A television news crew in Chicago found themselves on the other side of the story when they were robbed at gunpoint while reporting on a series of robberies in the city. The incident occurred in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, where three armed men wearing ski masks approached the crew and took their television camera and personal belongings. The stolen camera contained footage of the story they were working on, which never made it to the air.
In the early hours of Monday morning, a reporter and photographer from Spanish-language station Univision Chicago were filming a segment on the recent robberies in the West Town community. However, their reporting took an unexpected turn when three masked men wielding firearms approached them. The robbers demanded their belongings, including the television camera, and swiftly fled the scene in a gray sedan and black SUV.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The victims’ identities have not been publically announced in order to protect their privacy. Luis Godinez, the vice president of news at Univision Chicago, assured that the crew members are safe and that the station is working together as a team to address the situation. This incident follows another robbery involving a news crew earlier this month. The police advised against resisting during such incidents, as some of the other robbery victims were injured while attempting to fight back.
The National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians Local 41, which represents TV photographers in Chicago, expressed their concern over the growing safety threats faced by news crews. Raza Siddiqui, the president of the union local, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of journalists who provide a vital public service. In response to these incidents, some news stations affiliated with the union are considering additional safety measures, such as assigning security personnel to accompany TV crews.