CHICAGO NEWS BENCH: Jody Weis

Showing posts with label Jody Weis. Show all posts

CPD Supt. Jody Weis, Fun With Numbers

Of course, you're just as dead no matter where you're killed. Chicago's Top Cop, however, thinks there's a difference. Why else would he create statistical categories for "indoor" and "outdoor" killings? The answer, of course, is politics. "This reeks of desperate statistical manipulation," writes Second City Cop. Peter Bella pokes Jody Weis, the buffoon also known as the Chicago Police Superintendent. Despised and resented by many CPD officers, Weis is an overpaid tool of the local Democrat Machine. He's Mayor Daley's lap dog in a crisply press police uniform, but Daley is so pleased with his performance that he is "suggesting" that Weis take a pay cut from his current $310,000 annual salary. Bella is a former police officer himself, so he's no stranger to this topic. He writes: Weis, in his professional capacity as court jester, has determined there will now be two types of murder in Chicago. Insdide murder and outside murder- innies and outies. He must be reading those famed police publications, Sports Illustrated and the Victoria’s Secret catalog. Fun with numbers, right? These classifications will give the perception the murder rate is not as high as it actually is. The city is not as dangerous as it really is. Voila! Eureka! Brilliant! The people will sleep much better now, knowing there is no longer need for rough men to protect them. If you have the sad misfortune to be killed indoors, you can rest assured- and in peace- you are not the victim of a vicious human being. Nope. You were the victim of a statistical anomaly. Read Bella's full post at ChicagoNow... Makes you feel better doesn't it?

Pat Dollard's Headline of the Week

Pat Dollard gets my vote for Headline of The Week, and it's only Tuesday.

"Toughest Gun Control Laws In The Nation Lead To Historic Violent Crime Wave" is a post that hits the nail square on its head. Even the subhead is great: "Obama’s Chicago So Out Of Control Lawmakers Demand National Guard To Lock It Down."

Dollard notes that "Two Illinois lawmakers say violence has become so rampant in Chicago that the National Guard must be called in to help. Chicago Democratic Reps. John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford made a public plea to Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday to deploy troops. The request comes amid a recent surge in violent crime, including a night last week that saw seven people killed and 18 wounded, mostly by gunfire."

The spineless Illinois Governor, Pat Quinn, has already said that he will not send in the troops without a request from Mayor Daley. He knows full well, of course, that Daley will make no such request. Apparently, the overrated, overhyped "positive loitering" efforts in Chicago have not been as effective as hoped for.

Chicago is 2,000 police officers short of what it's budgeted for, and what it needs. You gotta wonder just how much Daley, who is accompanied by armed guards everywhere he goes, really hates and despises the people he lords over.

Daley and Weis keep saying that the National Guard is not needed, and that they have better ideas. The extent of Daley's "better ideas" is more gun control. You know, to make it even tougher for the good guys to protect themselves. Weis hasn't had an original idea since... well, you tell me when that was.

While Daley and Obama are busy enabling illegal immigration with their rhetoric and advocacy of santuary cities, the people here in Chicago are being slaughtered in the streets. Dollard, a man who has seen combat first hand, knows that it's often more deadly in Chicago than in most parts of Iraq or Afghanistan. In a moving April 14 editorial in the Austin Weekly News, we are told that "To date, more young people have been shot in Chicago than Soldiers in Iraq-159 students have been shot this school year alone."

If Daley and Weis really cared, they'd put aside political considerations and egos and beg Gov. Quinn to send in the Guard. Daley hasn't got the intelligence or the balls to understand that his unconstitutional gun laws have no effect whatsoever on the bad guys getting and using firearms. Meanwhile, the law abiders are left defenseless and at the mercy of God and a call to 911.

Please remember: Guns don't kill people, more than 60 years of bad social policy kills people.

RELATED:
National Guard Urged to Quell Chicago Violence CBS News
Chicago Lawmakers: Call In the National Guard Fox News
Mr. Mayor, you must do something to save our kids‎ Austin Weekly News

Loudmouth Jody Weis Get Shot Down

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said he wanted to charge those responsible for this burglary with murder in the death of Sgt. Alan Haymaker. The third-generation police sergeant died early Monday morning when his car left Lake Shore Drive near Irving Park, as he sped southbound en route to a burglary in Wrigleyville. Weis got shot down big time today by Cook County States Attorney Anita Alvarez's Office.

Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Weis said early on that "Under Illinois statutes it appears they could be charged with murder... that is something I think that we'll be looking at with the state's attorney's office," as the Chicago Tribune reported, "But I think it's something that we certainly will consider."

"It appears?" What did the former FBI agent base that on? A guess? Wishful thinking? A poorly qualified legal "expert" on his CPD staff?

A statement today from Alvarez's office said that "There is not a sufficient legal basis to charge the offender who has been arrested in this case with felony murder charges in connection with the tragic death of Sgt. Haymaker. While we certainly understand the pain and anguish felt by the Chicago Police Department in the wake of this tragedy, the states attorney's office does not have the evidence that would be required to meet the burden of proof to sustain a felony murder charge."

Weis needs to think before he speaks. Murder charges aside - in fact, the entire burglary aside - Weis needs to re-examine the Lake Shore Drive ice issue, too. He contradicted CPD's Assistant Supt. James Jackson, who said on Monday that "icy road conditions were a factor" in Haymaker's death. (Source: Sun-Times)

Meanwhile, the long-burning issue of lousy squad car maintenance has been rekindled anew by the death of Sgt. Haymaker. There are allegations that the tires on his car were treadworn. We've yet to hear a public statement from Weis about that. Dangerous, patchwork squad cars pose a deadly threat to officers and to the public at large all year round, regardless of the weather or road conditions.

And while we're feeling bitchy, when the hell are Chicago's police officers going to get a contract?

Also See:

Is Supt. Weis Betraying Cops for Political Reasons?

