Some Good Publicity
- It’s not something people regularly see, which perhaps explains why a photo of three Chicago Police officers playing football with a few kids on a vacant lot in North Lawndale has gone viral on social media.
Four young Chicago cops were on foot patrol April 14 in the North Lawndale neighborhood when they came across a group of kids playing in a grassy lot at Roosevelt and Albany.
“Some kids were tossing a ball around, and they asked if we wanted to play with them,” said officer Pete Kalenik, 30. “So we just got out there and tossed the ball around.”
A couple of photos at the link - we're assuming these are the Foot Patrols in North Lawndale. Even our cynical old asses remember what it was like when we first arrived on the job. It gets harder and harder to hold on to that idealism and realistically, we look forward to the sunset of the career in the not too distant future. But it's good to see this, even now.
Labels: good news
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
44 Comments:
and then you see the asshole at 35th and Michigan say good public relations officers, but we have to write you up because you forgot the Contact Card.
Sounds like putting out a salt lick for an easy kill later.
One PPO in short sleeves. Another PPO with rolled up sleeves. An inspector's wet dream.
My cynical old ass knows this incident was exploited to justify the position recently given to a retired exempt rank's daughter with News Affairs. I'm not saying the whole tossing of the football was fabricated, but everyone at News Affairs seemed waaaayyyyy too interested to get this 'story' out. She and the news crew were in the district two consecutive days planning for it. And, this bubbly young lass just had to let everyone know her Daddy was a 'retired gold star'. Funny thing is, she appears as a City of Chicago civilian employee hired in October 2014, yet no where on city websites can I find her salary. Things that make you go "hmmm".
Sounds like the smartest of the "four young Chicago cops [were] on foot patrol" recognized the importance of not talking to the media or agreeing to take part in this Dog & Pony Show by posing for pictures or giving a statement. If I'd have to work with any of the four, it'd be the one smart enough to not have any part in perpetuating the charade of community relations in the 011th District, as anyone with half a brain knows that 99.9% of the population here - KIDS INCLUDED - hate the police.
Signed,
99 on days and know a rat when I smell one
I just read the article in the sun times, So very proud of you rookies on the street, you made this old retired guy quite proud.
I worked the West-side for over 30 years and had a great time. The vast ,ajority of the people there are good folks trying to ruvive . I ate more bar b que during the summer out in the hood I could never count the times.
The good people feed us like kings and the cognac was not bad too, LoL.
I still miss the people of the westside and when they had a problem, we took care of business.
God bless you copper' on the erstside, you choked me up seeing the old spirit to help the good people still alive. Those kids lives had been chanhed with kindness.
I was a hard core dick on the W/S, so forget saying shit that I was soft. We got respect and the folks knew we always did the right thing on the streets. We used are skills and that kept us safe and the assholes out there hit the shitter. We would never throw a b.s case on a kid or adult that you fuck up their chances to get a good job. Not eveyone has to go to jail !!
Keep this stuff going, you southside foot people get out there and reach out to the kids. Think positve and you will all live long after retirement.
There's still some idealism left in copland. I'm not a cop. Just a normal guy, hell, I was even wild as a pole cat when I was younger and got arrested a couple times but grew up and out of it, kids, wife, mortgage on a house next to one of you CPD guys. He's become a real good friend of mine.
He sees stuff every day that I can't imagine. I hear of a rape on the red line and its an abstract notch on some statistical continuum that doesn't concern me. To him, it's a girl named Katie who he had to sit with as she cried. Sometimes he tells stories, other times, he keeps it to himself. I never press but I can tell he carries a weight.
He's more cynical than most, more jaded than most. He's been doing it for a long time. Its impossible to understand what its like, doing that job every single day, seeing that kind of shit every single day, knowing that it doesn't really ever end. Still, he's right there for any kid in the neighborhood for anything. Last year, as I got off the expressway and headed home, I saw him on the side of ramp helping someone who was broken down, in plainclothes and his personal car. I asked him later who it was. Turns out it was just some stranger.
He's been shot at and spit on, one time he took an eye injury from a mentally ill woman he was holding back from suicide, instead of letting her go. He didn't tell me that. His wife did. Here lately, he gets constantly shit on by every agenda driven asshole, but when my kid had a soccer banquet and, perhaps a bit naively, invited the whole neighborhood, only one person showed up. Him. He had a band-aid on his cheek and he was tired. I didn't ask, but there he was. At a fucking neighbor kids soccer banquet, because the neighbor kid asked.
