- Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said the city doesn’t need more cops as it faces a $635 million budget gap.
“So far we're showing we can get the job done with less,” McCarthy told the Tribune editorial board on Friday. “I just can’t in good conscious [sic] say that we need more when we’re not operating at peak efficiency.
The department has moved almost 900 cops to beat patrols since the end of May, due primarily to the disbanding of two specialized units and the transfer of cops from desk jobs. The move has come following a campaign pledge made by McCarthy’s boss, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, to put more than 1,000 officers on the streets. Critics contend he’s simply shuffling officers around.
Well duh. Rahm is shuffling people around. And at some point, it's going to be painfully obvious. Downtown is making asinine claims of not just double-digit reductions in crime, but double digits in the 20% and greater area. At this rate, there shouldn't be any crime in Chicago.
But there is. Lots of it. Some of the pressure is off, but no one should mistake that for crime reduction. Even McCarthy has an idea that something isn't entirely correct:
But there is. Lots of it. Some of the pressure is off, but no one should mistake that for crime reduction. Even McCarthy has an idea that something isn't entirely correct:
- McCarthy acknowledged he could cut the department’s $1.3 billion budget by eliminating the vacant posts. But he said he wants to hold on to those positions for when the economy turns around and replacements could be hired.
Remember that - remember who's saying it. When the shit hits the fan, the CPD will be all up to strength to keep everyone safe - after 6 months in the Academy.