Sunday, March 12, 2006

Hey Ms. Mitchell?

  • Gunfire kills another girl in Englewood. (Conflicting reports put her age at either 10 or 13 - SCC). 13 year old girl shot an killed in the 2600 block of West 70th Place, only a few blocks from where Starkesia Reed was killed last week. (a reader says it was actually the 2000 block - SCC)
  • Twenty-eight people -- among a group of about 200 gathered on a South Side street Saturday night to pay tribute to a gang member killed last week [emphasis added - SCC] -- were arrested after throwing bottles and rocks at police.
  • Friday night drive-by victim dies. Bernard Norevell, 25, of the 9200 block of S. Blackstone Ave., was pronounced dead at 4:23 a.m. Saturday at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner'’s office.
And that's just from your paper this morning. You still want white people to "stay out of their business?" Are you going to push to have a few more street signs named for these killers? Because without black and white and yellow and red and brown working together dressed in blue, you are going to see a lot more headlines like this for a lot more years.

Now how about you start becoming part of the solution instead of the part of the problem?

61 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

...And it was the 2000 block of W. 70th. Do the Times editors actually read...

3/12/2006 10:34:00 AM  
Blogger SCC said...

Evidently not.

3/12/2006 10:35:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Q: where are all the aldercreatures and those two dickheads meeks and rush when these two innocent girls are murdered?

A: if i knew that then I would be a millionare...


really , really, sad

3/12/2006 11:00:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ms. Mitchell will never critisize black males, even though they will never accomplish anything meaningful in life.

They're too busy posing as Thugs and future hip-hop artists, or future NBA players.

Or they are too busy being on the "down low"

They act like they are "in charge" but in truth live with momma or girl-friend! And when not sponging off them, treat them like shit and physically abuse them and call them "bitches and hoe's!"

Mr. Cosby had it right when he said "I don't understand my people, they'll spend $500.00 on Gym shoes, but won't spend $20.00 for hooked-on-phonics"

Since mary mitchell likes to stereotype whites and race-bait to provoke racial strife I figured I would stereotype blacks.

Im just saying see how silly it all is!

Get it together people, stop the hate, violence, and killing!

First to open up any meaningful dialogue ON RACE..one must exclude the jesse jackson's, rev. meeks', and mary mitchells.

They have been part of the problem for to long and NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION!

3/12/2006 11:54:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its those Guns that cause all the problems! We got to ban those Assault Weapons. Enact that federal law on sawed off and defaced serial numbers! 10yr. prison term. For public safety have the police keep their guns at work. No more off-duty carry since it causes domestic problems. Repeal that H.R.218. no lose gunslingers wanted out and about.

3/12/2006 12:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In one of her column Mitchell wants white people to mind their own business while the black folks choose their heros.

In today's column, she bemoans the killing of innocents.

When the "heroes" of the community advocate extreme violence, like killing pigs (police officers) how does anyone expect them to denounce the random violence that takes the lives of young people?

There are "heroes" in the black community that no one talks about....men and women who work for a living, go home to their families, make their kids go to school and stay straight.....but they don't get any attention. Thugs who play basketball, sling dope, talk the thuglife trashtalk in music....they're the heroes. What is wrong here?

Ms. Mitchell needs to take her head out of her ass and stop talking nonsense. The real heroes need to be recognized and the thugs need to be put down.

This reminds me of the old tale by Hans Christian Anderson, the Emperor's New Clothes. No one wants to admit the bullshit that's going on in the black community, and instead of denouncing it, they act as if it's normal.

When if ever will they wake up and see the "emperor" is naked?

3/12/2006 12:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You can call it racism if you want but I call it truth. I have lived in a white Chicago neighborhood all my life. I have Never, I repeat Never heard gunfire in my neigborhood in 30 odd years of life. Nor have I ever heard any of my relatives or friends complain of gunfire. The only associates of mine that have ever been shot or shot at are on this job. The shooter has ALWAYS been a person of color. Now tell me again how evil and closeminded the white man is.

