015 Demolished
Someone sent us this from the other day. We aren't sure if the job is done yet, but it tugged at our nostalgic side:
If you were lucky enough to serve in one of the tiny, cramped, ancient stations of yesteryear, you know exactly what we mean.
Labels: general
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
141 Comments:
Many a good memeory back in the day in the old 15th district, the place of my first rodeo on the CPD.
Haven't been in that building since 1995, but it still makes me a little sad to see the old white elephant go.
Should demolish the area with it.
If the walls could talk the tales they would tell....
Remember working missions in 015 with SOG North in the 1970s 1980s. Brought lots of arrest into that old station house. Time goes on.
Old Fort Forgotten!
Landing spot for many a dumped copper (and white shirt).
The best kept secret in the CPD. Ya think the people dumped there were gonna then work their asses off for anyone? Accordingly, little was expected... just show up sober and try to stay out of trouble. Great bosses and a fun place to work, old school style, till it all came crashing down with Operation Broken Star when Pacman and his boys flipped over to the dark side and killed the golden goose.
But, oh the memories...!
~
RIP 015, I hardly knew ye! ;-)
And in particular, eternal rest to Willie Penn, Gregory Young and Daniel Doffyn. You guys will never be forgotten.
I'll also never forget that second floor - where today could one find a co-ed locker room?
"If you were lucky enough to serve in one of the tiny, cramped, ancient stations of yesteryear, you know exactly what we mean"
I know exactly what you mean SCC. Looking back after 22 years...it went by so fast. God the bosses and officers I worked with, both good and bad..what a ride. Sweating in the summer, freezing in the winter. We didn't have "processing rooms" separated by windows or cages from our prisoners. We were inches away...we had prisoners fighting with prisoners...on a hot weekend night, the arrest rooms were mobbed and you had to fight for the one inventory book in the station lol. Yes we had only one.
We had ICAM and thought that was the cutting edge, lol. If you wanted a mug shot, it took maybe a week. Most experienced officers, (and I still have one) had their own thick 4" notebook with all the obscure laws and complaints. We didn't need Data Warehouse, it was all in our heads and/or someone else’s.
We rotated….we had "go to" officers on the watch…we had "go to" bosses….you rarely saw a commander, he was God personified. You rarely saw or asked for a sgt. You made a decision, lived with it, and if a CR showed up, you relied on your sgt. to get you out of it. That's when you needed him or her. You just didn’t call for a sgt period. And if he/she did show up,you had better have a good reason for requesting a sgt. It had better be serious and you NEVER asked why or challenged him or her. You did what they asked.
Now…I have 8 years to go til I max. Everyday is a challenge. No respect from the citizens, cavalier or apathetic attitude of some,I repeat only some, thank God, on the job. To the younger officers, Damn, we were the Real Police at one time…we wore the same uniform,we all had revolvers, and most of us all wore leather coats. We didn't need dispersal numbers...we drove up to a corner, and in most cases didn't need to tell the animals to leave...they were smart enough to know. If you only knew or were there to experience what real policing is all about. Be safe and back each other up...it's all we have left.
And yes...some of us old time officers and bosses are still in Patrol, doing the jobs we've always done and will continue to do.
Judy Martin is moving up come friday. She has my back
015 was old but was much larger than most of the old tiny ass ones.
A sign of the times...
The solid old ones are getting knocked down and out,replaced by new larger, weaker, soul-less structures...
Parallels alot of things...
Sad to see such great history go. Oh the memories!
Sorry o.t.
I was calculating the homicide numbers today, and as of this date, Chicago has had 417 homicides. Last year's total was 449. So, unless we get a shitload of murders in the next couple of weeks, then we've had a reduction in crime. It's fairly obvious that this reduction was due to elite teams like the saturation, mobile strike force, and the one I was on, TRU. Way to go Rahm for letting McCarthy cut those units out of the C.P.D. system.
To the old-timers reading this comment, with no hate in their hearts, that worked in the old 015, I give you guys a big shout out and props. I wish I could have worked there back in the day when they had the first co-ed locker room. It's okay though, I work in 023 now and get plenty of girlies numbers. Peace out and never forget the old dudes. Even though sometimes they ramble on about stupid shit.
:-(
Ahh, if those walls could talk. The 015th district once was the jewel of the city. Beautifull parks, big homes with back yards. It truly was the suburbs in the city.
Then a curse befell the area, with idiotic fair housing laws that were in reality unfair to everyone including the poor.
Fort Forgotten! It's a good thing those walls couldn't speak...
Spent many years in old 009 " the house of pain", many times so many arrestees being processed on any random summer night your offender handcuffed in roll call room while you sat near him writing out your arrest/ case report on bench as he sat their yelling and mitherfu$king you. New guys are spoiled arnt they!
Rest In Peace ~ Chicago Police Department
Police Officer Daniel J. Doffyn 015
EOW: Wednesday, March 8, 1995
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Dell Fountain 015
EOW: Saturday, March 23, 1996
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Gregory Ivan Young 015
EOW: Thursday, September 18, 1997
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sergeant Alan J. Haymaker
EOW: Monday, February 22, 2010
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
PO 015 - Sgt 023
And all not named who perished before, Rest In Peace, brothers and sisters
Another Ghetto, off street parking lot now that it is vacant.
