Chicago cops have to fight snow as well as bad street guys
This two-day snow experience has added more challenges for the too few Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers trying to keep the streets safe.
Not only were they fighting to get through the unplowed streets but when the City purchased the first new Chevy Tahoes for CPD, they neglected to purchase the 4-wheel option. According to City sources, that policy has been changed. But, in the mean time, they may need a lot of help from residents.
An example of that took place at Huron and Hoyne in the 12th District, as reported by Julie Sherman.
"This is Chicago so it should be no surprise that we get lots of snow. What is surprising is that for the second year in a row, this mayor was not ready for a storm. Our side streets are horrific and we will be dealing with the fallout for days. Now the snow is packed on the side streets and salt is not going to help – ask any plow driver," says 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti, who is also a Mayoral candidate.
"We need a seasoned professional running Streets and Sanitation so that we avoid this kind of situation in the future. It is unacceptable and Chicagoans should be upset." Mayor Emanuel named Charles Williams Commissioner of Streets and Sanitation in October 2012. Williams whose background with the CPD for 34 years, then Merchandise Mart Properties for four years, was in security.
According to Officer John Estrada, in CPD News Affairs, the City's Fleet Management and Facility Department (FFM) maintains CPD's station facilities including their parking lots. With vehicles in the parking lots 24/7 and the capricious swirling winds, plowing became impossible, he said.
However, a report from the 14th District, 2150 N. California, says that they didn't get plowed until Monday morning, after they put in a call. When the plow showed up, they did a once around and was going to leave until a Lieutenant insisted that they stay until they did the cleanup properly.
Attempts to reach a FFM spokesperson have gone unanswered.
One question is how much time and money are wasted when Chicago purchasing and services are done incorrectly and/or inefficiently? Perhaps more importantly, what impact are these bad decisions and inadequate services having on public and police safety?
Photo courtesy of Julie Sherman
Comments
Pot calling kettle...
The line that "they neglected
This is absolutely absurd,
a quick fact check
Thanks David for doing the
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