Wicker Park, Bucktown Look At Private Security Patrols
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Wicker Park and Bucktown are considering spending some money on private security patrols.
A small percentage of property tax revenue in the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood - about a third of a percent - goes into the neighborhood's Special Service Area fund.
This year they've set aside $50,000 for security.
"For the past 10-20 years there's been a great decline in crime. It's just that we are the focus of attention. We have a lot of people coming to our neighborhood," said Brent Norsman, the chair of the Wicker Park/Bucktown SSA.
His business is in the neighborhood and he lives there.
He says a couple of aldermen have been pushing the security spending. And Norsman agrees - to a point.
He says paying for private security in the area is debatable.
"Our gut reaction is, policing is sort of a base-level service that should be provided by the city. And we really don't want to be in the business of policing our neighborhood."
Norsman says many of the residents and businesses support money for security cameras.