Stuporindendent Jody Weis

Incredible. Reports of icy conditions on Lake Shore Drive at the time of Sgt. Alan Haymaker's death early Monday morning are now being denied by Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis. This stinks of political coverup.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Weis's remarks today: Speaking after Sgt. Alan Haymaker was honored with a moment's silence at police headquarters, Weis said officers who were on the scene of Haymaker's death within minutes Monday morning found only "slush and standing water" on the road.

Okay, Then What About This...? Weis' comments appear to contradict those of Assistant Supt. James Jackson, who said Monday that "icy road conditions were a factor" in Haymaker's death.

Why Does This Stink? The stink is money and politics. There are many reports that a Streets and Sanitation dispatcher ordered plow crews to NOT lay road salt on Lake Shore Drive around 4:00 a.m. on Monday morning. That's about an hour prior to Sgt. Haymaker's fatal accident near the southbound Irving Park exit. Additionally, it is well known that Mayor Daley hates road salt because it contributes to pot holes and harms roadside vegetation, and Daley has been criticized in the past for not salting streets when needed.

CPD Sgt. Alan Haymaker

As we noted previously, IF a dispatcher actually issued an order to not salt LSD, said dispatcher would probably have done so only if it was in compliance with standing policy or specific orders from above. IF that happened, it would open the City of Chicago up to a very embarrassing investigation and expose it to a multi-million dollar lawsuit by the late Sgt. Haymaker's family. It could also cause department heads to roll, and cost Daley any future bid at getting re-elected.

Supt. Weis is often and widely criticized by his own troops as not caring about their safety and welfare. He is accused of being nothing more than an easily controlled political puppet of Mayor Daley. Weis' statement about a "lack of ice," even though "officers who were on the scene" said there was no ice, lacks credibility. Too many other people on the road at that time have reported that it was icy.

Why, for several days, did CPD keep attributing icy conditions as a factor in the crash? Why the sudden about-face by Weis?

Furthermore, any of the first responders at the Haymaker crash arrived after the car slid off the road and went over the curb. If there had been ice on the road, even just a patch of ice, at the moment Sgt. Haymaker lost control of his car, it could have melted before anybody got to the crash site.

Weis is guessing about ice or lack thereof, and we're guessing that he's doing so to help cover some high ranking asses. That pun, by the way, is fully intended.

Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Suspect Larry Brown, 28

When Chicago Police Sergeant Alan Haymaker lost control of his squad car just past 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, he was en route to the scene of a burglary at Verizon Wireless, 3176 N. Clark Street, Chicago.

Larry Brown, 28, of Markham, IL (photo) has been charged with burglary and with obstructing identification.

The CPD media statement (see below), and most of the media, are reporting that the burglary occurred "in the 3100 block of N. Clark St." Some media and blogs are incorrectly saying that the address was "3167 N. Clark St."

However, I phoned Verizon Wireless at 12:03 p.m. today and asked the woman who answered if the manager was in. Yes, she said, then asked who was calling. I said "a reporter." She then said that the manager was not taking calls. "Okay," I said, "so you've pretty much confirmed for me that yours is the cell phone store that was burglarized on Monday morning, right?" Silence from her, then, "I can't say anything about that." And that, ladies and gentlemen, is an unintentional confirmation. Why is this important? Because a man who protected others for years was killed on his way to defend that address and the property inside of it, that's why.

Sgt. Alan Haymaker

It is ridiculous to hide the address, since the Verizon Wireless store seems to be the only cell phone store "in the 3100 block of N. Clark Street" and divulging it cannot reasonably be considered as giving away private information. It's a bit like saying "the only ten-story building in the 3100 block of Makebelieve Street" and not expecting people to figure out which buidling it is just because you didn't give the exact address. Referring to "a cell phone store in the 3100 block" is just as stupid.

CPD Supt. Jody Weis said he wants to charge those responsible for this burglary with murder in the death of Sgt. Haymaker. Initial reports were that two people were sought in connection with the burglary. It's interesting that murder is not one of the charges brought against Brown - not yet, anyway.

From: nwsaffr@chicagopolice.org

Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:29 Subject: Offender charged today in connection with burglary of cellular phone store on Feb. 22nd in the 3100 block of N. Clark St. Chicago Police have charged an offender today in connection with the burglary of a cellular phone store in the 3100 block of N. Clark St. The burglary occurred on Monday, February 22, 2010 shortly after 5:30 a.m. Larry Brown, 28, of the 16500 block of Park Av. in Markham, Il. was charged with: • Obstructing Identification • Burglary Brown is expected to appear in Felony Bond Court today. **Mug shot attached** Chicago Police Department Office of News Affairs (312) 745-6110 Fax (312) 745-6999

Funeral Details for Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Update, 2/25/2010: Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Wake and Honors Funeral Arrangements for Town Hall (23rd) District Sergeant Alan Haymaker, who died as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident on Monday while responding to a burglary-in-progress call.

THE WAKE will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at Bethel Community Church, 7601 W. Foster, Chicago, IL 60656 Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. St. Jude will meet at 7 p.m.

FUNERAL SERVICES will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010 with a public viewing at 10 a.m. and church services at 11 a.m. at the same location. Chicago Police to escort family to private interment afterward.

Editor's Note: Neither Mayor Daley and Police Supt. Jody Weis will not be made to feel welcome at these events.

Chicago Media Screwing Up on Dead Cop Story

Update, 2/24/2010: Funeral Details for Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Update, 2/25/201: Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

What kind of morons do the local media hire? Every one of the mainstream media - including Fox Chicago News - keep saying that Sgt. Alan Haymaker was killed when his car "slid off an exit ramp." That's wrong.

Not only is that completely incorrect, the imbecile reporters actually show photos that contradict their own words. Fox Chicago News, for example.

Sgt. Haymaker's car never got to the exit ramp

In what seems to be an otherwise good report on Tuesday night, the Fox anchor speaks over a picture of the crash scene, which clearly shows that the car went directly from Lake Shore Drive onto a grassy area where it crashed.

