In response to threats of violence and vandalism, Chrysler boosted security and added police presence at its Belvidere, IL assembly plant Thursday. The rumors have been circulating all week, and are believed to be in response to the elimination of the third shift, which amounts to 1,069 workers being laid off this week, as announced in January.
The added Chrysler security staff together with the police on-site are patrolling the plant and parking lots, searching workers’ bags as they enter the factory. These measures are in response to threats that refer to last month’s shooting at the nearby Northern Illinois University, which killed six, according to local media.
There have been no reports of any trouble.
The Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass , all of which share a common platform, are assembled at the Belvidere plant, which is one of five at which Chrysler announced it will end a shift.
