Chicago, railroad police criticized for using bait trucks

CHICAGO (AP) - Civil rights activists and local aldermen are criticizing a joint investigation by Chicago police and the Norfolk Southern Railroad that involved using a truck loaded with goods to lure potential thieves.

Residents of the city's Englewood neighborhood filmed police arresting a man and accused officers of trying to entrap poor residents with the truck.

An arrest report says Chicago police have been was working with railroad police to crack down on thefts from freight containers in rail yards, especially guns , and nearby areas.

Railroad police spokeswoman Susan Terpay defended the investigation, saying such stings are used to crack down on patterns of thefts in certain areas. She says three people were arrested during the operation.

Ald. Roderick Sawyer chairs the City Council's Black Caucus. He says such operations are "an unacceptable and inappropriate use of police resources."