3/12/2006 12:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Shooting actually occured at 2016 W. 70th pl. "Lil Mo" was a named offender initailly. Reported as a retaliation from a shooting on News Years Day at 66th Bishop. Waiting for the candlelight vigils, stop the violence marches and whatever else they can blame this problem on everyone else. How long before Patterson looses his Command of 7? Can't blame the white police Commander on this one. Patterson, Walsh...hmmmmm

3/12/2006 12:55:00 PM  
Blogger Paul Huebl Crimefile News said...

Hey There SCC, I'm looking for opinions on police uniforms for women on the CPD.

Tell me what you think?

http://crimefilenews.blogspot.com

3/12/2006 12:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

12:54 - Well said!

12:55 - Don't see Joe losing his command any time in the near or even distant future. Joe is a smart guy and on the way up. His time in 007 is most likely a grooming experience. Nice trial by fire

3/12/2006 01:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We can hold the training div. and the range responsible for shooting by the police at unarmed citizens.

3/12/2006 01:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

We can hold the training div. and the range responsible for shooting by the police at unarmed citizens.

????????????

3/12/2006 01:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Crap
Meant to say 12:52 - Well said
But 12:54 is right as well

I'll pay better attention now

3/12/2006 01:05:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mary Mitchell is a racist period.

3/12/2006 01:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

In Mary Mitchell's original "stay out of our business" article, she was accusing the police of not doing their job in the Black neighborhoods,. That was the point she was trying to get at when she brought up the shooting of the 14 year old. How many beats are in each sector of 007? 011? How many people are assigned to each of those Districts? How many bts. are in each sector in 022? 016? How many people are assigned to those Dists.? Where does SOS and TRU spend most of their time? Pretty evident where the lion's share of man power and police resources go.

3/12/2006 01:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

5 beats in each sector in 007 and 011. As discussed months ago, 007 is still slightly smaller than 011. Think smaller than 3x2.5 (smaller than 7.5) for 007 versus 3x1.5+2x1.5 (7.5 even) for 011.

At least as of 5 years ago, 007 used to tend to put significantly more district cars up. And those that were put up weren't playing hide-and-seek games with street level drug dealers instead of patrolling and answering their calls. But that's neither here nor there. 011 used to be supplemented much more frequently by SOS and assorted other clout bun, er, go-getters.

011 used to have a lot of downed midnite cars, detailed response and beat cars, and cars not available for just about any reason the morons-in-charge could think of. Midnite crew used to be the most pathetically undermanned in the city, close to 006's chronic shortages. The violence there can get overwhelming, especially when half the uniforms are hiding in bushes for hours hoping to grab a package off of a juvenille.

007 had almost as much violence, but it always seemed to be a bit more under control. The scariest thing about 007 was the number of mentals and police-fighting families. But the police response was always overwhelming force. By comparison, it seemed like there were more people willing to let a few rounds loose towards the police in 011.

Anyway, definitely a disproportionate percentage of the patrol division resourcs are allocated to 007 and 011. But half or more of the police department ain't in patrol, and they sure as hell ain't patrolling around in 007 and 011 if they can help it.

Not defending Mary Mitchell. She's a piece of shit for the garbage she wrote. But 011 was staring the department in the face for decades, and nobody did anything about ensuring proper manpower was available until Cline, and that's probably more because Starks (who was a w/c in 011 before his promotion) was acutely aware of just how overwhelmed the working police in 011 were.

Which is all to say, I don't really care how many are assigned to 007 or 011 or whatever. The whole police department ought to be assiged (by default) to a district, and then the politicians and clout-bunnies can start f'ing around with the manpower. But right now, there are too many people not in patrol and not doing anything for any argument about relative numbers of beats/sector to be relevant.

3/12/2006 02:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is it when it's in the black community crime is always, always reported. It's incredible to me that when it happens somewhere other then the west and southside it's rarely reported on the news. Oh no, another black victim, let's glorify it.

3/12/2006 02:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it true Dep. Chief Killackey is back. Federal money ran out for his new position so the city is holding his spot until the money resurfaces. I guess jack couldn't make it on that $95,000 a year police pension???

3/12/2006 02:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sick of all the tax money being spent on the "people" who pay the least amount of taxes. The savages on the west and south sides recieve more police service than any copper or copper's family in 016, 022...etc. If you want to see a deserved allocation of police/tax resources in addition to a heightened awareness of proper police conduct, put the police in the districts where they live.

