Private security workers at Wicker Park Fest. View Full Caption DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story, based off of a news release issued on Thursday by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), incorrectly included names of people who are not meeting hosts. They are speakers. It has been updated.

NOBLE SQUARE — A community meeting hosted by Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) to try to drum up community support around a proposal to use Special Service Area District taxpayer money to pay for private security patrols is happening on Friday night.

It's set for 5:30 p.m. Friday at St. Stan's School, 1255 N. Noble St. in the cafeteria.

Earlier this month, Hopkins and Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) issued a news release to request that a $100,000 surplus from a 2015 budget be allocated to hiring private patrols this year to responded to a recent uptick in crime.

The money would be used to hire off-duty and retired police officers for late night patrols in response to a recent uptick in crime.

That request was tabled for this year, however, the alderman are now trying to solicit support for the 2017 budget.

The Special Service Area district levies a special tax on property owners for communal services such as snow removal, landscaping, sidewalk cleaning and graffiti removal.

The community meeting for Wicker Park and Bucktown residents "will discuss [Hopkin's and Moreno's] proposed measure to amend the Special Service Area No. 33's 2017 budget and use untapped funds for additional security services to enhance neighborhood safety," according to Hopkins' news release.

Hopkins and Moreno have requested the safety programs budget for 2017 to be amended, and the amount of $100,000 allocated to said line item, the group said.

Earlier this week, the Special Service Area No. 33 amended its 2017 proposed budget, and voted to raise the amount allocated for safety programs in 2017 from $1,000 to $20,000, according to a spokeswoman for the taxpayer group's 12 member commission.

That amended amount of $20,000 has secured the support of Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd). The 2017 budget is awaiting approval from Moreno and Hopkins, a Special Service Area spokeswoman said.

The Special Service Area No. 33 taxpayer commission must secure the support of all three aldermen whose wards include portions of Wicker Park Bucktown in order for the proposed 2017 budget to be advanced and formally approved by the full City Council.

When asked if the taxpayer group would consider adding $80,000 to their proposed $20,000, to reach Hopkins' suggest budget of $100,000, the spokeswoman said, "This initial $20,000 is a good faith commitment to work together with the Aldermen on a solution, and we are willing to further amend the 2017 budget once we vet and determine which safety program(s) are viable and effective uses of taxpayer dollars."

The taxpayer district's proposed 2016 budget of $1.2 million is overseen by 12 volunteer commissioners, the SSA, which brands itself as WPB for "Wicker Park Bucktown."

Brent Norsman, chairman of the Special Service Area Taxpayer District No. 33. said that the group believes the new safety allocation of $20,000 "indicates our willingness to collaborate on solutions."

“While the late presentation of this security patrol proposal made it impossible for us to thoroughly vet and research this option before our pending budget deadline, we are open to creating safety programs that are meaningful, effective, and a responsible use of taxpayers’ money," Norsman said.

The boundaries of the district where the private patrols could be used include several main streets such as Damen, North and Ashland avenues as well as Division Street. The patrols would not be able to venture off of the main streets and onto side streets, and would be bounded by serving only those entities along the business district's boundaries.

Taxpayer Special Service Area No. 33 is one of 53 active improvement districts in Chicago. Citing an East Lakeview taxing district that spends about $300,000 of its budget on safety programs, Hopkins had suggested that the surplus be allocated for security patrols in the Wicker Park and Bucktown business districts.

Moreno previously said, "We need every possible resource in our neighborhoods to commit to stopping crime. It can't rest on the police alone. We have money in the SSA in Wicker Park, let's use it for the security of our residents."

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