ARMOUR SQUARE — Ald. Patrick D. Thompson (11th) wants more police officers walking the beat.
At a recent town hall meeting at Armour Square Park, Thompson and Deering District Police Cmdr. Daniel Godsel fielded the concerns of 11th Ward residents who told stories of slow response times from police, troubled buildings and an ever-growing cast of mischievous characters stalking the neighborhood.
“My mother can’t sit on her stoop,” one man said of his childhood home, where his mother has lived for almost 49 years. “My mother can’t sit on her stoop without anyone harassing her. … It’s ridiculous.”
“All of that is unacceptable,” Thompson said. “We have to do something. … My feeling is that we need more police.”
Thompson said that’s not enough to stomp out neighborhood crime: “I think we need even more police on top of that."
How many? Thompson wants 200 additional police officers hired.
Hiring one police officer costs about $100,000 to support a salary, benefits package and pension.
Emanuel and city aldermen have previously touted moving officers from desk duty to the streets to fight spikes in shootings and violence.
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