We aren't sure if the job is done yet, but it tugged at our nostalgic side.
If you were lucky enough to serve in one of the tiny, cramped, ancient stations of yesteryear, you know exactly what we mean.
Wow, Fort Forgotten.
If walls could only talk...!
Any chance you can post some vintage pics from in side?
Man if those walls could talk!!!
Not a copper but I have been a huge fan/supporter of the CPD.
12 yrs ago I was 23 new to the city and a victim of a horrible assault. I was walking to meet friends at the L&L tavern on N Clark street. I was grabbed by some idiot thug with a knife. He demanded my money or my life. I have never been a stranger to the random fistfight growing up but this was real scary shit. I tried to reason with him to lower his knife off my neck and just grab the money. He didn't go for that.
He stabbed me in the right side of my chest. Deep... I only thought that he punched me really really hard. So I swung around threw a couple of wild punches that may or may not have landed I just can't remember. He ran so I ended up running the opposite way.
Long story longer...
I ran to my friends and was barely able to stand to tell them what happened. next thing I knew I wake up a day later I realized that something terrible went wrong. I was in the hospital in and out of consciousness. My doctor told me my lung collapsed, liver was severed, stomach punctured and diaphragm was also punctured.
I should have died.
After being in the hospital for 11 days I was quite week. Deciding that walking the easiest and only means of exercise I took to the neighborhood.
Guess who I saw?
The shitbird who stabbed me.
I wish I could remember the arresting officer who chased him down. He got 8 years with no chance of parole. Something tells me he is probably back in jail for other charges by now HA!
Stay safe out there officers.
Thankful Citizen
OT: From a Trib article regarding a chase in 18 tonight;
“We were just trying to get the (Lexus) boxed in, hoping it wouldn’t go anywhere,” Bryant said. “We were trying to make as safe a stop as possible.”
This is why coppers should STFU and not talk to the press, now you just admitted to violating the pursuit general order by boxing in, in the press, and fronted off yourself, your Sgt. and WC.
I remember doing paper arrests in the summer there with no AC in the processing rooms. It was like working in an oven and the arrest looked like someone splashed water on it from sweating so much.
Cooper doing DUI's.....
I worked in the original 005th District at 115th and Indiana from March 1981 until they closed it and moved to the current location shared with Area 2. You had to be in good physical shape to get to the Tac office on the third floor. Small, hot, and crowded, but it had character . . . and if the walls could talk!
The Bernie and Doug show, Cmdr. That there guy, Lt. John L., Tim Fallon and Angone, the painting investigation, Major Tap, Capt. Hughes, no. 1., Eddie King. I could go on and on, what a laugh it was going to work. I was there a few months and had the opportunity to transfer to R & D, was interviewed by Supt. O'Grady, and turned it down to remain at 15. Unfortunetly when Comdr. Sandfish and his group of pirates were transferred into the district it was the beginning of the end.
I have memories from 15 that will last me the rest of my life and the best time I ever spent on the job.
Anonymous said...
Wait until we get the LAZ bill for being inconvenient for stripping parking around the city for G8. The true bill is going to be astronomical! You thought 13 Mil was bad, just wait. What the 'Occupy Chicago' people should do is make it impossible for LAZ to operate in the city, as a sign of public outrage.
12/14/2011 02:42:00 AM
This is very true! One of the news stations has to do a report on this. LAZ has it written in their contract that whenever the city closes a street for anything, a movie, a fest, street cleaning, that the city then must reimburse LAZ for parking for the entire day for every single spot affected.
Add to the fact that all these spots downtown go for over $6 an hour, it add up quick. No even taking in G8-NATO how much has the city paid out in this many for downtown alone since the contract has started? Streets and spots are constantly closed downtown for a million different reasons.
You look at how much LAZ made in one year, close to $60 million. This contact runs for 99 years. At that rate and not even taking into consideration of rate increases LAZ will have made back their initial invest back in about 18 years. THAT LEAVES 82 YEARS OF PURE PROFIT!
015 District New Years Eve Party from the 1970's, one car would be sent to St Annes hospital and bring back a bag of ice from the ER room, another, another car would to go Laramie and Lake liquor store and bring back vodka, and another car would go to the Duncan Donuts and bring back orange juice, put them all together and Happy New Year 015 District style, the bottle of vodka would hang out the window at the front desk for when the cars came into the station for station assignmets . Retired Revolver Police
The solid old ones are getting knocked down and out,replaced by new larger, weaker, soul-less structures...
Yea, Kinda like the bosses.
Rest In Peace ~ Chicago Police Department
Police Officer Daniel J. Doffyn 015
EOW: Wednesday, March 8, 1995
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Dell Fountain 015
EOW: Saturday, March 23, 1996
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Police Officer Gregory Ivan Young 015
EOW: Thursday, September 18, 1997
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Sergeant Alan J. Haymaker
EOW: Monday, February 22, 2010
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
PO 015 - Sgt 023
And all not named who perished before, Rest In Peace, brothers and sisters
Don't forget Pablo, and Willie Penn JR.
OT ... huge command changes coming on Friday. Was told this by a great source at 35th Street.
