Chicago’s police officer shortage is a concern as the DNC approaches this summer

CHICAGO (CBS) – A severe shortage of police officers in Chicago has created a serious barrier to event safety in Chicago.

The men and women of the Chicago Police Department do their jobs. But the reality is that the department has lost a significant number of sworn officers.

Summer is just around the corner and summers in Chicago usually bring with them a spike in crime. That, combined with The Democratic National Convention is coming to Chicago this yearleaves people holding their breath as to whether the understaffed CPD will be ready.

“What we’re doing right now is getting the most out of the number of officers we have,” Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said last week at a public forum with the Public Safety and Accountability Commission.

Snelling recently acknowledged his department’s shortcomings.

“We’re down,” Snelling said. “We lost almost 2,000 officers.”

Retired CPD First Deputy Supt. Anthony Riccio, who worked for the department for 34 years, called the shortage a “major concern.”

“When you lose such a large number of officers, it’s going to show up in the neighborhoods and communities where people are looking for more police officers – especially this coming summer,” Riccio said.

Residents expressed concern to Snelling about the lack of patrols.

“There were always officers there, and we just don’t see that anymore,” one woman told Snelling at the recent public forum.

Riccio said that since there is a shortage of almost 2,000 officers, the department will first withdraw special units.

“Units that normally supplement these officers are now becoming the officers doing the patrol,” he said.

And as Chicago prepares to welcome at least 50,000 people in August the DNCRiccio believes the shortage only exacerbates the challenges.

“It’s going to take a lot of manpower, and there’s no substitute for experience, and that’s another thing that a lot of officers see – they’re great, hard workers – but there’s no substitute for experience,” Riccio said, “and “A lot of them.” “Most of these officials are young. You certainly have no experience with such incidents.”

Riccio said many of the officials were present when Chicago hosted The NATO summit 2012– and who are credited with preventing unrest during the summit from boiling over – have left the force. Therefore, more training for the DNC is critical, he said.

“They’re doing what they can to be ready, but if what we’re seeing continues University campus through the country Are there signs – and I think it’s kind of a precursor to what we’re going to see – that it’s going to be a very special event,” Riccio said.

To help secure the United Center and the flooding of the entire downtown area, neighborhoods will be affected.

“Where do these officers come from?” Riccio said. “Ultimately, they come from the blue and white cars we see driving in our neighborhood.”

Despite the uphill battle, Riccio is encouraged by the superintendent’s leadership.

“The superintendent has a plan and I think he will do his best to make sure communities are safe and the convention is a success,” Riccio said.

Riccio notes that the CPD will receive assistance from federal agents, the Illinois State Police and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office when the DNC arrives.