Chicago Debating Plan Allow Security Guards To Write Tickets
Quote:
Chicago Debating Plan To Allow Security Guards To Write Tickets
From The Chicago Sun-Times, March 20
CHICAGO, IL – Private security guards patrolling three Far South Side commercial strips would be empowered to write tickets -- for everything from parking and moving violations to loitering, littering and graffiti -- under a groundbreaking plan that faces strong resistance from rank-and-file Chicago Police officers.
The controversial idea comes at a time when City Hall is slowing police hiring and violent crime is up.
Aldermen Anthony Beale (9th) and John Pope (10th) said they're putting the finishing touches on an ordinance that would mark a precedent-setting expansion of the powers of private security officers hired by local property owners.
"I'm adding to the safety and security of residents of the 9th Ward. That's what I'm doing," Beale said.
Chicago Fraternal Order of Police officials called it a dangerous idea they will "fight all the way.''
"They're not helping us,'' FOP third vice president Greg Bella said. "When you put somebody out there who does not know the job, it makes double work for us.''
Inspired by a 1995 crime-fighting experiment in Marquette Park, several Chicago neighborhoods have established special service areas in which property owners pay higher taxes to augment police protection.
Until now, the armed and uniformed private security officers in those areas have been allowed to detain suspects and summon Chicago Police officers. They cannot make arrests or write tickets.
That would change if Beale and Pope have their way.
They want to empower Total Security Management of Oakbrook Terrace to write parking tickets, moving violations and citations for offenses including loitering, littering and graffiti.
The firm was hired last year to patrol three crime-plagued commercial strips: Michigan Avenue from 100th to 116th; Commercial Avenue from 83rd to 92nd, and 103rd Street from State to Corliss.
"It gives the community more control over illegal activity,'' Beale said. "Police are there to serve and protect. If we can give them some extra help to serve and protect, that's a win-win for everybody."
Bella said he can offer a million reasons why it isn't. "How about a security guard writing a ticket and somebody comes out and starts fighting with him? He can't make an arrest,'' Bella said. "What if they pull the wrong guy over and the guy gets out with a gun? It's a safety issue for them. It's a safety issue for the citizens."
Bella said the aldermen and Supt. Jody Weis should take a hard look at the way the department deploys officers -- including those dispatched out of districts to special units. "Put them back in the districts,'' he said.
Pope insisted that empowering private security officers to write tickets is about improving the quality of life -- not invading the turf of uniformed officers.
"They're out there during prime hours walking up and down the street. . . . They can witness firsthand some of the violations. They might as well write some tickets, too," he said.
In 1996, a far more ambitious plan to give the Marquette Park security teams formal police powers and academy training was killed by Mayor Daley because of costs and because it would impinge on Chicago Police.
