Alderman proposes $200 security camera rebate for homeowners

Chicago would offer homeowners a $200 rebate to purchase exterior cameras linked to the city's vast video surveillance network under an innovative plan championed by a rookie alderman to combat the never-ending cycle of gang violence.

Instead of spending $27,000 of his $1.32 million annual allotment of aldermanic menu money for just one crime-fighting street camera, rookie Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) wants to stretch those funds by offering the rebate as an incentive to homeowners.

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported that the Chicago Police Department spent a record $116.1 million on overtime in 2015 - up 17.2 percent from the previous year - to mask a manpower shortage that has mushroomed under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, with police retirements outpacing hiring by 975 officers.

Lopez acknowledged Thursday that what Chicago really needs is more police officers to stop the surge in homicides and shootings that will only get worse during the warm weather summer months.

But at a time when the $30 billion pension crisis precludes more police hiring, Lopez argued that cameras are the next best thing. He called it a force-multiplier with the potential to become a "huge deterrent."

For more, click here.