3/12/2006 02:29:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bring back the 10hr watch!!!!!!

3/12/2006 02:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

2:14:29 PM


SQ. MILES/ POPULATION*

007 6.54/ 91,600

011 6.09/ 82,392

*Source: 2000 U.S. Census.

3/12/2006 02:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First of all on the national level white people do receive an incredible amount of coverage from the media when they are murdered. Laci Peterson, that girl in Aruba.
Though many black people are ofter very responsible for their own murder, there are many Black people who are truly victims. Now you can always argue that any Black person or white person who is of voting age and votes Democratic and is murdered is partly responsible for their victimization. After all they voted Democratic.
Secondly 2:14 PMs point was that about 25% (possibly larger) of the department isn't doing any work for anyone whether it's Mt. Greenwood, Jefferson park or where ever. The only thing these people are protecting is their basement. I'll put up the number and laziness of the CPD clout bunnies against any other branch of city governemt any day. Not by percentage though, just whole numbers. They're still a minority on the department, but a very large minority.

3/12/2006 02:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I LOVE IT WHEN A BLACK GIRL IS KILLED..THAT IS ONE LESS BREEDER,AND I LIKE WATCHING ALL THE PEOPLE MARCH AND YELLING STOP THE VIOLENCE..I GUEST I JUST LIKE SEEING A PARADE...HA HA

3/12/2006 03:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

2:44, I don't have a measuring tape long enough to measure the actual distance between the Dan Ryan and the tracks (east of Western) for the East and West borders of 007, but 55th to 75th is 20 blocks. In Chicago that translates into 2.5 miles. Since the Ryan is all West of State and the tracks are all east of western, I get less than 3 miles from one end to the other. That is, State to Western is 24 blocks. In Chicago that would translate into 3 miles, so the Ryan to the tracks translates into less than 3 miles.

Thus my less than 7.5 miles.

For 011, its Western to Cicero, Madison to Roosevelt, and Kedzie to Cicero, Madison to Division. Western to Cicero is certainly 3 miles, and Kedzie to Cicero is certainly 2 miles.

Which leaves Division to Madison and Madison to Roosevelt. As Division and Roosevelt are each 1200 (North and South respectively), I'm putting em each down as 1.5 miles. Thus, my 7.5 square miles totaly for 011. Perhaps the census doesn't realize the actual borders of 011, or something like that.

But I'm open to suggestions. Is it less than 1.5 miles from Roosevelt to Madison or from Madison to Division? That's the only way I can imagine 011 being less than 7.5 square miles.

What gives?

3/12/2006 03:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I should add, for 6.09 square miles for 011 to be accurate (rounded down to 6), the census might have thought that Division Madison and Madison to Roosevelt are each 1.2 miles. Which would give 1.2x3+1.2x2= 6.

Is it possible that they thought each full block (100, 200, 300 South and North etc) was .1 miles instead of 1/8 of a mile? It wouldn't be the first time a government employee screwed something like this up. Or maybe it is only 1.2 miles and not 1.5. Were Chicago's founders subscribing to the metric system?

A 7th district copper standing at the mall on Halsted once asked on the radio how to get to Madison St. and how far it would be by bus.

No matter. There are still a huge number of POs who aren't serving and protecting any district. The more I think about this, the more I think the answer is to assign EVERYONE to a district for purposes of default. Assign em out to SOS, the detective division, graphic arts, the OEMC, the state's attorney's office, mounted, marine or whatever else from there. But make their default assignment as police officers assigned to a district and a watch.

3/12/2006 03:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Mary Mitchell, stay out of the black persons buisness? More than a few old timers might be around who can attest to this actual scenario that played out incessantly back in the Sixties: Black family in Fillmore calls the police for whatever assistance and a black police officer appears at the door. Black family won't open their front door and again calls PO5-1313 and requests the "real police" meaning white officers be dispatched to handle the job. Sad, but it happended often. Growing up I worked with, had a few beers with, and talked with numerous black co-workers. If I heard it once, I heard it a hundred times-they would take their chances with the white officer over a black policeman anytime. Whether it was sitting in their cars drinking in 015 or fighgting w/ the babys mama they stated they were usually treated with respect-and not robbed by the white officers. There's good in bad in everyone-but this is the origin of the term "real police".

