Cops hope money talks in gun trafficking effort

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Police Department on Monday announced a new team of officers, prosecutors and federal agents that will target gun trafficking, an effort that depends heavily on people coming forward with information in exchange for money.

Police Superintendent David Brown said he’s confident that the offer of money from a $1 million fund for tips that Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced last week will be persuasive.

“I’ve seen criminals for the right price, turn over their mother,” he said. “I have.”

Brown did not provide details on how much money people would receive for tips to the new Gun Investigations Team but said it would be significant.

Tips can be made anonymously and, if that information results in arrests or an indictment, the department will protect the identity of tipsters, police spokesman Tom Ahern said.