Photo: Paul Clinton

To free up additional patrol officers, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy has instructed officers not to respond to lesser crimes such as vehicle theft, garage burglary, or crime where the offender is no longer at the scene.

The move will free up 44 officers per day to respond to more serious offenses. The 911 calls are being transferred to the Chicago PD's Alternate Response Section, staffed by officers on light duty. Police reports will be taken over the phone. If necessary, evidence technicians will be assigned later, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Chicago Police Department is also in the midst of transferring 200 officers to patrol from administrative duties to stem the city's violence by the end of March. In January, the city recorded 43 murders, including 15-year-old band majorette Hadiya Pendleton.

The department will use the additional officers to saturate areas where trouble is brewing, reports the Chicago Tribune.