State Troopers Begin Work To Help Chicago Cops Catch Crooks
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A small cadre of reinforcements has arrived for Chicago police, as dozens Illinois State Police troopers have begun their mission of helping track down wanted criminals.
CBS 2's Jeremy Ross reports a group of Illinois State Police squad cars drove up to the Harrison District police station.
Forty state troopers have been tasked with assisting the Chicago Police Department search for wanted fugitives. The troopers will be assigned to 20 surge teams, each consisting of five Chicago Police officers and two state cops who'll go out searching for the estimated 7,300 active fugitive warrants in the city.
It's all aimed at finding and capturing some of the city's most violent wanted criminals.
The FBI also will assist in the effort, by putting more agents on the streets.
It's not an army of cops, but some Chicago residents said they appreciate the additional police presence in the city.
"We need it. Chicago really needs it. It's about time for more law enforcement to be on the street," Lawndale resident Tierra Kinsey said.
She acknowledged 40 troopers is not a lot, compared to the 7,300 active fugitive warrants in Chicago, but she said it should help.
The newly redeployed state troopers met with Chicago police officials inside the Harrison District station Wednesday evening to prepare for their new duty.
After 30 days, law enforcement officials will reevaluate the initiative to determine if it should continue.