Days after the Chicago Police Department announced it will no longer respond to 911 calls for criminal damage to property, vehicle thefts, garage burglaries, or other crimes in which the suspect is no longer on the scene, the Fraternal Order of Police (Chicago police union) is demanding a 12 percent raise.
In addition to the 12 percent increase over the next two years, the union is also seeking a $3,000 annual stipend for being required to live within the city, pay less for health insurance, and reach the top pay scale of $86,000 a year after 20 years rather than 25.
In light of cutting 911 responses, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said crime prevention “in the future” happens when officers are on patrol, not tied up taking reports at the scene of non-violent incidents. “I’m making a tough decision, but I’d rather have that officer on the street, doing something to prevent the next shooting than – honestly – making somebody feel better, because they’re responding rather than talking to them over the phone.”
The city is already off to a bloodier start than last year’s record 500-plus homicides, and the department on average only solves 34% of these crimes within 12 months.
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