Old story from an old guy (not a cop). I grew up in Austin and a lot of my friends worked there. In the early 80s my mother's car was stolen and recovered. They had it in the parking lot in back and called to have it picked up before it went to the impound lot. I got my brother-in-law and we went there at 10 on a Friday night. When we got there, it was busy and the Desk Sgt. told us to have a seat on the long bench in front of him. I told Ken, "I've been here before". Good luck to all.
Panhandler who beat woman in South Loop arrested again
When will this end. Thanks Quinn!!!
@1.04am,,,,,,,,,The old 020 had some women in the men's locker room as theirs also doubled as the boiler room. Many times men and women were in their BVDs at the same time......nobody cared, because at least you were lucky enough to have a locker and not have to live out of the trunk of your car.
I am surprised they are tearing it down at this point.
It must mean the city pulled some scam and sold the property?
ANYONE in 015 know whats up?
Heres the kicker it is being replaced with a apartment complex for new moms. The wrecker told me that and I said I hope the damn thing is a skyscraper.
I wish I could remember the arresting officer who chased him down. He got 8 years with no chance of parole. Something tells me he is probably back in jail for other charges by now HA!
Stay safe out there officers.
Thankful Citizen
//////////////////////////////////
Your gratitude is better than gold to us. I'm sure that officer really appreciates your acknowledgement.
Through those portals passed some of the worst the city ever produced escorted in by some of the best the city ever employed.
I agree with the "If the walls could talk" comments. One thing I remember are the sax concerts by the "Fish".
1970's Desk crew had a full stocked bar in 15 .
I had my share of CLUSTERFUCKS there! LOL!
3 bars
SCC said...
"If you were lucky enough to serve in one of the tiny, cramped, ancient stations of yesteryear, you know exactly what we mean."
Sounds like the definition of the "old" 023 closed last year.
Just saying...
I'm in my 50s now but when we were kids in the mid-late 60s we lived in an apartment building across the street at Lockwood and Chicago and we used to play and hang out on the front steps of the station and the cops going in and out were the friendliest guys around. Then came 1968 and the whole world changed and everybody moved and the whole west side went to shit.
Anonymous said...
"If you were lucky enough to serve in one of the tiny, cramped, ancient stations of yesteryear, you know exactly what we mean"
I retired in 1999.
As the years pass you remember the good times,the good guys and F-n forget all the bullshit you had to put up with.
Good stuff brother.
Stay safe.
Who are these hotshots giving interviews to scummy newspapers about chasing stolen cars and the boxing it in ??? I guess they didn't get burned yet by the system... Someday they will learn.
Anyone know about this guy?
'What I learned as a cop'
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/middle-class-guy/2011/dec/13/what-i-learned-cop/
Peter Bella is a retired Chicago Police Officer, freelance writer, freelance photographer, and consultant. He is a passionate cook and eater. He likes to be the sharp stick that pokes, annoys, and provokes. His opinions are his and his alone.
Hey someone grab some of those bricks for keep sakes.
Do you remember the double duck taped sign that said "men" on one side and "women" on the other side we'd hang in the co-ed shower. the new people would ask does it mean ok for which. Ha Ha ?
How many people tried to jump out those windows.
Best bunch of people I worked with in the 21 calendars I ve known.
I will miss Fort Forgotten
worked in both 015's only the old building has memories, I still have my Fort Forgotten T-Shirt, and yes I do remember the Co-Ed Locker room, they changed it after the Austin 7, Gone but still Fort Forgotten. You'll live as long as I do. R.I.P.
"It's fairly obvious that this reduction was due to elite teams like the saturation, mobile strike force, and the one I was on, TRU."
TRU dat.
Butt the biggest reason for fewer homicides this year is 181,453 less soles taking a dump on Chicago toilets in 2010 than there were in 2000.
Peace out.
Happen to drive past and saw the wrecking crew at work. The guys were gracious enough to let me have some bricks from the Old Girl.
My Dad boxed there as a kid in the gym that became our roll call room. I spent my Youth in 015 and had some of my best times while working out of 5327 W. Chicago Ave.
"Danger is no stranger to an Austin District Ranger!"
Good Bye "Fort Forgotten" - Thanks for everything!
Old Austin PO
Great place work. Some goofy bosses but the coppers all stuck together in a way I haven't seen in years. Watches were super tight and the work ethic was strong. Bosses were great about time due. Still remember the old lockup. Cells were packed on weekends. Still maintain the old 15 is the best group of men and women I have ever worked with. I learned so much from them.
off topic, but could anyone suggest a jeweler with the "good mold" for our chicago police shield rings? i heard in the past from some old timers, long since retired, that their was a good mold and some drama amongst jewelers for rights to it. or just somewhere you bought one and were happy with the quality. any info would help thanks. stay safe, stay classy brothers. On topic, old 010 is still standing, reopen old marquette reopen my mistakes!
Stay safe out there officers.
Thankful Citizen
12/14/2011 03:20:00 AM
Thanks for telling your story. I am sad that you were injured, but was honored to read your accounting of the events and glad you recovered. And, even though it happened and brought you near death, the Lord was with you throughout your ordeal.
And I am very happy that your friends, CPD and CFD EMS on scene, the doctors and nurses at the hospital and, finally, one of my brothers or sisters that helped you capture the offender, were his instruments to help you survive and assist you to bring the dirtbag to justice. Even though it all started bad, He allowed you to finish it standing up.