Even as that is shown on screen, the anchor says that "his squad car slid off an exit ramp," but in the background you can see the ramp, which was obviously missed by the car. It wasn't even close to entering the ramp as my own report showed on Monday night.

My own photos were posted Monday night and show that Sgt. Haymaker's car was never on the exit ramp (see more photos here). Why is it so difficult for the mainstream media to report such a basic fact of this story correctly?

Who Really Killed Sgt. Alan Haymaker?

Update, 2/24/2010: Funeral Details for Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Update, 2/25/2010: Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Sgt Alan J. Haymaker | Star 2532
On Monday, Feb. 22, we asked some tough questions about the sad and untimely death of Sergeant Alan Joseph Haymaker, the third generation Chicago police office who died early Monday morning when his squad car slammed to a deadly halt when it hit a tree near the Irving Park exit ramp on Lake Shore Drive. It seems we were not entirely out of line with those questions, and there are even more questions today - and not just by us.

Before we ask who should be arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, let me clear up something that the rest of the media has repeatedly gotten wrong about this story. Sgt. Haymaker’s car did NOT "spin out" on an "apparently icy exit ramp on Lake Shore Drive” as incorrectly reported by The Chicago Tribune and other news media that have been too lazy to get off their overpaid asses to go look at the scene of death. Chicago News Bench did go, and we took photos that prove beyond doubt that Sgt. Haymaker never entered the exit ramp.

In fact, from all visible indications, Sgt. Haymaker did not even attempt to drive onto the exit ramp. Indeed, it would have made no sense for him to have taken that exit ramp, as we pointed out yesterday, because he was reportedly responding to a burglary scene in the 3100 block of N. Clark Street, whereas the Irving Park exit ramp is at 4100 north. Sgt. Haymaker would more likely have been intending to exit Lake Shore Drive at either Addison or Belmont.

So, Sgt. Haymaker did not “spin out” on the Irving Park exit ramp, because his car simply did not enter that exit ramp. Furthermore, from our first-hand observations and photographs, his car probably did not even spin out on Lake Shore Drive. Rather, the tire tracks of his car indicate that he drove in a straight line from LSD, over the curb, and straight onto the grassy area between the exit ramp and LSD. It seems that his car spun (fish tailed) about 90 degrees in the split second between jumping the curb and hitting the light pole a few feet before the tree that destroyed both him and his squad car.

SO, WHO KILLED SGT. HAYMAKER - AND WHO SHOULD BE CHARGED? There are rumors flying that Mayor Richard Daley gave an order to not put road salt on Lake Shore Drive. Another rumor is that a Streets and Sanitation dispatcher gave an order to not salt LSD. Neither rumor has been substantiated. To play devil’s advocate, a dispatcher be very unlikely to issue such an order unless he/she was confident that it complied with existing city policy, whether that policy was publicly know or not. To do so would certainly raise eyebrows immediately, and probably bring disciplinary action shortly thereafter.

Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis has his own idea of who killed Sgt. Haymaker, and it’s a weird idea at that. He blames the burglars that Sgt. Haymaker was en route to on N. Clark Street.

WGNTV.com reports that Weis "said officials are in discussion with the Cook County state's attorney's office to see if felony murder charges could be lodged against the burglars responsible for the early morning break in at a cell-phone store in the 3100 block of North Clark Street, where Haymaker was headed.... Under Illinois statutes it appears they could be charged with murder... 'that is something I think that we'll be looking at with the States Attorney's office,' Weis said. 'But I think it's something that we certainly will consider'."

Weis said he believes that under state law the person behind a crime can be charged with murder if responding officers are killed. The burglary is also under investigation because no one has been apprehended. If that’s what state law allows, fine. However, it does not address what actually, physically caused Sgt. Haymaker’s car to jump the curb and hit that tree. There’s the road salt question, of course, but there’s also questions about the condition of the squad car that Sgt. Haymaker was driving.

SALT IN THE WOUND It’s been said that LSD, a major road, was icy at the time of the accident. But, why? The storm that hit on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 21 started dumping snow on Lake Shore Drive at approximately 9:00 p.m. by my own recollection. Sgt. Haymaker hit the tree just past 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, some eight hours later. LSD is no small side street, and should have been cleared of snow and well salted by then. Monday morning rush hour was about to begin, after all. It should be remembered that a decision to not salt LSD put thousands of commuters at risk of a fate similar to that met by Sgt. Haymaker.

Item: The Department of Streets and Sanitation operates the big blue snow plows that also spread road salt. We hear from reliable sources that more than one Streets and San employee stopped to tell investigators at the scene of Sgt. Haymaker’s accident that a dispatcher gave the order to NOT salt Lake Shore Drive on Monday morning.

Item: Second City Cop blog (SCC) notes that one of their commenters, “from a cop on traffic control at the scene,” said that a snowplow driver on the inner drive” waived him/her down “and he stated that they were under orders...NOT to salt Lakeshore Drive! The City Snowplow Driver seemed sincere and pissed off that a needless accident had to happen because of his direct orders.” SCC also noted that an e-mail to them seems to confirm this: “A friend who monitored the radio transmission this morning stated that someone from streets n san broadcasted the following... ‘No More Salt On Lake Shore Drive’! That was before the Sgt Crashed. Can someone pull the tapes for that Sgt's family! I figured your the best source of info relay.” See more comments about this at Second City Cop...

Item: A local blog says that “Mayor Daley gave the order NOT TO SALT Lake Shore Dr. during snow storms - Due to the salt killing the plants in the center planters.... And now we have today's accident that claimed the life of Sgt. Haymaker.... There are many reports that the Streets and Sans guys were given the ordered NOT TO SALT LAKE SHORE DRIVE. Why? Because the salt gets kicked up into the cement planters and kills the plants and damages the soil.” (Source: Advisory for strong language) If orders were given to NOT salt LSD, perhaps Supt. Weis should focus his murder investigation on Streets and Sanitation, as well as on Mayor Daley.

