A committee representing 22 Chicago North Side and adjacent suburban synagogues began a study today of setting up a system of private guards as a defense against vandals who have despoiled eight synagogues during the past eight weeks.
The committee was organized at a meeting Sunday of 50 delegates called together by Ezras Israel congregation. The delegates also decided to name a committee to set up a council of such synagogues to bring their security needs to the attention of Mayor Daly, the Chicago police department and other public agencies. The committee also would consult with major Jewish communal groups on the problem, the Sentinel, Chicago’s English-Jewish publication reported.
The idea of installing private watchman service included consideration of the alternative of each congregation hiring its own guards or of setting up a congregational pool of volunteers.
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