A day in 015 and a night in the Cave. Memories.
OH Yeah, if the walls could talk you would hear " Dont hits me nomore" LOL !!!!
Great memories of the best watch parties in the city! Anybody remember Waxmonsky's punch! The best crew of people (1991-1998)in 20 years!
Quit your whining!
If the walls could talk, The memories, !I could go on and on, the crazy bosses, processing prisoners in the hallway, male and female P/O's dressing next 2 each other no parking etc.I would do it all over again!. God Bless, Raise a Glass of Christmas/ New Years Cheer to Old 015!!!!
Peace and Love From A West Side Cop
Old 015 was a similar structure to the old 010. That one coming down too ?
I was promoted to Sgt. and reported for duty in 015, First Watch, on 26 mar. 1996. My W/C, Lt. Doug Prine greeted me with "Congratulations on your promotion. You are my new 1520, beat Team Leader of 1522, here's a CR #, and 2 Court Infractions.... Welcome to 015."
I got to know the people there and can honestly say that I worked with the best of the best. Great Lt.'s, Great Sgt.'s, Great P.O.'s... I treasure my time there at good old Fort Forgotten. We had some fun times, scary times, sad times but they were all OURS....
Please add a R.I.P for Sgt Berkelin Fowles who passed away recently... True Gentleman.
Sgt. Bruce RAPA (RET)
They are making room for a Starbucks.
12/14/11 1:46 a.m.
Are you kidding me?
There are still douche bags from TRU posting about how they made all the difference in the world.
Who suppressed crime during the last two hours of your tour while you and eight other members of your "elite" unit" were hunkered down at Dunkin' Donuts ?
Here's a newsflash for you Tackleberry. You DID NOT invent policing. There were units before you and there will be units again.
Jesus. And people wonder where they develop terms like hair gel police. Get over yourself Officer TRU. I think we'll be able to manage without you.
Can you imagine the TRU Christmas party? I'm sure your spouses loved being around the TRU war story boner fest.
"That dude was SO pissed when I popped him off with that 1811"
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........
First walk through those doors as a CPD civilian employee in 1973.
As a new recruit in 1978...
...when the OLD 15th was what 015 and 025 is put together. It was literally two districts back then with two set of cops. You had th4e North End Cops, with their Corfram shoes, a mover and a parker book rubber banded together maybe with an Eveready Explorer flashlight.
Then you had a the South End Ghetto Cops, who may have gear bags with carbines and axe handles and always carried something interesting like a Colt 1911, Browning 1935 or Big Ass Revolver.
I learned a lot from those great cops and bosses back then and still trying to pass it on these days.
P.S. I will also send some photos, like of the "POLICE STATION" door
lintel which is on display in the lobby of 015.
Here is a idea, I hope someone has preserved the bronze plaque from the entrance. Take that, the door lintel and some bricks from the old building and build a small faux wall on a blank wall space behind the 015 desk. It would be a nice piece of art and I'd throw a few bucks in to that project.
Let's not forget the Diner on midnights.
Judy Martin is moving up come friday. She has my back
12/14/2011 01:30:00 AM
Where is she moving up to? She has my back, too.
Found this video on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zpgOnFUzU
I remember working there on many occasions as a Youth Officer. The cage could hold maybe 10 but at times there would be many more squeezed in. Most of the time someone was trying to escape out of the little window. That place was the real deal and the coppers that worked there should have made extra battle pay. Now the place will be sold for $1.00 to some B.S. church with ties to the 4 corner hustlers, gd, tvl or some other gang in the area. That would truly be injustice.
I spent my first 11 years in old 015back in the days when the district went all the way north to Belmont.... the troops were great, so were the majority of the bosses...There were always a few clowns but you soon learned to stay far away from them.... I have many fond although not all happy memories from within those walls... Sad to see it go.... 1917 to 2011 is a pretty good run....
Did my PPO months there in late 91. Had the best FTO there ever was: Randy Ugorek. Greg Young & Leroy (forget the last name. He worked 1515) treated this wet behind the ears recruit like an old friend. Saw Sgt Becker throw an inspector out the station, when trying to gig a copper for no hat. Priceless.
R.I.P. old 015!
015 is a great place to be from and not at.
Get over it. The place sucked unless you were an inside do-nothing.
"Retired 015th District Sergeant"
YouTube Video I found of 015 before it was closed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zpgOnFUzU
To the poster at 12/14/2011 01:20:00 AM, you sir are my hero!! I could not have put that into words any better.
Let's be real. Although I agree with Cone of Silence that 015 is a great place to work, the old station was a dump. The new building may not have "character" or "a soul", but it's a thousand times better. Good riddance.
Old 015, I had an unscheduled visit there in 1968 as a 'yute. I was innocent, of course. I will retire next year and then I can tell the rest of the story.
How about a bail out for our pensions?! Assholes.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/9420530-418/report-college-illinois-could-need-16-billion-bailout.html
Illinois’ financially tanking prepaid college tuition program could require a $1.6 billion bailout from the state to remain solvent during the next 25 years, a new study shows.
