Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk Announces Police Foot Patrols for Downtown Joliet

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk released the following press release regarding the addition of a Joliet Police foot patrol in downtown Joliet:

 "Joliet---Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk today announced that two Joliet Police Officers will be assigned to a foot patrol in the Joliet City Center area to increase security for downtown businesses and visitors effective September 27, 2015  

“One of the complaints I heard frequently from both Joliet residents and visitors to our city in the last few years was that they did not feel safe downtown.   Joliet City Center may be one of the safest areas in Joliet due to the presence of the Joliet Police Headquarters, the courthouse and the Sheriff’s department, but all of those uniforms on Jefferson Street can’t be seen for more than a block,” said Mayor O’Dekirk.  “If we want to revitalize downtown Joliet, everyone needs to feel safe in addition to being safe.  The daily presence of two officers patrolling on foot will provide the feeling of security that is necessary for people to want to congregate downtown.”

O’Dekirk compared that need for security downtown to the same security presence on north Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

“Chicago’s premier shopping district has police officers patrolling up and down Michigan Avenue on foot to deter trouble, and it works.  Considering the huge number of people, there are few problems on Michigan Avenue, and those that do arise are handled quickly.  Chicago cannot afford to have people feeling unsafe on Michigan Avenue and Joliet cannot afford to have people feeling unsafe in our City Center,” said O’Dekirk.   “Our new patrol officers will also be closely monitoring the area near the train station.  Union Station is the gateway for many people coming to the city or passing through, and it has become an area of congregation for people with obvious mental imbalances and substance abuse problems.  We will be getting those folks the help they need in the appropriate facilities, which does not include a public train station.”"

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