The city of Chicago will spend up to $1.2 million to hire three private security firms to help prevent civil unrest and looting that erupted amid protests over the killing of George Floyd.
The city will employ more than 100 private security officers to protect local retail shops, grocery stores and pharmacies, says
“The new guards are unarmed and solely in place to monitor activity on commercial corridors and notify the Chicago Police Department if any illegal activity occurs,” said Chicago Mayor Lightfoot. “None of the security guards have policing powers, but are another set of eyes and ears to support efforts to deter looters. All security officers will wear visible identification.”
Chicago will also deploy additional police patrols along commercial and retail corridors on the South and West sides, Lightfoot’s office said.
