LOGAN SQUARE — In keeping with Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson's promise, 13 additional police officers recently were assigned to patrol Ald. Joe Moreno's 1st Ward, the alderman said.
In an email to constituents Thursday, Moreno said the group of new officers is just a start.
"I will continue to press for additional officers, committed to the 1st by Supt. Johnson, to begin patrolling our streets expeditiously," he wrote.
The ward includes parts of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, West Town, Bucktown and Wicker Park.
The additional officers are part of the Chicago Police Department's plan to hire 970 new police personnel over the next two years.
By adding 100 new recruits a month through 2018 to also address attrition and 400 currently vacant positions, Johnson said the department will go from 12,656 sworn officers to 13,535.
In the past, the Police Department has opted against hiring more officers, choosing instead to reshuffle personnel or increase overtime spending. But after this year's historic surge in shootings, some communities have vowed to hire private security if police don't beef up their ranks.
Moreno, along with 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, previously proposed using $100,000 from a Wicker Park/Bucktown taxpayer fund surplus to hire security guards from private firms to augment the local police force.
Moreno wasn't immediately available for comment late Thursday.
Also in the email newsletter, Moreno said officers recently arrested a "well-known documented gang member" who has been a "source of violence and crime" in Logan Square. The man, from the 2500 block of West Cortland Street, was arrested for violating his parole, Moreno said.
"The 14th District Police Sgt. Reyes and I have been in constant communication with this individual's parole officer to express the sentiment and concern of the community and to urge that this individual be kept in custody as long as possible," he wrote.
Moreno said he would notify the community once a court date has been set for the gang member.
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