Police Step Up Patrols After Lakefront, Downtown Mob Attacks (Chicago: apartment, violent crime)

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by dewthedru

perhaps you're right. but it would definitely make me feel better.

Why? You'd likely have 12 guns pointed at you while you have one gun to point back.

[dewthedru]

ahhh...so only the crazy youth are allowed to arm themselves? it's just better to take my punishment and not even have the option of defending myself?

besides, i don't get the feeling that these kids are packing based on the arrest reports.

[jwaiter]

I'm just pointing out what would happen if EVERYONE carries an armed weapon

[tomcho]

Originally Posted by dewthedru

ahhh...so only the crazy youth are allowed to arm themselves? it's just better to take my punishment and not even have the option of defending myself?

Of course not, these were minors it's illegal for them to own guns so surely they would never be armed!

[dewthedru]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

I'm just pointing out what would happen if EVERYONE carries an armed weapon

i understand and agree somewhat. if we could go back to a system where nobody carries guns, that would be ideal. but since in chicago only the criminals carry them...i'd sure like the option of defending myself against them.

[prairiestate]

I'd feel safer with more police on the streets. Too bad the city can't afford both an adequate number of police and a huge patronage army. Daley, and now Rahm, have made their decision on which is more important.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

I'd feel safer with more police on the streets. Too bad the city can't afford both an adequate number of police and a huge patronage army. Daley, and now Rahm, have made their decision on which is more important.

If people wanted to buy goods made in Chicago rather than those made in China the city could afford both police and patronage workers. I think pretty soon the city won't be able to afford either, much less both. Unless people want to pony up higher taxes, you know, to make up for the taxes Florsheim, US Steel, International Harvester, Schwinn, Brachs, Ludwig, Zenith and Republic Steel used to pay.

[prairiestate]

Or Rahm could tell the machine where to go, despite being given his job by them, fire the patronage employees, and the CPD could have the 2000 additional officers they need! What a concept!

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Or Rahm could tell the machine where to go, despite being given his job by them, fire the patronage employees, and the CPD could have the 2000 additional officers they need! What a concept!

Show me the numbers. It's easy enough to assert getting rid of patronage employees but someone has to do the city's work. Besides, I believe in patronage and the spoils system; it's democratic and better than having an untouchable and entitled government employee class.

Not that I don't think the spoils system shouldn't work efficiently but then the city workers I know are being held far more accountable by the city and doing far more work than a generation ago.

I think more money is being wasted paying city contractors and setting up special tax deals than is being wasted paying city employees. That's where the action seems to have moved; not the working fellas I saw today out in the parks doing maintainence.

[jwaiter]

Watching the 9:00 news... there was another teen mob attack today. At Chicago & wabash, abt 15 teens surrounded and beat a couple before jumping on the red line with the victims wallets. I guess the cities crack down is not all that effective.