If state lawmakers do nothing to prop up College Illinois!, the fund could be drained completely by 2022, financial consultant Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company reported in its analysis for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
2/14/2011 06:39:00 AM
Not 99 years....75.
off topic, but could anyone suggest a jeweler with the "good mold" for our chicago police shield rings? i heard in the past from some old timers, long since retired, that their was a good mold and some drama amongst jewelers for rights to it. or just somewhere you bought one and were happy with the quality. any info would help thanks. stay safe, stay classy brothers. On topic, old 010 is still standing, reopen old marquette reopen my mistakes
Danny and debbie jewelers. Police family owned. Dannyanddebbie.com. located in mallers building.
There are many many time capsules in those brick walls (empty bottles).
God, I worked in the old 020, 11th & State. All dumps, but good for some fond memories in spite of that.
I know exactly what you mean SCC. Looking back after 22 years...it went by so fast. God the bosses and officers I worked with, both good and bad..what a ride. Sweating in the summer, freezing in the winter. We didn't have "processing rooms" separated by windows or cages from our prisoners. We were inches away...we had prisoners fighting with prisoners...on a hot weekend night, the arrest rooms were mobbed and you had to fight for the one inventory book in the station lol. Yes we had only one.
We had ICAM and thought that was the cutting edge, lol. If you wanted a mug shot, it took maybe a week. Most experienced officers, (and I still have one) had their own thick 4" notebook with all the obscure laws and complaints. We didn't need Data Warehouse, it was all in our heads and/or someone else’s.
We rotated….we had "go to" officers on the watch…we had "go to" bosses….you rarely saw a commander, he was God personified. You rarely saw or asked for a sgt. You made a decision, lived with it, and if a CR showed up, you relied on your sgt. to get you out of it. That's when you needed him or her. You just didn’t call for a sgt period. And if he/she did show up,you had better have a good reason for requesting a sgt. It had better be serious and you NEVER asked why or challenged him or her. You did what they asked.
Now…I have 8 years to go til I max. Everyday is a challenge. No respect from the citizens, cavalier or apathetic attitude of some,I repeat only some, thank God, on the job. To the younger officers, Damn, we were the Real Police at one time…we wore the same uniform,we all had revolvers, and most of us all wore leather coats. We didn't need dispersal numbers...we drove up to a corner, and in most cases didn't need to tell the animals to leave...they were smart enough to know. If you only knew or were there to experience what real policing is all about. Be safe and back each other up...it's all we have left.
And yes...some of us old time officers and bosses are still in Patrol, doing the jobs we've always done and will continue to do.
12/14/2011 01:20:00 AM
A triple AMEN to your post. Well-said. I've got 2 years to go, was only in patrol for 6 years before making det. The most fun I had was in patrol....hands down.
The good, the bad, the ugly--saw it all and wouldn't trade any of it for a second. Hang in there everyone, things are going to get ugly--you'll just have to outsmart them to still have some fun out there. Be safe all.
Remember having to go to 11th and State to get criminal histories and photos? The other day I found a pad of those little yellow sheets you had to fill out--it made me smile. At 50 I feel ancient. When I came on we didn't have computers. Arrest reports were hand-written. The typewriters were manual. I remember the one inventory book that you'd have to search for. One of the only things that is still here are those big-ass books--CO book, arrest book, whatever. Wow. Technology has done a triple jump.
I am surprised they are tearing it down at this point.
It must mean the city pulled some scam and sold the property?
ANYONE in 015 know whats up?
It's going to be a building to help pregnant teens.
Talk about a bad penny always turning up...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-panhandler-who-beat-woman-in-south-loop-arrested-again-20111214,0,6997391.story
I just watched the YouTube video that somebody posted a reference to. It was interesting and brought back memories of my time in the old 10th District which was of the same design. One thing I noticed was the terazzo floor. 10 had one also with a beautiful City of Chicago design in the middle of it. Some time in the 90's the floor was really dirty, but instead of getting a professional to clean the stone floor somebody decided to cover it up with asphalt tile. What stupidity.
Before O.W. Wilson came along, Austin (5327 W. Chicago Ave.) was the 28th District and Fillmore (4001 W. Fillmore St.) was the 25th District. Fillmore was shaped like an upside down "T" and went south to 16th St. Most of the current 025 was the 30th District (Cragin, 4907 W. Grand Ave.) from North Ave. to Belmont Ave. and from Pulaski Rd. to the city limits with Elmwood Park.
The Austin-Fillmore boundary ran from Kedzie Ave. to Austin Blvd. divided by Madison St. from the RR tracks at Kenton Ave. (4600 W.) to the city limits with Oak Park.
Austin was a great neighborhood back in those days.
Goodnight Pat Arens wherever you are Rodan!
Many memories in the old 015. I was young and thin and could even run back then. Great coppers, rotating shifts and the co-ed locker room didn't exist yet. The few women there came to work either fully dressed in uniform or changed in the washroom. I haven't even seen the old station since 1988 but tearing it down just seems wrong.
to 12/14/2011 01:20:00 AM
Thanks, Officer. Your storytelling brought me back to my childhood surrounded by CPD uncles, grand uncles, cousins- all of whom were pretty hush hush with us young ones- stories were quietly shared only w. the other adults in our family behind closed doors, and I always felt I'd missed out. It's a big reason I've been such a fan of SCC for going on 7 years. I get to peek inside the closed doors daily. :) The CPD cops in our family were such tough, hard-working guys, good family men, too- they earned/demanded familial respect. You just helped me understand a little bit better why. You sound just like one of them, a few generations younger of course. Best of luck and happiness to you Officer as you count down to your well-earned retirment. God bless you and your family! :)
I was there in the late '70's, early '80's Commander Tim Daly lost his 2 sons in a knifing while I was there. THe neighborhood changed, the place went from a retirement house to crazy in da hood....seemed like overnight.