QUESTIONS REMAIN Even if ice was a factor in the accident this morning, why did Sgt. Haymaker steer his car off of Lake Shore Drive, over the curb, and into light post and tree, with NO sign of any spin out prior to leaving the pavement of LSD?

There are now questions being asked as to why the road was so icy. Was it because there was no salt put on the road? Was Chicago Streets and Sanitation instructed to not salt Lake Shore Drive? Why would the City not want this large stretch of road traveled daily by thousands of people salted?

Attorney Jamie G. Goldstein asks, "There are now questions being asked as to why the ramp was so icy. Was it because there was no salt put on the ramp? Was Chicago Streets and Sanitation instructed to not salt Lake Shore Drive? Why would the City not want this large stretch of road traveled daily by thousands of people salted?" We'll forgive her for being misinformed by the media that Sgt. Haymaker was on "the ramp," but her question about salt - or lack thereof - on the road Sgt. Haymaker last traveled is valid.

Another frightening possibility might be found in alleged maintenance negligence. A commenter to one of the blogs cited above wrote that “There are reports on SCC that the pool car that the Sgt was driving was deficient too. Someone posted that the tires appeared to be nearly bald and that the airbag did not deploy.”

For Supt. Weis to blame the death of Sgt. Haymaker on two at-large burglary suspects seems like an attempt to divert attention away from possible negligence by the city itself: Mayor Daley for his anti-road salt position, Streets and Sanitation for allegedly ordering salt truck drivers to not salt LSD, and the Chicago Police Department for possibly assigning poorly maintained vehicles to its officers. Weis might have legal ground to stand on when he says he might bring murder charges against the burglars, if captured, but morally he stands on thin ice by not demanding full investigations into Chicago’s own bureaucratic morass.

FINAL QUESTIONS No disrespect to Sgt. Haymaker is intended by this question, but it needs to be asked: Was his blood checked for alcohol and/or drugs? I do not mean to imply anything by that question, but if anybody else had such an accident we would ask. The public has a right to know that even for a private citizen. We have as much right to know that when it involves a police sergeant.

RELATED:

Exclusive: Chicago Cop's Death on LSD Raises Big Questions

Update 2/24/2010: Funeral Details for Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Update 2/23/2010: Who Really Killed Sgt. Alan Haymaker?

Update, 2/25/2010: Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

R.I.P., Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Monday, February 22, 2010 - The tragic and untimely death of Sergeant Alan Haymaker just past 5:00 a.m. today has been blamed on "icy conditions," but that - and our exclusive photos below - raise more questions. Chicago News Bench visited the crash scene, and it left us wondering if CPD is telling the whole story of what really caused the accident.

Note: Our photos, below, clearly show what the other media have not shown: That Sgt. Haymaker's car was never on the exit ramp, he did not attempt to take the exit ramp, and that he transitioned over the curb from Lake Shore Drive in a straight line with NO spin-out.

In short, Sgt. Haymaker completely missed the well-lit, well-marked, easily visible Irving Park off ramp, and instead drove straight over the curb on Lake Shore Drive (LSD). He did not lose control on the ramp - in fact, he never entered the ramp. As he jumped the curb, his car continued in a straight line, knocking down a light pole and slamming to a stop when it hit a tree. It is not known whether Sgt. Haymaker was actually trying to take the Irving Park ramp - it seems very unlikely, however, because it was many blocks north of the burglary to which he was responding.

Sgt. Haymaker was still well north of where he should have been getting off, which should have at Belmont to approach the burglary at 3167 N. Clark. Belmont is 3200 north. The Irving Park exit ramp, actually at Bittersweet and Marine, is 4100 north.

The public "explanation" given so far by Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Unit is puzzling and insufficient in light of photographs (below) taken by Chicago News Bench on Monday afternoon.

The photos we have seen elsewhere, like the one here by The Chicago Tribune, do not show the tire tracks of the car as they leave LSD, go over the curb, and straight toward a tree. Our photos show that. According to CPD, Sgt. Haymaker was driving south on Lake Shore Drive as he was en route to a report of a burglary scene at 3167 N. Clark Street, several blocks west and more than 10 blocks north of the Irving Park off ramp. Lake Shore Drive is well lit. While "icy conditions" were named as a reason for the accident, visibility was not mentioned. The stretch of LSD southbound lanes is long and flat in the approach to the Irving Park off ramp, so nothing should have been obstructing Sgt. Haymaker's view of the wide and well-marked off ramp.

Our questions for the Chicago Police Department:

There is no mention in the reports visibility being a factor in the accident; what was the ground visibility at that location at that time?

Was Sgt. Haymaker attempting to enter the Irving Park exit ramp?

How fast is it estimated that Sgt. Haymaker's car was moving when it went over the curb?

Even if ice was a factor in the accident this morning, why did he steer his car off of Lake Shore Drive, over the curb, and into light post and tree, with NO sign of any spin out prior to leaving the pavement of LSD?

Was Sgt. Haymaker's blood tested for drugs and for alcohol?

Is CPD saying that Streets and Sanitation had not salted LSD and all off ramps by the beginning of the morning rush hour? Is CPD saying that a major road (LSD) was icy more than eight hours after the snow storm began?

Is it CPD's policy that officers drive at very high speeds to a burglarly at a retail address at 5:00 a.m., when there is no threat to life at the burglary scene?

The car seems to have spun after leaving LSD and before striking the light pole; had it continued straight it would probably have missed the pole as indicated by the tire tracks still clearly visible in the snow at 3:15 p.m. today. This indicates that the car may have fishtailed, most likely as Sgt. Haymaker tried to steer and/or brake on the slippery snow-covered grass of the median on which he suddenly found himself.

Our photos below clearly show the path that Sgt. Haymaker's car took as it mysteriously went over the curb. There seems to have been no spin out prior to jumping the curb. We saw no skid marks on Lake Shore Drive anywhere near the accident scene.

