40 IL state troopers deployed to Chicago 'surge teams'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois State Police troopers will join Chicago police officers patrol neighborhoods at the request of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to Gov. Pat Quinn.

"He's going to be adding another 40 state troopers on our fugitive program we've been expanding over the next 30 days," Mayor Emanuel said while speaking at Kennedy King College in Englewood.

Forty troopers will be deployed to Chicago for 20 to 25 surge teams focused on four Chicago neighborhoods. Surge teams will be made up of five Chicago police officers and two state troopers.

The teams will focus on apprehending suspects with known violent criminal histories who are named in arrest warrants.

"They're wanted today. You put handcuffs on them they don't commit crimes tomorrow or later on today," CPD Supt. Garry McCarthy said.

Troopers will come from across Illinois and led by Illinois State Police Colonel Michael Zerbonia, who is a veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Some state and local politicians as well as many activists have clamored for years for state police patrols in high-crime Chicago neighborhoods. Emanuel says the deal with Quinn closed in the past 24 hours.

"When I brought it to the governor, he quickly turned around and said, 'Yes, we're in,'" Emanuel said.

"It's basically admitting that we need more people," Chicago Police Union President Dean Angelo said.

Last week, McCarthy ordered 150 officers be moved from administrative jobs to street patrol Monday through Thursday. The effort did not stop the shootings of four people inside the Hearts Nightclub early Wednesday morning, the second multiple shooting at a North Side nightspot in four days.

"Crime doesn't really know boundaries," McCarthy said. He said one of the Hearts victims had a legally-carried firearm.

"One of the victims was a concealed carry permit holder. His gun is gone. So, what happened? We're trying to determine," McCarthy said.