Worked with some great guys back then.
Did my PPO months there in late 91. Had the best FTO there ever was: Randy Ugorek. Greg Young & Leroy (forget the last name. He worked 1515) treated this wet behind the ears recruit like an old friend. Saw Sgt Becker throw an inspector out the station, when trying to gig a copper for no hat. Priceless.
Heard Leroy Watkins died.
Speaking of old shitty stations, was in 012 the other day, the wrecking ball can't come soon enough to that stinky dump of a building!!!!!
Saw Sgt Becker throw an inspector out the station, when trying to gig a copper for no hat. Priceless
Now these pussie bosses crap their pants when a fuckhead inspector drives inthe district.
My Mom was a Sgt in 015 at the Operation Broken Star times. She loved the officers who worked there and it was her favorite place.
I grew up in the 015th. Police District. Austin. We use to go upstairs to the Youth Club. They had a full boxing ring up there.
The 015th. District had some real skeletons. Lots of hero's. Lot's of stories,that are best forgotten.
Let's raise our glasses in a toast, to a "Once Upon A Time" Memory.
OT: From a Trib article regarding a chase in 18 tonight;
“We were just trying to get the (Lexus) boxed in, hoping it wouldn’t go anywhere,” Bryant said. “We were trying to make as safe a stop as possible.”
This is why coppers should STFU and not talk to the press, now you just admitted to violating the pursuit general order by boxing in, in the press, and fronted off yourself, your Sgt. and WC.
---------------
And now YOU put it on a blog. Take your own advice and shut up.
I got dumped to 015 in 1973. Not a happy camper. Within a month I realized I was working with some of this cities greatest coppers. Great memories of the good old days.
off topic, but could anyone suggest a jeweler with the "good mold" for our chicago police shield rings? i heard in the past from some old timers, long since retired, that their was a good mold and some drama amongst jewelers for rights to it. or just somewhere you bought one and were happy with the quality. any info would help thanks. stay safe, stay classy brothers. On topic, old 010 is still standing, reopen old marquette reopen my mistakes!
Doporcyk Jewelers
3244 W. Montrose
They have molds for CPD and County...at least they did when I got mine. And you have to be buzzed in.
Things that make you go hmmm???
Why was 1134 assigned a cdtp report job at about 8 this morning at erps, for an evidence locker that had been broken into?
Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Wait until we get the LAZ bill for being inconvenient for stripping parking around the city for G8. The true bill is going to be astronomical! You thought 13 Mil was bad, just wait. What the 'Occupy Chicago' people should do is make it impossible for LAZ to operate in the city, as a sign of public outrage.
12/14/2011 02:42:00 AM
This is very true! One of the news stations has to do a report on this. LAZ has it written in their contract that whenever the city closes a street for anything, a movie, a fest, street cleaning, that the city then must reimburse LAZ for parking for the entire day for every single spot affected.
Add to the fact that all these spots downtown go for over $6 an hour, it add up quick. No even taking in G8-NATO how much has the city paid out in this many for downtown alone since the contract has started? Streets and spots are constantly closed downtown for a million different reasons.
You look at how much LAZ made in one year, close to $60 million. This contact runs for 99 years. At that rate and not even taking into consideration of rate increases LAZ will have made back their initial invest back in about 18 years. THAT LEAVES 82 YEARS OF PURE PROFIT!
12/14/2011 06:39:00 AM
This parking meter deal has become the biggest fucking a city could get from their corrupt mayor in the history of America. Daley really shoved it up the tax payers ass and it keeps getting worse. Rahm should be so angry with daley that he should never do him a favor or acknowledge him again. At least do it for the tax payers of chicago. The Feds need to look into this deal and find the hidden gem that went to daley.
Great time there, full of greater cops. try finding that now. memories....
Sgt Greg N said RIP 015 (Fort Forgotten)old my friend. Great place to work and everyone stuck together. One of the best memories is when an an inspector caught us drinking in the lot took all our ids went into Lt Doug Prines office and told him what are you going to do about this. Lt Prine grabbed the ids out of his hand and told where to you want them to drink at Madison N Menard get the fuck out of my office. Lt Prine came out gave us ids back had a couple of beers with us and went back into the station.
God Bless some of the old timers that worked with me who are no longer with us. PO Vinnie Rommano, PO Mike Keas,Sgt Tony Graffeo PO Jimmy McLean and many more.
PS SPIDER you still a mush LOL.
1984 an upset 1st Deputy Superintendent telling the roll call that we were jealous because we weren't hung like the others.
Randy Ugorek who is now retired was a great person and a class act. I miss seeing him.
What was the name of the bar a block or so east? worked in 015 in 1991-1992, ended up in that bar at 7 am after mids a few times. Liquor store on one side and a bar
like a cave on the other side, no windows and nice and dark!
True stories, I almost swear:
3 a.m an old turkey watch commander is on the pax talking to one of his buddies.
