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* Mayor Daley dodged questions last Thursday about how hundreds of vacancies at the Chicago Police Dept. may be impacting the city’s horrible crime problem…
A broadcast journalist mentioned the Tribune story [regarding the vacancies] to him, and Daley replied: “I know, don’t worry. Tomorrow, we’ll be there. OK, thank you.”
* Hizzoner made no comments about the matter on Friday, but he did have something to say about the topic on Saturday…
“No, no,” said Daley when asked about the lack of new hires and the impact on safety. When pressed, Daley bristled and said, “It just won’t.”
It just won’t.
Nice explanation, mayor.
* More from Saturday…
Mayor Richard Daley says his administration is working on hiring more Chicago police officers but offered no time frame for the positions.
Just trust him. Magic money will certainly appear.
* A recent Rasmussen Reports poll asked respondents whether they believed Chicago was a safe place to live.
This was a statewide poll, but a plurality, 42-33, believed the city was safe. 25 percent were unsure. Even a plurality of self-identified conservatives thought the city was a safe place to live by a 38-35 margin. Just shy of a majority of liberals said it was safe, 48-37. 42 percent of males and females thought it was safe.
The racial disparity, however, was huge.
42 percent of whites thought the city was a safe place to live, while 30 percent said it wasn’t.
But just 18 percent of African-Americans surveyed said Chicago was a safe place to live and a large majority, 59 percent, said it wasn’t safe.
63 percent of those making over $100K a year thought the city was safe, while just 25 percent of those making $20K-$40K said it was safe.
Not surprising, of course, but definitely food for thought. For all its progress, Chicago is still a sharply divided town when it comes to standard of living.
Daley needs to stop stonewalling on this police vacancy situation, own up to the mess and get something done.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 10:30 am
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Daley’s riding the tiger here. He has to figure a way to get off safely and soon. He’s going to have to hire more cops and make nice with them. My guess is he’ll feed Weiss to the tiger sooner rather than later.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 10:48 am
All those tears of skimming TIFF dollars off to his friends have decided to roost at this time.
Maybe some of the dollars the city will get from the ending of the central district TIFF can be shared with the schools, police and fire departments……
Wiess has done most of what he was brought in to do. He can take his big payout and go…..
Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 10:54 am
Perhaps the safety issue highlights Chicago’s segregation issue (self-segregated). I am sure most conservatives think of SOldier(s) field, Wrigley and the shopping, restaurants, nightlife in regards to Saftey. While many of the minority and poorer areas think of children getting shot by some moron who cannot shoot straight. The segregated nature of most cities lead for more poor people to live with more middle class in the same neighborhood.
Chicago is safe to visit as the only dangerous neighborhood I would visit is on 35th.
Comment by Wumpus Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 11:09 am
All major cities are in financial trouble - not sure why Daley is trying to keep his dire budget situation under wraps. According to a NPR report this morning, Los Angeles has a looming $400 million deficit and New York’s deficit is even larger than LA’s.
Maybe our Emperor has some tricky fiscal solutions in mind to deceive the rating agencies about the magnitude of Chicago’s financial woes. The emperor is probably expecting a financial bail-out from an Obama Presidency, if Daley can control the short-term hemorrhaging.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 12:29 pm
I think Chicago is relatively safe in neighborhoods where gangs aren’t fighting for control of the drug trade. Random violent crime can strike anywhere, but the main problem is gang-infested areas. Walking on streets between midnight and 4:00 AM can be a risky proposition almost anywhere. Women,of course, are far more at risk given potential vulnerablity to sexual predators. Property crime is an onipresnet risk in any urban setting.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 12:37 pm
daley has cut the police department to the point where it is no longer effective. Every year recently the number of retirees has outpaced the number hired. The city has evised the number of “budgeted officers” downward to make it appear that the shortage of officers isn’t as severe as it is. Crime is up across the board in Chicago Violent crime and property crime. Maybe it’s time to cut bait on the Olympic dream and get back to managing the interests of the citizens of Chicago. Oh wait Daley is going on another trip abroad soon good to see out of control crime and huge budget deficit dont get in the way of another vacation.
Comment by fed up Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 12:56 pm
Is this called passing the buck?
Comment by Levois Monday, Sep 29, 08 @ 3:14 pm