		Click images to enlarge
		Photos by Tom Mannis

ALERT: CPD Chief Weis News Conference, 2 PM Today

NEWS ALERT: Crime in Chicago last month was down compared to January 2008, according to statistics to be released this afternoon. Details were not available, but Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis is expected to discuss them at 2 p.m. today at police headquarters. (Source) CNB RSS Feed

14 Year Old Boy Impersonates Mayor of Chicago

How the hell does the idiot Mayor of Chicago keep getting re-elected? By now, you've all heard about the 14 year old boy who impersonated a Chicago police officer. In yesterday's Chicago Tribune, Daley was quoted as defending - hang on, this gets frikking weirder by the sentence - as defending Police Superintendent Jody Weis's decision to have the US Secret Service investigate the boy and the utter lack of prudence by police officials. That kid would have been asked for a photo ID by just about any 7-Eleven clerk if he'd asked for cigarettes. The cops just hand out cars now without an ID? To little boys? And the Secret Service is investigating?!? And the CPD can't do its own internal investigation?!?!? WTF!?!?! The Tribune quoted Mayor Daley: "What bothers me is I’d hate to see it at Halloween if everybody walks in – a 12- or 14-year-old walks into a police station on Halloween, they'll be handed a desk. They'll give them a car. They'll give them a badge … That's a real concern that we have." Well, maybe now it's a real concern, but obviously it was not much of one when the kid bamboozled half the CPD. God Almighty, and Mayor Daley thinks Weis is just wonderful for asking the Secret Service to do the investigation? By the way, doesn't the Secret Service have more urgent things to worry about? I might be wrong, but I think they do. Okay, so after giving his stamp of approval to a police superintendent whose force allowed a kid, a boy, to fake his way into a uniform and a squad car, Mayor Daley goes on to give his stamp of approval to Ron Huberman, his pick for new head of Chicago Public Schools. And what is the reason that Daley gave for thinking Huberman is the perfect guy for they job? What the...!?!? Why, Huberman's perfect because he has no experience at running a school system! Really!!! Nobody could make this shit up, people! If you wrote this as a screenplay you'd be laughed out of the producer's office. Hell, it would never make past the first reading, actually, but here's Mayor Daley blessing two of his top guys - one for not doing his job well, the other for knowing nothing about the job he's about to take on! Huh?!?! CNB RSS Feed