A case of beer chilling on the window ledge outside the window waiting for the boys to get off and go to the cave.
Suddenly, a hand reaches up and and starts stealing the beer. W/c starts screaming, their stealing our beer.1501 calls in a theft of aluminum objects in progress. Everyone knew what that meanf, cleared by arrest and interrogation.
A tact guy in the youth office looking up dudes cheels for a dime bag, current Lt. walks on, and says with a straight face "oh i can see you two want to be alone".
Jag off in lock up tries hanging himself on christmas night. He is promptly i bonded.
Becker announces at roll calll that you are not to call him unless you find a dead body or a bag of money. A bag of money is found, Butch is called, his response is to ask if you remember roll call. When responded to as yes, he said real politely, i'll be right there son.
5814 w roosevelt.
Lenny.
Wax.
Dinty getting a cr to protect you.
The time somone actually fell down the back stairs, and no one believed me.
Pac man letting a prisoner jump out a window, while still on probation.
Another prisoner jumping out the window as the troops were lined up for gas. He will never do that again.
THE CAVE.
Wow.
Rip all.
Ot
Love that Crook county "justice" system. He is at it again.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-panhandler-who-beat-woman-in-south-loop-arrested-again-20111214,0,6997391.story
He still comes out and walks Chicago Ave in the wee hours of the morning seeming to leave a visible trail of gold dust as he moves down the street. If you listen closely you can hear the rustle of an angels wings, as he glides thru the ground hugging fog that conceals his steps. St. Jude? No! It is the ghost of Commander Sanford Neal coming to claim the Lost Souls of Austin.
OT:
Looks like the David Koschman murder is going to get another look, but this time it will be looked at by a special prosecutor. I hope our people did it all by the book because it seems somebody is going to have a problem, a big problem.
Only passed through those doors once in my entire career. That said, I felt like I was in the old 009th district, and was treated like a true gentleman by all. Thank You. Lastly, RIP Daniel Doffyn
Ot- who is the p.o. Making comments to the media about his car chase?Are you soft or what? Another know it all from 018!
Anybody from 015 remember the Catholic nun(s) that had an office just across and right of the district desk. She would do her social work with the neighborhood youts during the second watch at least a few years into the 1990s.
Amazingly the demolition crew found 3 prisoners still waiting to be processed in the lock-up. Oddly, though, they weren't complaining
OT:
Looks like the David Koschman murder is going to get another look, but this time it will be looked at by a special prosecutor. I hope our people did it all by the book because it seems somebody is going to have a problem, a big problem.
Thats probably the plan. The whole case is botched cause of the previous fifth floor resident.. They will look at again blaming it on the investigators botching evidence I bet.
Anonymous said...
What was the name of the bar a block or so east? worked in 015 in 1991-1992, ended up in that bar at 7 am after mids a few times. Liquor store on one side and a bar
like a cave on the other side, no windows and nice and dark!
12/14/2011 10:47:00 PM
Vito"s AKA "The Cave"
It was fun said...
Goodnight Pat Arens wherever you are Rodan!
12/14/2011 05:39:00 PM
Pat the Cat.
Dinty, Bing-Bing-Bing, Moore.
We had the worst Captain, but the best watch in spite of him.
I very clearly remember the crossing guard that worked on Madison Street dduring the late
60's. wink, wink.
Anybody else?
Heard Leroy Watkins died.
Sadly true. He was quite the character.
Boss Martins
Monkey Club
Whoopies
Birdseed
Moss
Connor
Bazarek
Dinty Moore
Marty`s on Division
1984 an upset 1st Deputy Superintendent telling the roll call that we were jealous because we weren't hung like the others.
12/14/2011 10:26:00 PM
And, thereafter, he was known as Jemilo Jones! What an absolute dope!
When the real VITO, who was Carmie's brother, and Fish's uncle died, me and my partner, went to the wake.
Felt we owed it to him after saying his name so often over the years.
Somewhere in that rubble there must be a few bottles Sgt. Warner stashed in the bank alarm box.
Larry Byers could have blown the place up for a fraction of what the demolition crew charged.
Anonymous said...
Anybody from 015 remember the Catholic nun(s) that had an office just across and right of the district desk. She would do her social work with the neighborhood youts during the second watch at least a few years into the 1990s.
12/15/2011 01:53:00 AM
Sister Therese McGrath. Died of cancer a few years ago.
off topic, but could anyone suggest a jeweler with the "good mold" for our chicago police shield rings? i heard in the past from some old timers, long since retired, that their was a good mold and some drama amongst jewelers for rights to it. or just somewhere you bought one and were happy with the quality. any info would help thanks. stay safe, stay classy brothers. On topic, old 010 is still standing, reopen old marquette reopen my mistakes!
Doporcyk Jewelers
3244 W. Montrose
They have molds for CPD and County...at least they did when I got mine. And you have to be buzzed in.
12/14/2011 09:12:00 PM
-
Watch yourself on that one. Doporcyk closed a few years ago when the grand old guy died and the son in law wanted to go into another line of work.
If it's still a jewelry shop at all, it isn't the Doporcyk's of old.
