In the past 6 months, have you participated in any community anti-crime activities, such as marches, patrols, court advocacy, or other events?
I put this up last week. Here are the Chicago Internet Project, July stats. What it tells us is our CAPS program is in the CRAPPER. Even the Sargeant mentioned this poor attendance Internet Project Chart at the meeting. Only 2 in 10 have joined a CAPS sponsored event in the past six months.
Why don't people go to our CAPS meetings? Not enough time? CAPS doesn't do any good? It's the police who handle the crime, I'm just a taxpaying citizen. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Most everyone knows what CAPS is.
But, the same 20 or so people show up every month to our CAPS meetings. Oh sure, once and a while a new couple will attend. When issues get heavy, our Alderman/Attorney Moore will show.
It always goes like this.
We spend 10 minutes listening to Kevin O'Neil explain CAPS 101. What it is, blah blah, blah.
Then, we promptly will get bombarded with mindless and meaningless stats on index and non index crime figures. This tool comes in handy for the Alderman during election time. Watch or listen for the " Crime's Down..." (fill in the percentage) speech or mail brochure.
Then we will get reamed out for either calling 911 or not calling 911.
We will be told to call 311 for this... or the Alderman for that.
What we always get is the run around. We get shrugged off. We always hear the... " it's not our fault, we can't do anything unless you help us" routine.
If you go to Beat 2431, we also have to deal with information from DevCorp North on a private security force who keeps logs of criminal activities but doesn't turn them into the police department. They just keep a log. Side note, it's not even the security company they introduced to the community months ago, it's a whole new company called North Central Security, not TSG.
Then, as for me, I live on a street where I have to go to two CAPS meetings. So, It's the same way in Beat 2423, minus the Alderman and DevCorp North at this meeting.
Then, there's Officer Jacob, the community relations officer, or Officer Coen, his sidekick. You will find these two, always charming, super well dressed, non-uniform officers there ready to tell you to ..."Shut up"... or "Ask you to leave".
Or.... just maybe, they will stand up for the slumlord and protect "his rights".
See, they don't come to these meeting for free like you and I do. It's their job to come to these meeting a chew residents out, act busy and take a note or two. They get paid to show up and treat us this way. We just volunteer.
Again, you live in Rogers Park, Beat 2431 or Beat 2423 and you don't go to CAPS meetings. Why? I've been asked not to attend. Who wants to be my replacement?
2 comments:
Craig, you should know by now that if you start messing with the folks behind the scenes they'll take you to a little room and scold you. If you don't obey their orders, they go 'big time' and scold publically. You know you're supposed to 'know your place'. Blackball 101
We need taxpayers revolt 201
I went to my first CAPS meeting on Monday. I read this blog on a regular basis. I participate in the Chicago Internet Surveys.
Why did I go to my first meeting just this week? Because I wanted to compare Craig's notes, the alderman's viewpoint, and see who else attended. I gathered my data and formed my opinions. That said, these are my standings.
The People - 1
Joe - 0
I don't like walking past 1340 W. Morse on my way to the L. I don't like seeing people wash their hair in the drinking fountain on Morse near the lake either. I can't stand the people who ride their bikes on the sidewalks. The people building their fabric homes on the lakefront piss me off. The lack of acceptable commerce absolutely astounds me. The litter drives me crazy, but the trash crew standing around on street corners bsing with each other makes me absolutely mental!
I'm looking for overall progress. I'm looking for honesty. I'm looking for someone who will treat me like I matter.
I am an honest, self-supporting individual with a strong work ethic who admires integrity. I landscape my lawn (like the officer suggested). I take walks, go for long runs, and ride my bike ON THE STREET very frequently. I pay my bills on time and pay my taxes. It is the regular, hard working residents of Rogers Park that become frustrated when our community leaders continue to neglect our efforts to build a better community.
I want to see Joe Moore huffing and puffing and busting his butt to keep his job. He should be kicking ass and taking names. He needs to show the people that he cares. Joe seems to be frustrated by the residents and our desire for improvement instead of being on our side. I sensed that he felt anxious and stressed - and just disgusted in general - on Monday night. Why?
Craig plays offense. The alderman plays defense. Craig plays offense because the alderman has no offense! Craig knows he can score because the alderman's defense has BIG holes. Craig is aggressive. When people play aggressive offense, the defense get frustrated and gets scrappy. Playing scrappy shows fatigue and signs that they are being worn down.
Rogers Park is a special place to live. It has a lot of character. I truly love it. I am staying. The creeps and crooks are not getting rid of me. While I am here it will become a cleaner, safer community with a high regard for hard working, honest people.
If the alderman doesn't start playing offense, it is time for a new starting team.
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