3/12/2006 03:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Should some cultures be allowed to do as the will they would degenerate into a state not much different then that currently found in Libera. If you can call allowing your 6 year old daughter to be in the room while you smoke up some weed and whatch porn a culture. I dont.

3/12/2006 04:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To 3:06
You are 100% correct on that!!!!
Fuck these rat fuck breeders!!!!

3/12/2006 04:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

3:17 & 3:28 PM

Madison St. to Roosevelt Rd. is exactly one mile. Madison St. to Division St. is 1.5 miles apart.

Along Pulaski Rd. in 011, the distance from Roosevelt Rd. to division St. is 2.5 miles.

Harrison St. is midway between Madison St. and Roosevelt Rd.

Using the south curb on Madison St. beginning at Western Ave, one mile increments westbound occur at. Kedzie Ave., Pulaski Rd. and Cicero Ave.

YOUR ERROR: Madison St. to Roosevelt Rd. in only ONE MILE, not 1 1/2.

I can also explain the additional complication of 0.09 square miles, if you insist. Meet me at Homan Ave. and Division St. with a surveyor at midnight.

3/12/2006 05:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm white as a ghost and I'll tell you what, Patterson is a good guy. It isn't his fault that people are killing each other. Murder was a frequent occurance in Englewood before his tenure and will be long after he is gone. As far as bosses go he is a good guy to work for, which is rare from a Gold Star of any color.

3/12/2006 05:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

2:50 The media reports on what is "sensational". White murders are reported more often because they are more infrequent on a per capita basis. There isn't a news program long enough to encompass all the black crime. Plus, if you report too much black crime you are considered racist. Why don't you think they ever give a description of an offender when a crime has been committed by a black person? This isn't ever done, even when the info would be very useful (such as when the person is still at large).

3/12/2006 05:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Distances of exactly ONE MILE between parallel streets in Chicago are in fact in increments of EIGHT full city blocks with ONE EXCEPTION:

Beginning at Madison St. and proceeding south, the one mile increments occur at Roosevelt Rd. Cermak Rd. and 31st St.

3/12/2006 05:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dude thanks. And I am being serious, as I love Chicago, its geography and its history (but not the Democrats) but had never heard that before.

Which then leaves us with 1.5x2 for the north end of 011 and 1x3 for the south end of 011, which is almost exactly six as you indicated.

Note, I'm taking you on your word here, and will not second guess this further.

FWIW, by some quirk of nature during my 14 years of college and graduate level education, I actually took surveying classes and work extensively with surveying equipment now (but not actually doing any surveying). If I meet you, I might be alone ;)>

Seriously thanks. That is the first useful and interesting bit of new information I've obtained today.

And that story about a 7th district trooper is true.

"Uhm, yeah squad, I've got a handwaver who is asking how to get to Madison street. Can somebody help me out and let me know how to get to Madison from 63rd and Halsted, and also how far it is by bus?" I recall that guy from days in 008 who used to be really funny (like really, really funny... his son is on the job still) coming up with a "hmph, public schools" within 2 seconds.

3/12/2006 05:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nope... Killackey had to un-retire because his appointment was not approved by the City council and if he didn't he would not be getting any $$$. His application will be approved,but for now he is detailed to the 911 center until his approval. Does it get any better than this...though it could be possible there is a height requirement there. If your are not this tall...you can't reach the emergency siren switch.

3/12/2006 06:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ATTN: 007 guy at 63rd & Halsted Sts.

Tell the "hand waver" to proceed exactly seven miles north to arrive at (Halsted) Madison St. One mile increments are:
Garfield Blvd., 47th St., Pershing Rd., 31st St., Cermak Rd., Roosevelt Rd. and finally, Madison St.

3/12/2006 06:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well Ms. Mitchell another black child killed by gunfire. And it was most likely done by a black male. I'm a white police officer, should I stay out of black peoples business now??