Now that I'm retired I'll admit I did miss the place, but people are right it was a dump.Remember using pink paper (copy paper was like Gold) for making copies of complaints...was asked in court why i had a retirement party flyer for P.O. So and So in the arrest package..I quickly flipped it over to show it was the complaint..but I don't mind telling you it was all about the people you worked with and the bosses you worked for.I was fortunate and didn't realize that 015 was the exception rather than than the rule where bosses are concerned.If a new Sgt started messing with the troops, he/she was told by the W/C to step in the W/C's office and was politely told if there was any fuckin to do with the troops, he, not the Sgt. would do it.Never had to worry about back-up either.When you called or even when you didn't help was always there.. and you were glad of it. Sorry I left.
God bless you guys that are still there.
Warren "Butch" BECKER was one of a kind; a very special fellow. God bless him.
Boss Martins
Monkey Club
Whoopies
Birdseed
Moss
Connor
Bazarek
Dinty Moore
Marty`s on Division
Paul Lynn (?)
Donald Campbell (aka Bishop Magic Juan)
Rick Miller
Isiah Thomas
Marquis Club
The Snuggery
Willie Lloyd
Sam DeStefano
Hoagies
Oh if that District could talk and that staircase!!!!!! RIP 015............... I will miss you dearly...... Great arrests, great bosses, and great help from the 015 guys and gals.......... It will be missed.... Nostalgia happening infront of our eyes now as they tear down these legends of CPD as they did to the 023.......... All will be missed 015 especially.
Bob Warner is in today`s Tribune Obits. RIP.
Paul Lynn and his BAR aka a Browning Automatic Rifle....
They say back in the day he gave the coppers a good fight, by the time I dealt with him, he was older and slower.
I wish I could remember the arresting officer who chased him down. He got 8 years with no chance of parole. Something tells me he is probably back in jail for other charges by now HA!
Stay safe out there officers.
Thankful Citizen
12/14/2011 03:20:00 AM
Wouldnt that story been better if..
" He had the knife to my throat,demanding my money. I reached back for my "wallet" took it out and emptied the magazine into him. The police arrived on scene checked my CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT,took down my information,offered to call medical assistance for me,and after not needing the ambulance,gave me a ride home"
Grateful Citizen.
Funny but in THE REST OF THE COUNTRY this adjusted "story" is REALITY.
CONCEALED CARRY ILLINOIS!
NOW!
Anonymous said...
Hey someone grab some of those bricks for keep sakes.
12/14/2011 09:45:00 AM
If you can get one of those bricks,I will be happy to put it on a rich Coco Bolo board under which is a black nightstick with the open/close dates of the Old 015. I can change that to your service dates if you like as well. Nominal fee unless you want to trade stories then it will be free for you.
spooge60638@yahoo.com
Then you had a the South End Ghetto Cops, who may have gear bags with carbines and axe handles and always carried something interesting like a Colt 1911, Browning 1935 or Big Ass Revolver.
Were you peekin in my war bag?
So true. Man that is SO true!
Rest in Peace Fort Forgotton
Anonymous said...
He still comes out and walks Chicago Ave in the wee hours of the morning seeming to leave a visible trail of gold dust as he moves down the street. If you listen closely you can hear the rustle of an angels wings, as he glides thru the ground hugging fog that conceals his steps. St. Jude? No! It is the ghost of Commander Sanford Neal coming to claim the Lost Souls of Austin.
12/14/2011 11:35:00 PM
AMEN! Yes sir dammit Amen!
This needs to be turned into a book or a movie. Seriously.
So much good stuff here.
I cant even compare the old 008 to this. Was honored to be a short time member of the "Fort Forgotten" only for a little while. Those that made it a regular routine are the true definition of a Workin Chicago Copper.
We do need to immortalize this on film. It would be a chicago classic.
We never said "Lost In Space".... It was "Austin Space"
The Island. The Boulevard. Joke Park and their fleet of ORANGE squads. TOO damn funny.
>>>Anonymous said...
Anonymous said...
Hey someone grab some of those bricks for keep sakes.
12/14/2011 09:45:00 AM
If you can get one of those bricks,I will be happy to put it on a rich Coco Bolo board under which is a black nightstick with the open/close dates of the Old 015. I can change that to your service dates if you like as well. Nominal fee unless you want to trade stories then it will be free for you.
spooge60638@yahoo.com
12/17/2011 02:16:00 AM<<<
I got a box full, and will arrange to meet at and appropriate place for an AUSTIN OLD TIMERS REUNION.
You will have to call to findout where so we can avoid the tolls.
Stay safe and have a great holiday.
"This parking meter deal has become the biggest fucking a city could get from their corrupt mayor in the history of America. Daley really shoved it up the tax payers ass and it keeps getting worse. Rahm should be so angry with daley that he should never do him a favor or acknowledge him again. At least do it for the tax payers of chicago. The Feds need to look into this deal and find the hidden gem that went to daley.
12/14/2011 09:41:00 PM"
Rahm should be angry!?!?
We and the whole city should be angry!
Daley should be getting fitted for an orange jumpsuit not for another six-figure board position on a corporation.
As long as there are Democrats to protect him we may never see any justice. His legend and his lies may outlive and we will be left with the corrupted monuments and the bills.
Capts. Foley,Russell, and Casey..POS Bill Isadell, and Ronnie LeJun....Art Hanson, what a place to be back then. I will remember all of you guys....
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