Chicago police: Sending troopers is political move

It's not that police officers here mind a little extra help. They just fear that the decision to begin using state troopers to help fight violent crime has more to do with politics.

"The concern is not for the people of Chicago," said Chicago Police Lt. Bob Weisskopf. "It has nothing to with real life, nothing to do with justice ... it's politics and politicians."

Last week — as new Chicago Police statistics showed homicides in the city rose 18 percent through July compared with 2007 — State Police Director Larry Trent said troopers had begun patrolling expressways near high crime areas in Chicago and nearby suburbs.

He also said they would help track the history of weapons used in crimes and gather intelligence on gangs. Chicago police officials have said most homicides are gang-related.

But police officers say they're skeptical because the move came just weeks after Gov. Rod Blagojevich surprised Mayor Richard M. Daley and Police Superintendent Jody Weis by suggesting publicly that state troopers and even the National Guard could be used to combat "out of control" violent crime in Chicago.

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