Updated: Open Letter to 24th Dist Commander Sobczyk

ROGERS PARK, CHICAGO - January 23 - What a mess in Chicago's 24th Police District and the 49th Aldermanic Ward. David Sobczyk, 24th Dist. Commander recently admitted that it is policy to allow gangsters to make "shrines" to murdered gang members. Community activists were outraged when this was learned, which set some local bloggers (including this one) to post against the practice. The "shrines" often deface public or private property, sometimes both. Building a shrine to memorialize a dead gang member involves dumping items such as cheap teddy bears, mylar balloons, votive candles, bottles of liquor and trinkets on the public way. Often, gang graffiti is sprayed on any nearby walls and the sidewalk. (For background, see "Anger in Rogers Park Over Police Protection of Gang Graffiti, Shrines" and "Chicago Cops Protect Gang Shrines.") Updated: Also see "(Another) Open Letter to Commander Sobczyk (Jan. 24)" Today, Commander Sobczyk is making matters worse by sending out an email blast which, in effect, repeats the admission that police have orders to essentially protect gang shrines for 48 hours. Chicago News Bench was included in the email blast, which prompted me to respond to him in an open letter (below). To make matters worse, Sobczyk subtly chides the concerned citizens for being insensitive, and calls the grotesque practice "universal." The commander, still fresh in his position as Boss of the 24th District, seems incapable of stepping around messy piles in plain sight. He has chosen, rather, to step right into them, and the mess is sticking to his shoes. OPEN LETTER TO COMMANDER DAVID A. SOBCZYK 24TH DISTRICT, CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:08:25 -0800 (PST) From: Tom Mannis Subject: Gang Shrines and The Office Who Attacked Me To: Jody Weis, Superintendent, Chicago Police Department I feel you should be aware of the following email thread. Kind regards, Tom Mannis Chicago News Bench www.rogersparkbench.blogspot.com --------------------------------------------- Date: Friday, January 23, 2009 5:48 PM (CST) From: Tom Mannis Subject: Gang Shrines and The Office Who Attacked Me To: David A. Sobczyk, Commander, 24th District Commander Sobczyk: Two things. A response to your letter regarding gang shrines and a request for information about the investigation one of your officers. On June 28, 2008 I was assaulted by 24th District Officer Kanski (badge number 10983). He and other officers stood by and watched a paramedic assault and try to forcibly rob Craig Gernhardt of his camera. Officer Kanski then turned his attention to me, and tried to forcibly take my camera. I filed a formal complaint with [a sergeant] in July, 2008, who assured me that there would be a full investigation. The 24th District has not extended the courtesy of informing me of the outcome of that investigation, and I hereby request a report of said promised investigation. (See http://rogersparkbench.blogspot.com/2008/06/video-bloggers-assaulted-by-first.html) As to your comment in your email dated 1/23/09 that "the placement of candles, signage and stuffed animals has become a universally conventional practice in honoring the loss of a loved one," do you honestly expect us all to believe that the vandalization of property public and private is now the way in which most of us (you said "universal") honor the loss of a loved one? Sir, how stupid do you think we are? If what you wrote is true, please explain why we don't commonly see people defacing the public way when a friend or family member dies. Commander, where do you draw the line? I am no gang member, but are you saying that if a friend of mine dies, I can load a pile of crap onto the public way, light a bunch of candles around it, and the police won't haul it off for "48 hours?" (By the way, sir, who sets the official time for the start of that 48 hour period?) Or, Commander, does this free pass on vandalism and defacement of public and private property apply only to select denizens of the local underworld? Commander, your comments and the CPD policy as regards gang shrines insults all of us. Tom Mannis Chicago News Bench www.rogersparkbench.blogspot.com --------------------------------------------- On Fri, 1/23/09, Sobczyk, David A. wrote: From: Sobczyk, David A. Subject: Re: Gang Shrines To: "'luckenbach@rcn.com'" Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 4:01 PM Sir, I certainly regret that you are unable to come and discuss your concerns with me in person. In your response to wanting an “official, written response” regarding the policy of gang memorial removal, I will answer as follows: First and foremost, the Police in the 024TH District in no way condone or wish to promote criminal street gangs. Having said that, the guiding light in the removal of a “memorial” is common sense and practicality; two highly valued attributes that do not lend themselves well to intractable/official policies. In other words, the precise method and timing for the removal of such a memorial is based upon the careful consideration of one or more of the following circumstances and/or concerns: • Officer Safety • Public Safety (traffic obstruction issues) • Location of the Memorial (i.e., public versus private property) • Availability of Required Street & Sanitation Personnel • Memorial Content (generic versus gang-related) In today’s world, the placement of candles, signage and stuffed animals has become a universally conventional practice in honoring the loss of a loved one. For those memorials which have no gang-related connection, the police will typically assess the situation and respectfully inform the family and friends that such a memorial will have a finite existence. Those memorials which are gang-related, will be removed in a more expedient manner pursuant to the aforementioned considerations. Commander David Sobczyk 024TH District Chicago Police Department -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Michael luckenbach To: ward49@cityofchicago.org ; Sobczyk, David A.; Jody Weis Sent: Fri Jan 23 15:33:59 2009 Subject: Gang Shrines Gentlemen: The residents of the 24th Police District and the 49th Ward continue to await a written reply to the open letter (below) sent to you on Thursday, January 22, 2009. As requested, we would like clarification regarding the 24th District 'policy' in dealing with 'gang shrines' in and on the public way in our community. Sincerely, M. Luckenbach North Howard Neighbors Association -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Open Letter to: Police Superintendent Jody Weis 24th District Commander Dave Sobczyk Alderman Joe Moore Gentlemen: A response to this concern, which was e-mailed to each of you last week, has not yet been received. The residents of the 24th District and 49th Ward await your response and clarification on this matter. Sincerely, Michael Luckenbach North Howard Neighbors Association -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'GANG SHRINES' AND THE 24th POLICE DISTRICT In regard to the crime situation in our community, I want to relate the following to all 49th Ward residents: I attended a meeting the evening of Friday, Jan.16th, as a member of the NoH Parks' Advisory Council's Security Committee. In addition to Chicago Park District personnel (program, facilities and security), Sergeant John Delgado, 24th District, was in attendance. When the subject of 'gang shrines' came up, Sgt. Delgado informed us that it was the 'policy' of the 24th District to allow 'gang shrines' to remain, in place on public property, for up to 48 hours. I was dumbfounded by this revelation, as I'm sure all law abiding RP residents will be. I strongly voiced my objection to this 'policy' as completely absurd and ridiculous on a number of levels, from enabling and glorifying to coddling the gang lifestyle and activity in our community. This 'attitude'/policy is a serious affront to our residents and our community. It should be OFFICIALLY discontinued immediately. There must be ZERO tolerance to glorification or tolerance of ANY gang activity, period, particularly on the part of our 24th District Police officers. I intend to pursue this matter further, with STRONG objections, to Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis, 24th District Commander David Sobczyk, as well as 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore. I strongly urge ALL residents of our community to do the same. Voice your feelings and opinion now to: jody.weis@chicagopolice.org David.Sobczyk@chicagopolice.org ward49@cityofchicago.org ----------------------------------- When your mother dies, Dear Reader, will you memorialize her by dumping a few cheap teddy bears, mylar balloons, votive candles and bottles of cheap liquor on a street corner? Commander Sobczyk thinks you are likely to. Why else would call such a practice "universal?" Subscribe to Chicago News Bench

Attn Jody Weis: Read Comment #6

Disturbing police behavior in the wake of a gang shootout in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood this afternoon. Uptown Update posts that it was the wild west around 3:30 today, but police did not make arrests. What? No arrests, that's right folks, EVEN AFTER A WITNESS POINTED OUT SOME OF THE SHOOTERS. ARE YOU READING THIS SUPT. WEIS??? Comment #6 at Uptown Update says, in part: About 9 shots, gang bangers were ducking and covering around sunnyside. I went out and pointed the guys I saw out to the cops. Officer said.."No arrests are being made because no one was hurt and no property damaged." READ IT ALL at UPTOWN UPDATE... So, is it suddenly police policy to not arrest shooters unless there are injuries or property damage? This fits right in with the CPD refusal to arrest a top aide to Ald. Joe Moore (49th) even though the cops filled out a battery complaint against her recently!

Fake Liberals Defend Police Misconduct

There are some hypocrites out there who have criticized me - and other writers - for criticizing the Chicago police. How sad. How cowardly and hypocritical. How un-Liberal.

How brave (not) it is to paint neighborhood new media reporters (a.k.a. "bloggers") as bad guys because they are critical of police mistakes or misconduct. How cowardly, for the same people, to not criticize the Big Media for doing exactly the same thing.

Rogers Park bloggers are being assaulted, attacked, harassed and hounded by 24th District cops. No, not all of the cops here. A handful of them, however, are engaged in bad behavior. 24th District Police Commander Caluris, a likable enough fellow, says he is upset by this behavior. He says he wants to know about it. Perhaps he should let his officers know that he doesn't like. The beat cops, some of them anyway, seem unaware of his displeasure with unwarranted harassment.

One must wonder: Are some of the cops influenced by Alderman Moore, a despicable man who has gotten a lot of harsh criticism from local bloggers? It's just a theory, but it's not out of the question. Moore would not be the first petty politician to do such a thing. We already know that Joe Moore uses a couple of local lunatics as attack bloggers to attack those who shine light on his corruption and ineptitude.

