Ferguson Riots

[NorthSideSox72]

I will say that the even bigger picture is being missed here. it isn't JUST race, it is a government run amok, using law enforcement as a stealth tax system. It isn't about catching robbers and killers as it is shaking down peeps for tinted windows and making sure beauticians have the 'proper' licenses. There are towns all across the country that are infamous for shaking down motorists for the slightest of things, often just making them up, to provide revenue. I remember a story of a town that had only 250 residents but had a police force of 20, and had more tickets than most of their state combined. This is tyranny, and it doesn't matter the race. People rightly should be upset at the systematical targeting of citizens by police simply to feed their coffers.

There are a number of Chicago suburbs like this. Near me, the one with that rep is Northfield. Population 5k, in a very safe bedroom community. They have 19 sworn officers. To put that in perspective, that's double to triple the officers-per-population ratio of the suburbs around it, even though those other suburbs are in very well off areas with tons of money to spend (and those other suburbs also have much more in the way of large businesses, malls and major roads to cover).

 

[Balta1701]

I will say that the even bigger picture is being missed here. it isn't JUST race, it is a government run amok, using law enforcement as a stealth tax system. It isn't about catching robbers and killers as it is shaking down peeps for tinted windows and making sure beauticians have the 'proper' licenses. There are towns all across the country that are infamous for shaking down motorists for the slightest of things, often just making them up, to provide revenue. I remember a story of a town that had only 250 residents but had a police force of 20, and had more tickets than most of their state combined. This is tyranny, and it doesn't matter the race. People rightly should be upset at the systematical targeting of citizens by police simply to feed their coffers.

I'm almost a little bit impressed that you managed to write this entire post without noting the fact that "Taxes are bad! The finger thing means the taxes!!!!!!!!" kinda plays a role in why this happens.

[bmags]

As the report laid out, race clearly has played a role. Many of you are talking about targeting out of towners. Imagine if it was your own police dept targeting you? What if instead of just an expensive ticket, often situations escalated to jailing. Do you think that would happen in your community?

[EvilMonkey]

I'm almost a little bit impressed that you managed to write this entire post without noting the fact that "Taxes are bad! The finger thing means the taxes!!!!!!!!" kinda plays a role in why this happens.

I understand the necessity of taxes, but you can only tax people so much. At some point, you have to stop spending.

[EvilMonkey]

As the report laid out, race clearly has played a role. Many of you are talking about targeting out of towners. Imagine if it was your own police dept targeting you? What if instead of just an expensive ticket, often situations escalated to jailing. Do you think that would happen in your community?

The out of towners I mentioned was just for that one town. it was maybe 8 square blocks or something just as tiny. In my neighboring Shorewood, the cops get sneaky. Set up cars on corners that appear to be broken down and have a cop hidden behind them. They aggressively pursuit even the slightest speed infraction (wife got one for 5 MPH over, kid got one for supposedly not stopping completely). It is not always out of towners. I never said race didnt' play a role, but if that town needed revenue that bad, do you think they would have NOT done it because they were white instead?

[bmags]

I agree with you. I think some transparency is needed, perhaps it has, on how much municipalities project from these types of fines. Maybe some best practices are needed for how much they should project or account for so these practices of exploitation stop.

[Jenksismyhero]

While some of it has to do with race, I think a lot more of it has to do with the victims being poor and uneducated, i.e., easy victims who won't complain and even if they do it's difficult to do anything about it.

 

Personally I think these sorts of actions should lead to changes in law making it easier to sue cops and police departments. You know the easiest way to change the behavior? Hit them in the pocket book.

[bmags]

Personally I think these sorts of actions should lead to changes in law making it easier to sue cops and police departments. You know the easiest way to change the behavior? Hit them in the pocket book.

