Bar Owners Could Help Foot the Bill for Wicker Park Security

Bars in Wicker Park and Bucktown draw huge crowds for a good time, but now officials say they might ask those business owners to help fight crime once the drinks stop flowing.

Members of the Wicker Park Advisory Council say they’re working with Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno (1st) to rid Wicker Park of vandals, drug dealers and other nighttime offenders through new security measures, a move they’ve planned to make for months.

Wicker Park currently has two security cameras managed by the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, but council secretary Doug Wood says there’s a disconnect. OEMC personnel say they’re focused on catching people like murderers, not taggers, and there’s a disconnect between Chicago’s 14th Police District and the security department.

But now Wood says Moreno might solicit local bar owners to foot the bill of an overnight guard.

“We’ve had this long-term security issue we’re working with Ald. Moreno on, and Ald. Moreno would really like the camera he’s purchased for $15,000 to be used,” Wood said. “He also suggested that he would ask local bar owners if they would help contribute purchasing part-time security guards in the park district. Overnight security Thursday though Sunday is very important because that’s when all the damage happens.”

And according to Moreno’s aide Rocio Varela, she’s been working on exploring different opportunities to tighten security at the park, including donations from bars. The Crocodile Lounge at 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave. is just one business with owners already interested in helping in any way possible, and Varela says there are more.

“We want to draft a letter and distribute it around to the bar owners and to everyone in the neighborhood asking if anyone would be willing to donate money for added security,” Varela said.

Varela added that she’s been actively working with someone in the Chicago Parks District to seek out other forms of security, like the system in place at Haas Park at 2402 N. Washtenaw Ave. At Haas, on-site security watches for people like taggers and vandals on live cameras.

Implementing that type of system would cost an estimated $30,000, Varela said. The council seemed less than enthused with that option considering the recent price tag associated with their OEMC cameras.  

Moreno’s letter to local businesses is expected to go out soon.