Weis to Reallocate Police Resources

Plan ignites debate among Aldermen

Embattled Police Superintendant Jody Weis has a new plan to fight crime in spite of diminished resources.

Weis announced plans Tuesday to reallocate police officers from lower crime districts to higher crime districts in a sort of reshuffling move, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"We're not talking about changing districts or beats right now. This is ... a resource realignment to make sure we put those officers where they need to be based upon ... a formula we would be able to adjust on a regular basis should crime shift, should communities change," Weis told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Weis said this reallocation has been a topic of discussion for several years, and he plans to deliver on it in 2010,

The Chicago Police Department is currently operating with about 2,300 officers less than its authorized strength.

Some residents on Chicago's North Side worry the reallocation of officers will also reallocate crime.

"I don't know why they should move police from one place to another when they need police all over the place," said Tom Ryan of the city's Uptown neighborhood. 

The move is igniting debate among aldermen as well.

38th Ward Alderman Tom Allen tells the Sun-Times reallocating officers out of Jefferson Park and Albany Park would be a disservice to the taxpayers, while Police Committee Chairman and 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, praised the plan.

Weis' plan for reshuffling police officers comes after a tough week for the city's top cop. He took flak for his decision to suspend a seargent and six other officers for their alleged role in assaulting a man whom they had in custody.

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