 

I find it hard to believe this would help. I don't think they would view this as "their" pocket book. More of a "not my problem"

[Jenksismyhero]

I find it hard to believe this would help. I don't think they would view this as "their" pocket book. More of a "not my problem"

 

It'd be their problem once the Chief is on their ass. The pressure would start at the top with budgets from the city/county and it'd trickle down soon enough. At some point, if people's jobs are on the line, changes down stream will happen.

 

 

[farmteam]

There are a number of Chicago suburbs like this. Near me, the one with that rep is Northfield. Population 5k, in a very safe bedroom community. They have 19 sworn officers. To put that in perspective, that's double to triple the officers-per-population ratio of the suburbs around it, even though those other suburbs are in very well off areas with tons of money to spend (and those other suburbs also have much more in the way of large businesses, malls and major roads to cover).

Happ Rd in front of New Trier West is the biggest speed trap I know.

[caulfield12]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/12/us/ferguson-...ests/index.html

 

 

FERGUSON PART DEUX

 

Right on time for a new Cardinals' season.

Edited March 12, 2015 by caulfield12

[pettie4sox]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/12/us/ferguson-...ests/index.html

 

 

FERGUSON PART DEUX

 

Right on time for a new Cardinals' season.

 

It was only a matter of time. I fear it will escalate further.

Edited March 12, 2015 by pettie4sox

[NorthSideSox72]

That whole kinda disgusting mess of a discussion about the police shootings has been cleaned out of this thread.

 

[greg775]

Somebody pointed out during the Ferguson riots that "white people" do their rioting after sports games. Once again, living up to the stereotype, about 20 Kentucky fans have been arrested so far for rioting after the UK loss to Wisconsin.

 

People that set couches and their own shirts on fire in the streets after a sporting event really bother me. I was going to say they are scum, but I'll leave it that they bother me and I hope the judge throws the book at those who started fires and destroyed property after a f***ing basketball game.

First loss of the year and they act like spoiled hooligans.

[Jerksticks]

It'd be their problem once the Chief is on their ass. The pressure would start at the top with budgets from the city/county and it'd trickle down soon enough. At some point, if people's jobs are on the line, changes down stream will happen.

 

That's a good start. I also think that no way should PDs have nice cars. They should have all the leftover worn-out crap with a mechanic maintaining the fleet. Chargers? Tricked-out Tahoes? GMAB. They should have to beg the community for resources and we should all vote.

 

I also think it would be a nice touch if at the end of every interaction with a cop the cop would have to say "thank you for paying my salary. I gave up on all my hopes and dreams and so I'm just thankful every minute to have a job supporting the community and to not have to fight for a piece of the pie in the economy like the rest of you. If there's anything you need, like your grass mowed or your trash cans rinsed out here's my business card."

 

I know that was over the top but the biggest problem to me is the entitled "lords of the community" tough-guy attitude that surrounds cops like a stench. Easy boys, we can sign the papers any day we like to head to the academy but we all don't want a free ride. Be appreciative to your community instead of acting like you're in charge of the s*** we pay for.

[LDF]

That's a good start. I also think that no way should PDs have nice cars. They should have all the leftover worn-out crap with a mechanic maintaining the fleet. Chargers? Tricked-out Tahoes? GMAB. They should have to beg the community for resources and we should all vote.

 

I also think it would be a nice touch if at the end of every interaction with a cop the cop would have to say "thank you for paying my salary. I gave up on all my hopes and dreams and so I'm just thankful every minute to have a job supporting the community and to not have to fight for a piece of the pie in the economy like the rest of you. If there's anything you need, like your grass mowed or your trash cans rinsed out here's my business card."

 

I know that was over the top but the biggest problem to me is the entitled "lords of the community" tough-guy attitude that surrounds cops like a stench. Easy boys, we can sign the papers any day we like to head to the academy but we all don't want a free ride. Be appreciative to your community instead of acting like you're in charge of the s*** we pay for.

 

radical thinking...... i love it.

