, Bryn Mawr and Thorndale avenues, Zaric said.
And "we're constantly pushing for more," he said.
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