"We believe something else has to happen. All sides—the retailers, Chicago police, Lightfoot’s team, Foxx’s team—need to confab and brainstorm an overarching game plan that reinforces Chicagoans’ faith in coming downtown. Nothing in that plan should take away from resources and energy devoted to any other part of the city...Whatever shape that plan takes, it must be carried out with a sense of urgency."
Downtown business community needs to realize that this “something” has already been done, and that is conscious executive decision, both by Chicago City Hall and Cook County senior officials, that “crime will be made equitable”. That furtive decision is not publically-disclosed, but obvious in every crime-related and social services-related policy decision made.
Translation: downtown and near-north areas, north-side’s “Green Zone” areas, and white people in general, would and should experience same amount of crime, retail theft, and car-jackings prevalent in POC areas of south and west-sides. It’s the ultimate cynical political strategy.
That “something” you so eloquently describe is a self fulfilling prophecy. As the crime continues to increase, people with money to spend realize that the loop is dangerously unsafe at any time of the day or night. Their response to the increased crime is to avoid the Loop “Kill Zone” that is developing due to the inaction of the person who is masquerading as a mayor and her fellow traveller, Kimmie. The people with enough money have the means to go elsewhere. For me, I will never enter chicago again. For those of us in the suburbs going to the… Read more »
The Paraclete
4 years ago
The Chicago Tribune and Sun Times are jokes on the citizens. Bravely imploring the city to do something so the paper can stand on the sideline taking potshots at everyone. The papers are just another element of the city’s propaganda machine. Bad news, hide it for the boss! The Democrats are so clumsy. They feverishly attempt to hide what is in plain view of everyone. The media is as guilty as Lori in the destruction of the city.
“There’s no single solution—most likely the best approach combines retailers beefing up security with an increased CPD presence downtown, along with tougher punishment for smash-and-grab cases.”
Uh, how about making it *very* very clear that there is no acceptable amount of criminal element allowed downtown, ACLU be danged? Arrested them, throw away the key. It’s a blunt solution but works great. Civilization has been doing it for tens of thousands of years,
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
Downtown business community needs to realize that this “something” has already been done, and that is conscious executive decision, both by Chicago City Hall and Cook County senior officials, that “crime will be made equitable”. That furtive decision is not publically-disclosed, but obvious in every crime-related and social services-related policy decision made.
Translation: downtown and near-north areas, north-side’s “Green Zone” areas, and white people in general, would and should experience same amount of crime, retail theft, and car-jackings prevalent in POC areas of south and west-sides. It’s the ultimate cynical political strategy.
That “something” you so eloquently describe is a self fulfilling prophecy. As the crime continues to increase, people with money to spend realize that the loop is dangerously unsafe at any time of the day or night. Their response to the increased crime is to avoid the Loop “Kill Zone” that is developing due to the inaction of the person who is masquerading as a mayor and her fellow traveller, Kimmie. The people with enough money have the means to go elsewhere. For me, I will never enter chicago again. For those of us in the suburbs going to the… Read more »
The Chicago Tribune and Sun Times are jokes on the citizens. Bravely imploring the city to do something so the paper can stand on the sideline taking potshots at everyone. The papers are just another element of the city’s propaganda machine. Bad news, hide it for the boss! The Democrats are so clumsy. They feverishly attempt to hide what is in plain view of everyone. The media is as guilty as Lori in the destruction of the city.
And what an utterly worthless editorial this was. “Something has to be done,” it basically says.
“There’s no single solution—most likely the best approach combines retailers beefing up security with an increased CPD presence downtown, along with tougher punishment for smash-and-grab cases.”
Uh, how about making it *very* very clear that there is no acceptable amount of criminal element allowed downtown, ACLU be danged? Arrested them, throw away the key. It’s a blunt solution but works great. Civilization has been doing it for tens of thousands of years,
Build more jails, keep them full! Near capacity? Build more jails.