 

in my community.... those so called privilege cops eats breakfast with us, me, my cuz and 7 other apache's. we really give it to them... i still don't know why they still come to eat with us. weird.

[EvilMonkey]

Easy boys, we can sign the papers any day we like to head to the academy but we all don't want a free ride.

Really? For some cops, yeah. But you think most cops working ANY inner city beat have a 'free ride'? YOU get shot at daily just because you are trying to enforce the laws that others made. A nice car to ride around is isn't enough. The $70k, 80k and pension isn't enough. I'll be one of the first to complain that the police are over militarized, but a free ride? Perhaps you should arrange a ride along some time with an inner city cop.

[Jerksticks]

Really? For some cops, yeah. But you think most cops working ANY inner city beat have a 'free ride'? YOU get shot at daily just because you are trying to enforce the laws that others made. A nice car to ride around is isn't enough. The $70k, 80k and pension isn't enough. I'll be one of the first to complain that the police are over militarized, but a free ride? Perhaps you should arrange a ride along some time with an inner city cop.

 

I agree and see your point that inner-city policing is a super dangerous job. I think the discussion here, or at least what I was referring to though, is about suburban and village police where daily danger is hardly an issue. Those are the PDs that suck their communities dry with all their amenities and unnecessary upgrades.

 

But even with your example, it is still a free ride. Unless you think most Chicago cops become cops becuase of some inner calling to serve and protect. I call bulls***. I'd say the vast majority, maybe even 90 some percent (no way to quantify I realize) just wanted a guaranteed paycheck and the right to carry a gun and boss people around. I don't think the danger aspect discounts the free ride aspect, it's just the price you pay for your free ride. You roll the dice.

 

Poverty creates the necessity for police, but those that police should do it because of an inner-calling to serve the people. If that were the case we wouldn't all dislike them as much as we do. I mean don't you always feel like you're treated as guilty until proven innocent most of the time, just cuz he/she can?

[EvilMonkey]

Poverty creates the necessity for police, but those that police should do it because of an inner-calling to serve the people.

I have no clue who you are, but that is the single most idiotic thing I have ever read on these boards.

[LDF]

I have no clue who you are, but that is the single most idiotic thing I have ever read on these boards.

 

which part, the poverty of the inner calling.

[EvilMonkey]

which part, the poverty of the inner calling.

That they should do it because it is a good thing to do, and not a paycheck.

[StrangeSox]

I have heard that same argument made about teachers before.

[LDF]

That they should do it because it is a good thing to do, and not a paycheck.

 

in the old times, the mentality was the cops were underpaid, more stress and least appreciated until someone needs them. my brother was a cop until he died on xmas day 1999. so i come from a cop family.

 

i am divided with this, at what point does it become necessary for them to get new yrly patrol cars and suv's, the police is suppose to be about keeping the street safe, but writing moving violations and letting the drug dealers get away. i know this for a fact, some patrols will avoid the risky area, b/c they claim they don't get paid enuf to risk their lives.

 

but they sure loves driving in the new police vehicles.

[EvilMonkey]

I have heard that same argument made about teachers before.

You heard it coming from teachers, until it comes contract time.

[EvilMonkey]

i am divided with this, at what point does it become necessary for them to get new yrly patrol cars and suv's, the police is suppose to be about keeping the street safe, but writing moving violations and letting the drug dealers get away. i know this for a fact, some patrols will avoid the risky area, b/c they claim they don't get paid enuf to risk their lives.

 

but they sure loves driving in the new police vehicles.

That's a valid question, when is enough enough. But you don't want them driving beaters that break down when they are on the way to try and stop someone breaking into your house, do you? The over militarization of the police and the blatant abuses that occur with seizures in a lot of cases are very good topics to discuss. But saying that they should just go police because they WANT to? How f***ing absurd is that?

 

As for the writing moving violations and letting the dealers get away, sounds like a conservative argument there, enforce the laws you currently have.