How sad that people who pretend to be Liberals or Progressives or Democrats have become so entrenched in the very system that they pretend to fight. How tragic that those so-called freedom lovers and free speech advocates are so anti-free speech and, therefore, anti-freedom and pro-police misconduct.

Will the same pipsqueaks have the courage to write the same things about the Chicago Sun-Times? Today's issue blares a front page story that is harshly critical of the CPD. The story, on page 5, is headlined "Were police unprepared for Taste of Chicago violence?"

The post-Hippy, post-Summer of Love "Liberals" and "Democrats" are not what they claim to be. Now they cling to hacks like Alderman Joe Moore, faux-Democrats like King Richard Daley, and - cynically just because it's politically expedient - defend local police who harass local writers. Once upon a time, there were true Liberals and true Democrats who would have been loudly deriding that kind of police behavior. These days, however, the Joe Moore sycophants and the Mayor Daley goose steppers just turn a blind eye. Worse yet, some cheer it on.

Gosh Darn You, Mayor Daley

God bless the rank and file officers of the Chicago Police Department. Gosh darn Mayor Richard Daley, the ACLU and the Chicago City Council. They are losing the battle against the criminals. Their own policies have ensured this. Many of us saw it coming years ago. Daley & Company still don't understand this. Lighter sentences, wimpier police tactics, coddling of lousy parents, and on and on and on for decades have produced the human trash that brandished guns and shot four people downtown after Taste of Chicago. But Daley, and idiots like Father Pfleger, still have their heads up each other's asses, believing that tougher handgun laws will somehow magically make gang members fully civilized persons. The city lost the gun battle years ago, in spite of a tough anti-handgun ban. Any sane person knew this would happen: Outlaw the guns, and only the bad guys will have them. The authoritarian Mayor Daley maintains his defiant stance against legal handgun ownership, in spite of the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. How many more years of gangs shooting each other and innocent people, how many more years of gun-toting thugs robbing and killing innocent people must we take before Daley - whose own bodyguards carry pistols - understands that no matter how "tough" his unconstitutional anti-handgun laws are, the bad guys will still have them. Plenty of them. Yesterday, I criticized CPD Superintendent Weis for his ridiculous statements in the wake of four people being shot (one died) after Taste of Chicago let out on Thursday nigth (see "Four More Daley Failures"). The Sun-Times reported on July 4 that Weis said police would be out "in greater numbers" for Friday night's Navy Pier fireworks show "after four people were shot last night as crowds streamed out of the Grant Park fireworks and Taste of Chicago." More police downtown for Taste? Arithmetic and the laws of phyics dictate that some officers would be taken from other districts to increase coverage of the downtown area. Did that concern Weis? Did it concern Daley? Doubtful. (In fairness, Weis must kow-tow to Emperor Daley.) But it concerned a lot of police officers. Here is the opinion of one: Losing the Streets ("Second City Cop" blog) Can you see it J-Fed? Can you feel it?Are you finally realizing what you're here for? You are a well-paid target. And the only person carrying the weapon that will bring you down is the mayor..... Everything we've seen and heard suggests we were short at least 300 cops last night. WGN actually had footage of the brawl in front of Buckingham Fountain. Certainly a proud moment in the history of the Taste of Chicago and in the Daley Administration. The question that ought to be discussed at length is whose head is going to be on the chopping block for this? Because Daley can't blame anyone except the management, and every single one of them is someone he told J-Fed to put there. And could any of the media finally pick up on the fact that we are shorthanded? It doesn't get much more obvious. Stop sniffing Daley's ass long enough to do a head count. FULL POST at Second City Cop...

Four More Daley Failures

"Chicago police will be out in greater numbers for tonight’s Navy Pier fireworks show after four people were shot last night as crowds streamed out of the Grant Park fireworks and Taste of Chicago," reports the Chicago Sun-Times today.

Thank goodness for Mayor Daley's (unconstitutional) handgun ban. He could argue, I suppose, that if not for the handgun ban there would have been even more shootings in Chicago last night. He might also argue that since we cannot see beyond the horizon, the earth must be flat.

“We’re going to have an even greater police presence” tonight, Police Supt. Jody Weis announced this afternoon. “We’ll have both uniformed officers and officers in a covert status that will mingle with the crowd and provide even greater security.” He also said, “It will be agile. It will be fluid, but we will be where the problems might develop.”

It's comforting to know that Superintendent Weis has crystal balls. He apparently plans to have remote viewers on duty tonight, able to see into the future and know exactly where trouble will happen before it happens. Now, why didn't Supt. Weis have that plan in effect last night?

Memo to CPD Chief Weis: Put Your CAPS On

So, big shakeup in the Chicago Police Department today. Still-new CPD Chief Jody Weis, a former FBI agent, made some huge and very significant changes in the command structure. He had a press conference, sure. He knows about the major media in town. NBC5 reports today that "Superintendent Jody Weis is making sweeping changes within the ranks of the Chicago Police Department, replacing 21 district police commanders and up to 20 more deputy chiefs or upper management positions." But nobody, apparently, has told Chief Weis about CAPS or his department's own web site. The CPD's own web site makes no mention of the major changes in the command structure, none that could be found. And there was apparently no email blast to CAPS chapters around the city, which the CPD should have done as a courtesy, at the very least. Instead, you had episodes of confusion such as the one in the 49th Ward today. Alderman-in-abstentia Joe Moore sent out an email telling people that 24th District Commander Rottner was being replaced by "Sergeant Steve Caluris." In fact, Caluris was Deputy Chief Steve Caluris of the CPD's Organized Crime Division until his promotion today, not a sergeant. This raises more questions: Why didn't the CPD send an email blast to the city's aldermen, who are our elected officials to the City Council? Why didn't Alderman Moore know anything about the man who just became the second most import cop in his life (second to to Rottner, who becomes essentially the general of the north side)? The other questions bear repeating. Why no email from CPD to CAPS chapters? Why no emails to aldermen? This is disturbing. Chief Weis didn't have to pay any attention to CAPS when he was with the FBI. Either he is uneducated about CAPS, or he still feels he doesn't need them. He certainly needs the support of the aldermen. Is Chief Weis really so politically ignorant? Or is he just oh so arrogant?

