The Chicago Firefighters' Union said on Tuesday firefighters' memorial license plates should be limited to firefighters and their families.
Last week, two people killed by a Chicago police officer had the special plates on their vehicle. When they were shot and killed by an off-duty police officer early Friday morning, the pickup they were riding in had firefighter vanity plates. However, neither men were firefighters.
"When you get felons utilizing their plates and going out, there is an appearance that anyone operating that vehicle may be connected to the fire department, the Chicago Fire Department or the fire service," said John Chwarzynski, president of the firefighters union. "What's the reason? Why are they utilizing them?"
The incident has caused some to question of vanity plates such as whether the firefighters' memorial plates need more regulation. Secretary of State officials said they take their lead from the General Assembly.
"If the General Assembly is going to pass it, it's our job to implement it," said Dave Druker of the Secretary of State's office. "We've tried to increase the size of the plates and make them as easy as possible for law enforcement to read."
A lawsuit has been filed against the city by the families of the men killed, who authorities have described as gang members. Family members said both men were plumbers.
Before the shooting, the off-duty police officer was at a bar on West Belmont Avenue, and apparently helped remove 31-year-old Ken Elrod from the bar, NBC5's Mary Ann Ahern reported.
Ninety minutes later, police said Elrod and his friend, 31-year-old Dimitr Centera, pulled up alongside the off-duty officer's Hummer and allegedly showed their weapons. The officer then fired several times and killed both men at the scene. Reportedly, the two men never fired a shot.
A witness told the attorney for the two men's families that police questioned what he saw.
"Detectives purportedly told him, 'No, you couldn't have seen that, this is what you probably saw,'" said attorney Greg Kulis.
Kulis added that the witness called and left a message for him telling Kulis that the police have been to his house numerous times and that he was scared. Kulis also said he wanted the 911 tapes.
The police have ruled the shooting as justified, but the officer has not returned to work.
Previous Stories:
- April 11, 2006: Attorney: Police Shooting Story Doesn't Add Up
Copyright 2006 by NBC5.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