If you're reading, you know who are and you know who I am and I've thanked you before but I'd like to thank you again. For all the shit you've seen, the likes of which I cannot comprehend, you've retained the inner core of a genuinely stellar human being. Being the kind of man you are, in a job like that, I cannot imagine the good works you've done in this life that have probably gone unacknowledged. Just know that 'we know'. All of us.
As best I can guess, all cops eventually get a bit jaded, but good guys remain good guys until the day they die.
The police officers should have given the kids a little history lesson as to why there are so many vacant lots on Roosevelt Road.
Its because of the MLK riots of 1968, which they burned down their own neighborhoods. Nothing has been rebuilt since.
Surprised they don't get in trouble for goofing off on duty.
Well done Paul
Cool.
Did it too a few times back in the day. - (soccer, baseball , football basketball..)
I'm getting old though because it annoys me that
everything; EVERYTHING is social media this or that. If its not recorded and posted it didn't happen. anyway good job officers.
That's nice, real nice. Is it ok to hope that maybe one of those kids will take something positive from this?
I really did love being a cop.
In 025, we do snowball fights. Sometimes it's a good war and a good time, sometimes....it's a CR.
Some people take the N out of FUN.
Real nice and cute, but let me rain on your parade. Please do not forget the officers that were killed doing the same thing at Cabrini. It was called walk and talk. The Officers attempted to organize a bunch of kids in a baseball game and they were shot and kill by a sniper. All I'm saying is don't let someone set-up on you ass when trying to be cute with the children's. Please lets learn from past and be safe.
It must be said -- I'm instinctively looking out the corner of my eye for babymama to come running out and collar the kid.
"Don't you be messin' with no po-lice."
It'd be the only time you'd see her all day, too.
Seriously, it is a pleasant story from Sun-Times. Nice to see a scene without yellow tape and numbered markers all over the place. There is a lot of good in this world yet, just hard to see it sometimes.
I see PO KALENIK is wearing jump wings on his radio strap. All the way, sir.
I was never idealistic about this job. But then again I began my career with cpd when I was 38 years old. I honestly think the starting age for an officer should be 30. Get some life experience under your belt. This job is too important.
Such a nice picture! These young boys who are playing should grow up with a good perception of the police after this. Great job!
Anonymous Anonymous said...
The police officers should have given the kids a little history lesson as to why there are so many vacant lots on Roosevelt Road.
Its because of the MLK riots of 1968, which they burned down their own neighborhoods. Nothing has been rebuilt since.
4/27/2015 04:40:00 AM
No, Sunshine and Happiness, they should have done EXACTLY what they did.
In addressing the topic of this post, NICE WORK by all involved.
It's great to see the media publish some 'positive' CPD related incidents occasionally.
Thanks again.
4/27/2015 12:54:00 AM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
One PPO in short sleeves. Another PPO with rolled up sleeves. An inspector's wet dream.
4/27/2015 12:56:00 AM
Good story finally positive press and you notice that asshat!
There's still some idealism left in copland. I'm not a cop. Just a normal guy, hell, I was even wild as a pole cat when I was younger and got arrested a couple times but grew up and out of it, kids, wife, mortgage on a house next to one of you CPD guys. He's become a real good friend of mine.
He sees stuff every day that I can't imagine. I hear of a rape on the red line and its an abstract notch on some statistical continuum that doesn't concern me. To him, it's a girl named Katie who he had to sit with as she cried. Sometimes he tells stories, other times, he keeps it to himself. I never press but I can tell he carries a weight.
He's more cynical than most, more jaded than most. He's been doing it for a long time. Its impossible to understand what its like, doing that job every single day, seeing that kind of shit every single day, knowing that it doesn't really ever end. Still, he's right there for any kid in the neighborhood for anything. Last year, as I got off the expressway and headed home, I saw him on the side of ramp helping someone who was broken down, in plainclothes and his personal car. I asked him later who it was. Turns out it was just some stranger.
He's been shot at and spit on, one time he took an eye injury from a mentally ill woman he was holding back from suicide, instead of letting her go. He didn't tell me that. His wife did. Here lately, he gets constantly shit on by every agenda driven asshole, but when my kid had a soccer banquet and, perhaps a bit naively, invited the whole neighborhood, only one person showed up. Him. He had a band-aid on his cheek and he was tired. I didn't ask, but there he was. At a fucking neighbor kids soccer banquet, because the neighbor kid asked.
