(Chicago, IL) — April 25, 2010. Woe. Here’s something that doesn’t round bend everyday.
State Rep. John Fritchey (D-Chicago) and LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) today called on Governor Pat Quinn to call out the Illinois National Guard to battle the surge in violent crime in Chicago that has claimed 113 lives so far this year, equal to U.S. military losses in Iraq and Afghanistan combined, according to Chicago Tribune reporters Kristen Mack and Daarel Burnette II.
“Is this a drastic call to action? Of course it is,” Fritchey said. “Is it warranted when we are losing residents to gun violence at such an alarming rate? Without question. We are not talking about rolling tanks down the street or having armed guards on each corner.”
Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis, sounding a desk-jockey bureaucrat, opposes the idea because the military and police operate under different rules.
If the military were brought in to help with city violence, they wouldn’t answer to police command — creating a “major disconnect” in mission and strategy.
Uh, huh.
Weiss should explain the “major disconnect” in mission and strategy management theory to the 113 families of the dead. That should comfort them and sooth the concerns of those Chicago residents caught in the murderous cross-fire that Weiss and his cops can’t seem to stop.
Fritchey and Ford are showing leadership. Good for them.
Weiss and his boss, Mayor Richard Daley, should listen to the lawmakers.
Gov. Pat Quinn
These two IL state reps. are about as unbalanced as the Illinois budget.
Posted by Joe Lake | April 25, 2010, 5:33 PMJoe Lake, Chicago (Bucktown)
Joe,
You won’t hear any complaints from the dead.
Thanks for reading.
David Ormsby
Posted by David Ormsby | April 25, 2010, 5:47 PMDavid, The policy goal is fine: a new investment by our state government in helping to meet a Chicago need. However, the specific implementation strategy is not helpful. If our state can spend money to deploy soldiers in Chicago, I’d prefer to see those funds invested in our police department to hire and train new officers to work the streets (and retrain others that need a refresher course).
Posted by Michael J. Harrington | April 25, 2010, 6:14 PMMichael,
The need is now. Hiring new cops and retraining some existing sad-sacks will not happen in the next three-weeks. And holding one more community forum, parent march, and prayer vigil ain’t gonna cut it. All the tut-tutting will come from people safe and snug in their beds and neighborhoods.
Thank you for reading.
David
Posted by David Ormsby | April 25, 2010, 6:31 PMI like Fritchey but this ranks up there with Daley the First, shoot to kill or shoot to maim. Frithcey must be running Brady’s campaign. Quinn sure as heck will not call out the guard, but Brady can call up the good old boys from down state who are probably better armed than the real Guard anyway. How about legalizing drugs, until the 20′s they were legal and I don’t think your granny went wild on her laudnum or tonics. With the Volstead act gone they needed something to keep big Anti Crime in business and they got it with drugs and race and it still is same. Concentrate on JOBS. Allow people to expunge non violent felonies after 7 years so they can get past the job application. Right now 30% of the male black population could not even get into the Guard by statute. As a conservative Republican, lets start the revolution now, power to the People
Posted by Jim Sather | April 25, 2010, 7:26 PMJim,
Revolution or – sedition?
Thank you for reading.
David Ormsby
Posted by David Ormsby | April 26, 2010, 7:16 AMIf we can send troops to Iraq to secure their streets from havoc we can invest some money here in Chicago to keep our streets safe. OMG I forgot the philosophy of so many people let the black kill each other up F them. Bring on the National Guard it about dam- time my tax payer money going to good use.
Posted by Concerned citizen of south side | April 27, 2010, 9:15 AM