Budget Issues May Reduce Highway Police Patrols
Since 1985, Illinois State Troopers have patrolled the 53 miles of Illinois highways that run through Chicago.
But now, with the state budget facing draconian cutbacks, this responsibility may fall back on the city’s shoulders according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Gov. Quinn is proposing cutbacks to the state police that would remove the 182 officers who currently patrol Chicago highways. And Mayor Daley is not happy.
Because Daley is already facing his own budget issues and with Chicago police already understaffed, it would be fiscally impossible to replace the patrols with CPD officers.
The most obvious possibility would be a highway system with a skeleton crew of patrols or, according to city hall, installing speed cameras along the highways system and just mail speeding tickets to lead-footed drivers.
Speed cameras?!?
Uh oh! That doesn’t sound good!
The city already admits to being short 700 officers. The police are expecting more retirements this year due to the 55 and out provision and have not brought in additional recruits to make up the shortfall. The police contract will be settled soon which will bring additional retirements. Giving the remaining officers additional duty to patrol the expressways is silly. They are not trained in trucking inspection laws and have no interest to learn them. But I’m sure the mayor would lighten up when he realizes the extra ticket revenue that would be coming in.
The City is full of shit.
We are not short 700 Officers.
Its closer to 1500 in actuality.