3/12/2006 06:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blacks are truley victims....yes of other blacks. Get a job, brush your teeth and learn how to live. Stop blaming everyone else for the savage way you people live.

3/12/2006 07:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I live in 022. Three beat cars to a sector, so that means nine primary beats. The beats are hugh also, and when the car for my beat is taken off to the east end, that means less coverage.

Now look at 007. That district is about as large as four beats in 022. And they have FIVE beats per sector for a total of FIFEEN primary beats. Coupled with rapid response they get a hell of a lot more police protection than I get. And for a fraction of the price.

Now look at the social issues: 007 has plenty of people who don't mind slinging dope on the corner, shooting guns aimlessly (and boy do I mean aimlessly) trashing their own neighborhoods and generally living like the scum of the earth. This in spite of all the police protection they are given.

Why is this? What about all the good people of 007 who can't go outside because of the thugs? Wait, I forgot.....the new "heroes" of the black community. How could I be so forgetful. Mitchell wants us to let the black community pick their "heroes" and whitey should stay out of it.

OK, I'm out of it. You want thuglife, you got thuglife. They're killing your young people. And don't cry about guncontrol, because that isn't the problem. It's a lack of morality where the young people don't give a shit!

Ms. Mitchell, what you sow is what you reap. Enjoy your meal.

3/12/2006 09:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Since my kids are forced to learn about black history, i'm wondering how many blacks know about their history. What are they taught in those ghetto schools we pay for. Black history month is a joke to blacks. Teach them to read, add and subtract. Now that would be worth something. Does each race get a month, NO! This city is made up of many minorities, and they get no special month. Why is CPS pushing this on the rest of us and letting the other races get little or no mention?

3/12/2006 10:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They're animals anyway, so let them lose their souls.

Don Zaluchi

Godfather (1972)

3/12/2006 11:32:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

True story: I was working tact in a predominantly black district a few years ago and the youngsters were off of school on a holiday in January. I asked them why they were off, and they said it was a holiday, which I replied, I know it's a holiday, but can you tell me which one? Out of six of these wonderful CPS students not one new that it was Martin Luther King day. How's that for knowing their history?

3/13/2006 12:22:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Its a awful what is happening in the black communities---when will all these pieces of shit gang bangers stop hurting their own people--those two kids killed by stray gun fire is terrible!! And 3:06 you are a sick individual who I feel if you truly believe what you wrote should kill yourself because society would be better off without you---gang bangers that commit crimes of violence should all be executed--

3/13/2006 12:51:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME TO THESE BLOGS. YOU GUYS ARE ALL COWARDS
DO NOTHING MOTHER FUCKS THAT NEVER DID A DAYS WORK ON THE JOB. ALL ASSHOLES THAT CAME ON AT 28 YEARS OF AGE, FAILED AT THEIR CAREERS, THAT THEY WENT TO COLLEGE FOR, AND NOW THEY WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER TAO PAY THEIR BILLS, MAKE A GOOD WAGE, AND DO NOTHING.

3/13/2006 02:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME TO THESE BLOGS. YOU GUYS ARE ALL COWARDS
DO NOTHING MOTHER FUCKS THAT NEVER DID A DAYS WORK ON THE JOB. ALL ASSHOLES THAT CAME ON AT 28 YEARS OF AGE, FAILED AT THEIR CAREERS, THAT THEY WENT TO COLLEGE FOR, AND NOW THEY WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER TAO PAY THEIR BILLS, MAKE A GOOD WAGE, AND DO NOTHING.

3/13/2006 02:06:10 AM

So whats your point??? Thanks for paying my salery and I will continue to do nothing and count the money on the 1st and 16th.

3/13/2006 02:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I propose a citywide ban on kool-aid and cheetos. Theys gots to be some performance enhancing drugs in that shit. It makes them run fast.

3/13/2006 03:03:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME TO THESE BLOGS. YOU GUYS ARE ALL COWARDS
DO NOTHING MOTHER FUCKS THAT NEVER DID A DAYS WORK ON THE JOB.


