CHICAGO — The Northwest Side Housing Center plans to deliver a petition asking for more police officers in the Grand Central district at a community safety meeting Thursday.
The petition argues a "shortage of police officers" and "lack of police presence" in the neighborhood, and put the number of officers assigned to Grand Central, according to Grand Central District Cmdr. Robert Lopez, at 257.
"Increasing the number of police officers in the district would be one of the most effective tools in reducing crime violence and gang presence in my community," the petition reads.
According to the Housing Center, the petition will be passed around to residents at a community safety meeting Thursday and then delivered to Ald. Ray Suarez (31st) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at Ministerio Renacer, 5300 W. Oakdale Ave., and will focus on safety issues in the neighborhood.
Last month's meeting was attended by representatives from the Chicago Police Department and more than 80 community members.
The petition also requests a Dec. 15 meeting with Emanuel to discuss the concerns.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