Racist Pig Mary Mitchell

Mary Mitchell thinks Chicago's new police superintendent, J.P. "Jody" Weis, wants to lynch her. Weis (pronounced "wees") is a honky, you see. A cracker. A Caucasian. And therefore, in the twisted mind of Mary Mitchell, an enemy, a racist, a bogey man.

She started her November 30 column with this: "I understand why Mayor Daley went outside of the Chicago Police Department to recruit a new police superintendent, especially since interim Police Supt. Dana Starks didn't want the job."

Okay, then, that should be the end of it. But Mitchell is lying. She really doesn't understand it. She is very unhappy with it, in fact. Why? Well, because FBI Agent Weis, soon to be Chicago's new top cop, is - hold on - white. That, in the paranoid world of Mitchell & Company, is just horrific.

Jody Weis is currently a special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia office, a post he took last April. Weis worked in the areas of terrorism, white-collar crime, organized crime and violent crime. But Jody Weis is the wrong color, you see.

Who is Jody Weis? The FBI's web site sheds some light: Mr. Weis began his career in 1985 in the Houston Division of the FBI in the Corpus Christi Resident Agency where he was assigned to reactive crimes. He opted for a transfer to Houston, Texas, and was assigned terrorism, narcotics, and violent crime matters. Mr. Weis also served on the Houston SWAT team and as a Bomb Technician. Mr. Weis was promoted to the FBI's Bomb Data Center in November 1992 and was transferred to the Violent Crimes/Fugitive Unit in October 1994. In January 1996 Mr. Weis was selected for the Violent Crimes Squad in Phoenix, Arizona, where, during the course of his assignment at Phoenix, he also supervised Domestic Terrorism, International Terrorism, and Civil Rights squads. Mr. Weis was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office in June 2000 where he was responsible for the While Collar Crime, Organized Crime, Violent Crime, and Administrative Programs during his assignment in Illinois.

Does that sound like a guy who is not qualified?

I've had it up to here with Mary Mitchell, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and her whiny, woe-is-me victimology "writing." I know I'm not alone. I happen to be a Honky-American, just to let you know, but one of Black-American friends can't stand her either. He doesn't like the fact that Mitchell perpetuates the reliance on Big Government, the Plantation Mentality, and Disproportionate Fear.

Mitchell also wrote, "I'm also surprised that in this entire United States of America, there was not one qualified black police chief who would work for $185,000 annually. Yet Daley was so impressed by Weis, he agreed to pay him $300,000 a year."

Mitchell is either an ignorant fool or is deliberately distorting reality. Think about it, people. There must surely be a "qualified black police chief," as Mitchell whined, who would take Mayor Daley's offer for $185,000 a year. There are probably a number of them. There are probably some Hispanic, Asian and maybe an Eskimo who would be "qualified," too. And, hard as it is for some to accept, a few white dudes, too.

Where Mitchell misses the point, however, is that "qualified" is not always good enough. Plenty of people can be "qualified" to do a particular job. But just how many of those "qualified" people would also be exemplary? How many would excel? Not simply do a ho-hum, competent job of it, but really make a difference? Maybe a few. Perhaps Mayor Daley is wrong, but he thinks Weis is the best person for the job. Time will tell of course, but racists like Mitchell would rather assume that a black candidate would have been the better choice.

One must wonder if fellow racist William Beavers helped Mitchell write her column. She defended Beavers one day earlier, in her November 29 column. Earlier this week, Cook County Commissioner Beavers moaned that Cook County President Todd Strogers can't get his budget passed "because he's black." Sad, very sad, that such racism and paranoia persists in 2007, but there it is. (Sadder still, that Beavers was being cynical; he knows damned well that Stroger's problems with the commissioners is not racially based.)

Yesterday, Mitchell saw Klan members dancing around City Hall and Police headquarters. The Klan was all in her head of course, but Mitchell is good at transferring her paranoia to paper, and she sells a lot of Sun-Times copies to other, equally frightened people.

"I had hoped that Daley would have tapped a black candidate," wrote Mitchell, "because at least then people in these volatile communities, many of whom have good reason not to trust the police, might at least have been willing to give the new chief the benefit of the doubt." So there it is. Mitchell admits it. She would have preferred a candidate solely on the basis of his race. She stated it very clearly. She is a racist.

Racist Mary Mitchell wrapped up her racist column with this:

"Weis may be well-intended, and I wish him the best. But to too many, he will be just another law-and-order cop who doesn't have a clue about the circumstances that help turn neighborhoods into killing fields."

Is Mitchell against "law-and-order" police? Mitchell complains that Weis has no "clue about the circumstances" that make some neighborhoods dangerous, or "killing fields," as she overstates.

Well here's a news flash for racist Mitchell: Jody Weis is not being hired as a social worker. The cops are not social workes. They deal with the symptoms of the disease. They are not tasked to cure it.

But to say that Weil has no understanding about why some neighborhoods are "killing fields" is one hell of an assumption to make. But I'm sure Weis understands that a large part of the problem is out of wedlock black mothers having kids in their early teens. Weis is probably aware of the fact that too many black men take no responsibility for their own children. And Weis is probably aware that victimologists like racist Mary Mitchell continue to tell those irresponsible fathers, the drug users, the bad parents, the ne'er do wells, that it's not their fault, that the government owes them a living, that all white folk are evil. A black superintendent of police would not do a damn thing to change any of that, Mizz Mitchell.

So, yes, good luck to Mr. Weis. You'll be walking into a cauldron of racial prejudice.

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