The Chicago Police Department will double the number of officers assigned to Cubs games under a new plan that appeared to move the team closer to an agreement permitting more night games at Wrigley Field.
The commitment to provide more officers “is an acknowledgment [by the department] that they needed increased attention to difficulties in the neighborhood,” Jim Ludwig, president of the Lakeview Citizens Council, said Tuesday. “And I think it properly addresses that issue.”
Until now, about 40 officers have been assigned to traffic control and neighborhood security on game days. But at a meeting Monday night, Deputy Chief of Patrol Thomas Byrne said the total will be increased to 80.
The Cubs are limited by city ordinance to 18 night games a season, and the team has been seeking a phased increase to 30.
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Compiled from RedEye news services and edited by Tran Ha (tha@tribune.com) and Drew Sottardi (dsottardi@tribune.com)
