Armed private guards will patrol State Street to aid security downtown

The Chicago Loop Alliance has hired two armed security guards who will begin patrolling State Street on Thursday with the goal of supplementing police presence, curbing shoplifting and dealing with panhandlers.

The Chicago Loop Alliance, the main advocate for the downtown business district, contracted with HLSA Security for the guards. They will patrol between Wacker Drive and Congress Parkway on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, for eight hours each day at various times around midday and in the evening.

The uniformed security guards, which the alliance is referring to as ”street ambassadors,” will each have a gun and a badge and be able to make arrests. Their hours will increase starting in May, the alliance said. They will cost about $114,000 annually.

Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, has long pushed for an increased police presence downtown.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-chicago-loop-security-20180228-story.html