The Return of The Chicagoist Reader Meet-Up
Cubs Combat Casino
Notre Dame Fan Takes It Too Far, Allegedly Punches Clausen
County Sales Tax Rollback Vetoed - Here We Go Again
PHOTOS: Peaches And Amanda Blank At Metro
Yesterday, we looked at the Chicago Police Department's efforts with President-Elect Barack Obama's security team and the cost (covered by the federal government) of the extra man hours. Looking to deflect the whisperings of criticism, Mayor Daley took to the press to defend the work being done to protect Obama and the benefit to Chicago. As usual, we can't do his words justice so we'll let him speak for himself:
This is a great honor…We’re excited about him being here. This is his transition. He could go to Washington, D.C…He’s not going to buy right into Washington. He’s here and he has people from all walks of life coming here. It is putting us on a global map more than anything else...That was...surprisingly coherent.In Washington, D.C., the Secret Service [would] be doing most of this — even outside the buildings. We’ve taken that responsibility and they’re going to reimburse us for that…We’ll utilize resources from headquarters and the training academy until next week. [After that], off-duty officers will be compensated at time-and-a- half, to be paid by the federal government. This is a temporary measure that does not take any officers off Chicago streets.
At another press conference, Daley also looked to clarify a statement previously made by Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis. It seems while speaking to the City Club of Chicago recently, Weis talked about turning the city's crime problem around and said, “If a gang is dealing drugs and not killing anyone…that’s not on our priority list.” Oh, really? Daley reacted to the statement by saying:
Gang activity and drug activity and gun activity is all together. It’s drugs and guns. That has become a major issue in this country — not just in Chicago but in the suburban area, collar counties. It’s destroying another generation of young people...Especially in an economy where it gets tough, people will go to a lot of substance abuse….So, you have to be very careful because you want to really protect a lot of people who are in dire straits….A lot of people take this real personal…when they lose their jobs and lose their home…They’ll go to alcohol and drugs.Okay, that's a little more Daley-esque. Daley promised that gang-related drug dealing remains a high priority for the city. CPD spokeswoman Monique Bond defended Weis' comments, saying, “His statement was directed in the context of prioritization--not importance. Both are equally important for police response and both contribute to violence." Whatever he intended, Weis, who's already on a very short leash, is not doing himself any favors these days.
Photo of Daley and Obama by Marcus Gilmer
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
Weis has got it all backwards. NYC policing in the mid-90's involved getting rid of the usual triage of placing murders first and forgetting about lesser crimes. Police need to make more arrests for small crimes - in so doing they stop the problem before it starts.
I am surprised weis has essentially thrown out the once method of policing that had a direct result on the crime rate of one of the most violent cities in America - NYC circa 1990.
Daley is a lying liar! Loop cops HAVE been taken off their regular street duties in favor of Obama-protection-duty.
That statement by Weis was one of the most idiotic things I've seen someone in law enforcement say publically.
An Matty's referring to the "broken windows" theory. There are people who say it's unproven, but it makes sense to me: start arresting turnstyle-jumpers and loiterers and, lo and behold, you're catching guys who also happen to be dirtbags -- guys with weapons and drugs and guys who forgot they were on parole. Lock 'em up, at least for the night, and you've just prevented potential crimes much worse than the quality-of-life stuff they were nabbed for. Is it why NYC, a city nearly 3 times the population of Chicago, has a lower murder rate? Maybe. Maybe not. I think it was Ingrid who said there's more to do in NYC. Maybe that's it too.
But in Chicago, this theory is ignored outright. Chicago is lawless. Cops drive by in their insulated cars. In the summer I see them on their bikes at Foster Beach -- so cute, chatting up the girls. On the CTA, there are apparently "undercover" cops. Nice. And very convenient when it comes to accountability. Ever seen a real cop on the CTA? The Securitas people don't count.
In my neighborhood, the el stop and nearby commercial district area is ruined by the thugs who hang out, sit on parked cars, smoke blunts, go into the liquor store to buy brandy, and bring everything down, all day long. The cops just drive by. The neighborhood block groups do positive loitering, they pressure the store, they have programs for after school activities at the local high school ... and everyone calls 911, but it doesn't matter. Last week, I got off the el and had to weave my way through the requisite group of kids arguing about whose mom sucks more dick than the other's. That cute little ethnic bakery that opened up is doomed.
Last week a man was lurking in my alley masturbating, hiding behind a dumpster, acting all-arounnd creepy. After watching this for 20 minutes, I called 911 and gave them a full description of the guy, where he was in the alley, what he was wearing, his height, the clothes he was wearing, etc. 10 minutes later, a CPD car rolled by the guy. He stopped and stared at them ... and they drove by him -- in a fucking dark alley -- without stopping. He literally just stood there and stared at them as they drove by. If they'd stopped, I would have been out there in a second to help them arrest the guy, make a statement, etc. I've done it before. But they just rolled on by and gave him "the stare." Useless cops.
Remember that the next time there are a rash of rapes somewhere. I'm seriously considering just resorting to grabbing a neighbor or two and my Louisville Slugger the next time I see something like that. Why call the CPD?
I posted what happened on the Second City Cop blog (https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13350456&postID=4979204183214406109) and the response was basically invective from our protect and serve crew about what a dumbass I am and how I apparently live in a yuppie dreamland that only the wimy cops patrol. Nice PR SCC.
These are the people you hope will be there for you in your time of need.
They won't be.
(sorry for the diatribe)
Weis said the same thing outside of City Hall chambers after the October 24, 2008 budget hearing: http://explore.twitter.com/juggernautco/status/974015456