You are among the same group of people who are for censorship on the radio and tv. How's this for an idea. If you don't like it, DONT LOG ONTO IT YOU ANNOYING FUCK. GO STAND ON YOUR SOAPBOX ON SOME STREET CORNER AND SELL YOUR CRAZY SOME PLACE ELSE.

3/13/2006 03:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

yett he didnt but HIS name on it

3/13/2006 05:19:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

007 2-1/2 miles by 2-1/2 miles.

5 beats in each sector.

10 sector 5500 S. to 6300 S.

20 Sector 6300 S. to 6900 S.

30 Sector 6900 S. to 7500 S.

Eastern Border: The Expressway/State street in the 30 sector

Western Border: Hamilton

3/13/2006 06:41:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How long before Patterson looses his Command of 7? Can't blame the white police Commander on this one. Patterson, Walsh...hmmmmm

3/12/2006 12:55:13 PM

----------

None of this has anycorelation to how much bosses get paid or how high their rnak gets.

3/13/2006 10:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Until the witness' start coming forward in numbers and identify these pieces of shit in their neighborhoods, the killing will continue. They only get upset when one of their own kids is killed. Then it's the police who weren't doing enough. It's always easier to blame us than accept the fact that they let the dealers and bangers run wild without fear of being turned in.

3/13/2006 10:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

KNEW IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY START BLAMING THE POLICE...THE FAMILY OF THE SECOND GIRL KILLED SAYS SHE IS DISAPPOINTED IN THE POLICE BECAUSE THEY LET HER FAMILY DOWN....HOW IS THE POLICE DEPT'S FAULT...THERE ARE MORE CARS IN 007 THAN EVER BEFORE...HOW ABOUT BLAMING THE FAMILIES OF THE PIECES OF SHIT THAT SHOT HER, OR THE GANG BANGING FRIEND WHO WERE HANGING OUT IN FRONT WHEN SHE GOT SHOT..WHAY ARE THE BANGER FAMILY MEMBERS ALLOWED TO HANG OUT AT A 10 YR OLD'S PARTY....IF THEY WERN'T HANGING ON THE PORCH, THEY WOULN'T HAVE MADE THE HOUSE A TARGET...SAD TO SEE ANY INNOCENT CHILD KILLED,...THE PAPERS WILL WRITE ABOUT IT, THE COMMUNITY WILL MOURN FOR A FEW DAYS AND IT'LL BE BACK TO BUSINESSS AS USUAL....UNTIL THE NEXT ONE GETS SHOT...NOTE TO THE COMMUNITY...POLICE YOUR OWN HOUSES, KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE, AND IF THEY ARE INVOLVED WITH GANGS DONT DENY IT (NOT MY SON) KICK THEIR ASSES TO THE CURB..IT HAS TO START IN THE HOME 1ST...BOTTOM LINE

3/13/2006 10:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Young lives pay the price when thugs run free


Published March 13, 2006


I've been trying to figure out what breaks my heart most about the deaths of the two little girls recently shot and killed in homes in the Englewood neighborhood.

Both 14-year-old Starkesia Reed and 10-year-old Siretha White were slain by bullets that came through windows. Both were gunned down just days and blocks from one another. Starkesia, killed March 3, had been getting ready for school. Siretha, killed Saturday night, was attending a surprise birthday party.

How incredibly sad that two places believed to be sanctuaries--first the faded white house in the 6700 block of South Honore Street; then the gray two-story in the 2000 block of West 70th Place--couldn't wall them off from the bad guys.

It disturbs me that windows, in a metaphorical sense at least, are supposed to let children see out into a colorful world of possibilities--but too often in embattled communities, they only frame desolation and despair.

- - -

What breaks my heart most about the murders of these two children?

Maybe it's that although I know there are many good people in Englewood, there are far too many thugs who can be described as a "real and present danger to the community," as a judge last week referred to the 24-year-old man charged in Starkesia's death.

Maybe it's that these thugs have too-easy access to dangerous weapons.

Friday's Tribune commentary by former Assistant U.S. Atty. Ronald S. Safer eloquently made the case that our lawmakers have lacked the backbone needed to stand up to the National Rifle Association. There is no law stopping someone from manufacturing, distributing and selling assault weapons to non-felons.

