* NOTHING Was Said About Shooting on Estes & Ashland

A few additional notes from this CAPS meeting:

1. There were no less than 6 beat cops, a sergeant, and 4-6 detectives (or suits) at the meeting. I figure the police had residents outnumbered 2 to 1.

2. Stats were run off but NOTHING was said about shooting on Estes and Ashland until a resident (that would be me) asked. Interesting.

Police fully expected it to be an issue and came out in force but waited until the peanut gallery said anything.

3. When one resident observed that she'd heard more gunfire in last 6 months than in last 6 years, one obnoxious detective glared at her and replied "are you sure you aren't hearing fire crackers and cars backfiring." To Mr. Obnoxious Detective I say this: don't make dumbass assumptions about residents. I knew how to load, shoot, fire, and clean a gun by the time I was 12. I am not afraid of guns. I am concerned about idiots with guns who shoot them off in broad daylight or shoot themselves. Oh, and I carry a FOID in my wallet. Jerk.

4. Mr. Dimple Beat Cop is a doll in more ways than one and he should get to run the meeting without the suits. He clearly cares about residents and is happy to communicate what he knows to them. He's also respectful of all residents. We're fortunate to have him. He'll be added to my holiday cookie list. Lumps of coal to the condescending suits.

Finally, why isn't our Alderman at these meetings, keeping the police department respectful and addressing neighborhood concerns? CAPS should not be the burden of just the police but all ward leadership. There are issues here, such as the idiots determined to kill each other, over which the police have little power. The Alderman's office should be involved, to bring in appropriate organizations, to help these young people address their problems BEFORE one of them is killed and the other in jail. Why isn't the Alderman HELPING the police? Don't bother answering that question. it was rhetorical.

Pamela