If you're reading, you know who are and you know who I am and I've thanked you before but I'd like to thank you again. For all the shit you've seen, the likes of which I cannot comprehend, you've retained the inner core of a genuinely stellar human being. Being the kind of man you are, in a job like that, I cannot imagine the good works you've done in this life that have probably gone unacknowledged. Just know that 'we know'. All of us.
As best I can guess, all cops eventually get a bit jaded, but good guys remain good guys until the day they die.
4/27/2015 02:58:00 AM
Thanks for posting this. Your neighbor sounds like a great guy.
The truth is, this could be one of hundreds of cops who go out of their way for their fellow man on a daily basis. It's too bad the average citizen doesn't get a chance to see that.
To the new Officers on this job. Go out there and police your Communities with Respect; Respect for Citizens and Personal Respect for Your Office.
Be polite, Be professional, give respect until you don't get it in return, and then do your job with directness and discipline.
Know that although improper actions on your part may not directly impact you, they could have catastrophic results upon another officer, or upon our profession as a whole.
Develop your own opinions on this job; learn from good Officers, try to avoid everyone else. Don't miss an opportunity to make a difference. And never forget why you became the Police in the first place.
Regardless of the challenges and bad times that this job can bring (CR's, Law Suits, Deaths of Friends; both "In the Line" and at their own hand) the good times are what you remember most.
Deep down inside every Police Officer who has done this job for awhile knows that being The Police is just about the best job in the World!
God Bless every Man or Woman who chooses this life.
A Police Officer (CPD Class 91-8)
The department should start a "Kops for Kids" program. Where Police officers take grade school kids from single parent or no parent homes and take them under our wing to nurture them. You know call them and talk to them once a week to make sure they are focused and on the right track. Maybe take them to the park or for ice cream. Give the kids hope for a successful future and be a good role model for them. We should start this while they are young, maybe 1st or 2nd grade. I would like to think that most of us take this job because we want to make a positive difference in the world. Sure the paycheck is important but the job is also rewarding. 35th street let's change Chicago!
That small boat in the background of the video has been on that lot since I was a rookie in 010 dist....I'm now retired and the boat is still there.....with Gilligan,...the Skipper too.... the millionaire and his wife, the movie star,...professor and Maryanne all here on the west side......damn,,....I MISS THAT PLACE...
Anonymous Anonymous said...
One PPO in short sleeves. Another PPO with rolled up sleeves. An inspector's wet dream.
Really? Maybe the guy with long sleeves didn't want his shirt to rip, get dirty, or he was getting hot. It might have been easier to throw. The guy with the short sleeve shirt might have had a sweater or jacket on, or also was hot. Find the good in the picture. They tossed a football around with a couple of kids in a crap neighborhood. The kids had fun, the coppers had fun, it reflects well on the police....get over it already.
All cops are not corrupt and racist, but it gets hard to be nice when so many of the residents are corrupt, violent and stupid. This includes, politicians, nuisance businesses, corrupt churches - yes, churches where wives have fistfights with the pastor's mistress, ugly women beat up the pretty women, etc.
Good job guys, those kids will never forget playing football with the police.
Remember the scene from Hill St. Blues. Where the bangers shoot the basketball.
Nice photo and nice story.
Over the years of my career there were a lot of Kodak moments like that were never noticed.
But what may be sad is what could be the follow up. Some gangbangers or even the kids families may beat up n them for having positive contact with the police.
One memory that haunts me to this day is a little kid on the street with a sunny smile waving saying, "Hi Police!". Then momma or who knows what picks up a stick an starts to hit the kid. J
I hope this is a good place to say thank you to the cops who dealt with the naked guy in Douglas Park today. I don't envy you all. Glad you got him under control without any bloodshed.
I was also glad to see all the people in the neighborhood who were watching, had called cops and helped them find the guy. We may not have a lot in our neighborhood, but we're a good community. I'm proud.
(OT) old Fred flintstone Harley schinker is he double dipping from our pension fund? If so how many gold stars are doing this?
http://www.bettergov.org/pension/default.aspx?PensionCode=201&F_LastName='Schinker'&F_PensionName='Chicago%20Police'
I drive a Car at work with writing on the side that says Serve and Protect,Its up to you how you do that.