It bothers me that semi-automatic weapons too easily can be converted to automatic weapons. And that the shooters are often as inept and aimless as they are soulless and wind up haphazardly spraying bullets up and down the street, hitting innocents.

Maybe what bothers me most is that the criminals as well as too many lawmakers just don't seem to care.

- - -

It makes me angry that young thugs who deal drugs and gang-bang continue to undermine efforts to redevelop a community that has no main grocery store within a few miles and too many homes owned by absentee landlords and headed by women who are single parents.

I'm angry that the drive to lure the middle class with new homes and other developments is pushed back and the community just suffers more.

It disturbs me that the preachers and "leaders" who come forward right after these tragedies often recede as the glow of the spotlight does.

Maybe what bothers me most is that the spotlight inevitably has to recede. And with the exception of the girls' family members and those who leave the Mylar balloons and the stuffed animals and the sympathy cards, too many of us inevitably will move on.

- - -

It drives me nuts that the deaths of these two little girls may provide further evidence to young people on the fringes that there is no reason for them to strive to do better. Longevity may not be their lot.

I wonder how empty the school principals, the teachers, the social workers must feel when children are cut down senselessly. I wonder if they question whether their hard work is in vain.

I wonder how the parents find the strength to keep going.

- - -

Maybe what breaks my heart most about the death of these two little girls is that it's becoming more and more difficult for me to believe that a killer can be redeemed.

- - -

This I do know: Spring is not a hopeful season for everyone in Chicago. For residents of neighborhoods like Englewood, the warm weather doesn't just signal for them to prepare the ground for budding flowers.

And the coming season doesn't always invite the children to play, outdoors or apparently indoors, for that matter.

In the poorest communities, spring beckons for the thugs to come out and ply their reckless trade and, too often, for the parents to get flowers ready for the graves.

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dtrice@tribune.com





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3/13/2006 11:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love it when thugs and lowlifes kill innocent people, then the media blames the NRA. Well, I'm the NRA!! I don't advocate random killing.

In case anyone forgot, it's been against the law to kill another person since we first started having laws. It's not the gun, it's the thug cocksucker who is willing to shoot someone that is the problem.

Get rid of the thug and the problem goes away. But that will be difficult since "thugs" are the heroes of Ms. Mitchell's community.

3/13/2006 11:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How many killers have we (cpd) locked up that are legal gun owners? Research that statistic Ms. Mitchell!
The overwhelming majority of killers and or gun abusers are criminals, NOT working people of any color.

3/13/2006 02:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was at a crime scene where someone was stabbed to death.

Lets outlaw knives!!

Maybe when someone is beat to death with a bat, outlaw bats!!

It's amazing how people can point the finger at anything when they do not want to address the real issue.

3/13/2006 03:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sick sick sick of hearing,"COMMUNITY COMMUNITY COMMUNITY!!!!!!!

3/13/2006 06:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 12:55:13, Commander Patterson from 007 is A great Police Officer and a great boss, he is definately in control of the situations in 007,and if you are blasting him YOU sir are NOT the POLICE, and I would be willing to bet that you are a DOG!

3/13/2006 11:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I want a W.E.T. show.
H N E
I T L
T E E
E R V
T I
A S
I I
N O
M N
E
N
T

3/13/2006 11:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who came up with the term repass anyway? All my experiances have been is another reason to have a gang meeting on the street, smoke weed, drink a little EJ and cause chaos. Thats not to say some people dont have them at their houses to actually show respect for the dead and mourn..

3/14/2006 09:28:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was watching TV News on the latest "bullet through the window killings" re: Nugget White. Interviewed was Arnie Dun-kin who blamed all of the "bullet through the windnow shootings on the NRA. I would bet that there is a extremely small percentage of Englewood residents that are members of the NRA. Mr. Dun-kin showed that he is just another loud mouth asshole liberal Democrat who has no idea what he is talking about.
P.S. How about the SUPT. in his get-up. He looked like a 20 star general and I just loved that Digby Security type baseball cap the he was sporting. They are about the dumbest looking hats I have seen.

3/15/2006 02:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

T.N.S. T.N.S. T.N.S.

3/16/2006 01:32:00 AM  

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