Chicago Cop Assigned To Patrol Merchandise Mart

May 2, 2012 12:00 AM " CHICAGO (CBS) - With about 1,400 vacancies, the Chicago Police Department has a critical shortage of officers. Perhaps that’s one reason why police sources are upset with police brass assigning a cop to patrol a privately-owned downtown building.

The Better Government Association and the 2 Investigators checked out the tip that infuriates residents and business owners in high crime areas.

“We used to have beat officers,” said Roderick Pierce, the owner of Englewood Hardware. “I don’t know where they went, but we used to have them walk the beats.”

“This area needs policemen on a daily, and an hourly basis,” said Loretta Langford, who lives with her children in Englewood.

In Englewood and other high-crime neighborhoods, residents are begging for more cops on the street.

So, the 2 Investigators and the Better Government Association were surprised to learn the Chicago Police Department has assigned an officer to patrol the privately-owned Merchandise Mart. His name is Joseph Pagan and he is paid $78,000 a year.

The 2 Investigators watched day after day, as Officer Pagan ambled his way around the commercial space at the Merchandise Mart.

“What are you supposed to be doing here?” CBS 2′s Pam Zekman asked Pagan.

“Contact News Affairs,” Pagan said. "

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