The department should start a "Kops for Kids" program. Where Police officers take grade school kids from single parent or no parent homes and take them under our wing to nurture them. You know call them and talk to them once a week to make sure they are focused and on the right track. Maybe take them to the park or for ice cream. Give the kids hope for a successful future and be a good role model for them. We should start this while they are young, maybe 1st or 2nd grade. I would like to think that most of us take this job because we want to make a positive difference in the world. Sure the paycheck is important but the job is also rewarding. 35th street let's change Chicago!
Yeah, that's called parenting, how about the folks that gave birth to these children get on board and start to take care of their own. It doesn't cost anything to spend quality time with your kids. Let's not forget, we are the Police and should set a good example and offer kindness to folks that we encounter, but we can't be expected to raise these kids as our own!
One memory that haunts me to this day is a little kid on the street with a sunny smile waving saying, "Hi Police!". Then momma or who knows what picks up a stick an starts to hit the kid. J
4/27/2015 07:30:00 PM
One memory that haunts me to this day was when one of several teenage pieces of shit took the time out of his morning walk to grab a kitten and throw into a busy street.
Good thing they didn't have cell phone cameras then.
Anonymous said:
"There's still some idealism left in copland. I'm not a cop...."
What a beautiful post. Thanks for writing it. And thank you to all the men and women who protect and serve Chicago. Finally - some POSITIVE PRESS ! Let's enjoy it and stop nitpicking over shirtsleeves !
Not a LEO
I'll bet they contact carded all those kids under suspicion that they may have stolen the football or were trespassing on the lot.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
One PPO in short sleeves. Another PPO with rolled up sleeves. An inspector's wet dream.
Really? Maybe the guy with long sleeves didn't want his shirt to rip, get dirty, or he was getting hot. It might have been easier to throw. The guy with the short sleeve shirt might have had a sweater or jacket on, or also was hot. Find the good in the picture. They tossed a football around with a couple of kids in a crap neighborhood. The kids had fun, the coppers had fun, it reflects well on the police....get over it already.
My guess is the guy that wrote about the length of the PPO's sleeves doesn't find anything good in anything
I'm not a cop, and i know cops are good people.
I don't need this video to know that, but it's still very cool that it is out there for people who don't think the way i do.
keep up the great work
My cynical old ass knows this incident was exploited to justify the position recently given to a retired exempt rank's daughter with News Affairs. I'm not saying the whole tossing of the football was fabricated, but everyone at News Affairs seemed waaaayyyyy too interested to get this 'story' out. She and the news crew were in the district two consecutive days planning for it. And, this bubbly young lass just had to let everyone know her Daddy was a 'retired gold star'. Funny thing is, she appears as a City of Chicago civilian employee hired in October 2014, yet no where on city websites can I find her salary. Things that make you go "hmmm".
Sounds like the smartest of the "four young Chicago cops [were] on foot patrol" recognized the importance of not talking to the media or agreeing to take part in this Dog & Pony Show by posing for pictures or giving a statement. If I'd have to work with any of the four, it'd be the one smart enough to not have any part in perpetuating the charade of community relations in the 011th District, as anyone with half a brain knows that 99.9% of the population here - KIDS INCLUDED - hate the police.
Signed,
99 on days and know a rat when I smell one
4/27/2015 01:09:00 AM
Of course you're 99. You're a fucking moron. Our cops do something good and you "smell a rat." The real police would never work with a goof like you. Have a great life.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
One PPO in short sleeves. Another PPO with rolled up sleeves. An inspector's wet dream.
4/27/2015 12:56:00 AM
Good story finally positive press and you notice that asshat!
4/27/2015 11:30:00 AM
I can agree with both sides of this post. Leroy Martin was known to tag officers who appeared on the news without their hats on.......
"The police officers should have given the kids a history lesson..." The vacant lots in Lawndale have nothing to do with the riots. These lots are vacant because people are moving away from the violent, sick hobo/hobro, gd's, corrupt politicians, nuisance businesses who all join in with the gangs to keep their positions, probably, and steal and get away with it. Businesses and people had started to move because of crime before the riots, the riots were just an excuse for the same thugs who had been running everyone away to openly steal and then scream, I been wronged, so I'm stealing. I hope you never play with the kids, if you plan on spreading falsehoods.
Some media bitch named Baldwin (any relation to Alec?) might just claim that "the cops are stealing the kid's football" if she get's a hold of this!
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