WTF Is Going on in Chcago?

[+Dave 2,322]

Have you all seen the news and the gun violence in the city in the last month?

[firehawkordy 34]

Have you all seen the news and the gun violence in the city in the last month?

 

This is different from the normal gun violence how? This is Chi-town, land of Capone and corruption.

[+Dave 2,322]

This is different from the normal gun violence how? This is Chi-town, land of Capone and corruption.

 

 

True but it has been the worse for some reason this year.

[+Tailspin 3]

Hmmm....I could get a good Conspiracy Theory going about that. The premise? The Left Wing Socialists in Chicago (and their comrades in the media) will stop at nothing to promote their agenda.

[super61 0]

The capone angle is so passe (similar to the goat hex on the Cubs). They are attributing the rise in violence to the good weather we've had the past few days. Since people have pretty much been locked indoors the last 6 months, I guess there is a need to go wilding.

 

It's a shame, because a lot of these victims were aged 15-25. Senseless.

[JediMaster 451]

I can't believe "good weather" is now considered a plausible reason for an escalation of violence!

[+Tailspin 3]

Thats actually probably the reason. Nice weather = more thugs and gang-bangers on the streets. I may be a little callous but I don't feel too sorry for most of those "victims". The vast majority are gang-bangers killing gang-bangers. Unfortunately the powers that be would rather try and pass "feel good" laws that are already proven ineffective instead of attacking the problem at the source...the criminals themselves.

[SayethWhaaaa 245]

I can't believe "good weather" is now considered a plausible reason for an escalation of violence!

 

Are you seriously telling me you'd rather go out and pop a cap in someone's ass when it's howling out?? That's just man...

[+Dave 2,322]

Thats actually probably the reason. Nice weather = more thugs and gang-bangers on the streets. I may be a little callous but I don't feel too sorry for most of those "victims". The vast majority are gang-bangers killing gang-bangers. Unfortunately the powers that be would rather try and pass "feel good" laws that are already proven ineffective instead of attacking the problem at the source...the criminals themselves.

 

But on the news last night they listed about 19 of the dead (who were school age children) and most of them were caught in the crossfire of gang shooting it out. Gang bangers want to whack each other fine, but they are killing kids in the cross fire.

[+Tailspin 3]

No doubt there are some truly innocent bystanders. However, the gang-bangers will put a 12 year old on the corner hustling drugs and looking out for the law and others encroaching on their turf. Just because some victims are listed in the news as "school aged children" doesn't automatically make them innocent bystanders.

[+Dave 2,322]

No doubt there are some truly innocent bystanders. However, the gang-bangers will put a 12 year old on the corner hustling drugs and looking out for the law and others encroaching on their turf. Just because some victims are listed in the news as "school aged children" doesn't automatically make them innocent bystanders.

 

Well that is the problem with society today, because most of them are poor and black, people assume they are gang bangers. People wonder why we still have racial barriers in this country. Because society thinks just that. (not saying you do TS)

[Caveman 1]

we had this happen here in denver bout 10 years ago they called it the sumer of violence...and yes even back then they said it was partaly from the good weather...can't remeber if it was a cold winter or not... but i know how ya feel m8 and i'm sorry.....but the bossman above my post is correct in that it is a problem with society......

[Delta6Actual 0]

The weather thing is kinda true. This past winter was the worst we've had in I don't know how many years. It either snowed or was below zero for months. Nationwide, crime rates are effected by the weather. The hotter it is, the more crime you have. The real problem here is that there is something wrong with the attitudes of people and with society in general. We have always had guns around. Its just that nowadays, if someone looks at you funny, you kill him. I'm a correctional officer at Cook County Jail. I see these idiots come in every day. The problem is, they just don't give a F#$% about anything. They really don't. Kill someone; who cares. Kill the wrong person; who cares. They'll laugh about it. Get locked up; who cares. I have actually seen inmates come back from court after getting sentenced to natural life, sit down in the dayroom and play cards like nothing happened. They just don't give a S#%&. Where is society going wrong in this world when an 18 year old can find out he's gonna die in prison, and not give a damn?

[+NeverEnough 78]

"Where is society going wrong in this world when an 18 year old can find out he's gonna die in prison, and not give a damn?"

 

So is their attitude any different when they have been sentenced to die by lethal injection? Does the threat of the death penalty have any real deterrent value on the predators?

 

Think of the total cost to house, feed, and provide medical care to individuals for the rest of their natural lives.

[Delta6Actual 0]

"Where is society going wrong in this world when an 18 year old can find out he's gonna die in prison, and not give a damn?"

 

So is their attitude any different when they have been sentenced to die by lethal injection? Does the threat of the death penalty have any real deterrent value on the predators?

 

Think of the total cost to house, feed, and provide medical care to individuals for the rest of their natural lives.

 

There is currently a moratorium on the death penalty in Illinois. I have not been around long enough to see anyone sentenced to death. However, some inmates, when talking about there cases, state that they would rather get the death penalty, because, they think they will have more access to legal help to fight their case. It goes back to my point, they don't care. They don't care if they live or die. It's not every single one, but the vast majority...

[+Tailspin 3]

Well that is the problem with society today, because most of them are poor and black, people assume they are gang bangers. People wonder why we still have racial barriers in this country. Because society thinks just that. (not saying you do TS)

 

I don't consider race a factor. There are white gangs. The Hispanic gangs are likely greater in numbers than any others. A gang-banger is a gang-banger. The point I was trying to make is raw numbers don't always tell the whole story. You know, there are Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics.

[+Tailspin 3]

The weather thing is kinda true. This past winter was the worst we've had in I don't know how many years. It either snowed or was below zero for months. Nationwide, crime rates are effected by the weather. The hotter it is, the more crime you have. The real problem here is that there is something wrong with the attitudes of people and with society in general. We have always had guns around. Its just that nowadays, if someone looks at you funny, you kill him. I'm a correctional officer at Cook County Jail. I see these idiots come in every day. The problem is, they just don't give a F#$% about anything. They really don't. Kill someone; who cares. Kill the wrong person; who cares. They'll laugh about it. Get locked up; who cares. I have actually seen inmates come back from court after getting sentenced to natural life, sit down in the dayroom and play cards like nothing happened. They just don't give a S#%&. Where is society going wrong in this world when an 18 year old can find out he's gonna die in prison, and not give a damn?

 

I retired in 05 after nearly 26 years working for the IDOC. I've talked with some pretty hardcore gangsters...from original Blackstone Rangers to the average street thug. One thing the old timers always said was that the youngsters of today are just plain crazy...even by their standards.

[Bravo2009 2]

True but it has been the worse for some reason this year.

 

it's not just Chicago, it's getting worse everywhere. I'm a cop in Tucson, AZ and it's getting out of hand down here, the # of homicides here is well past the rate it was last year. Many factors go in to it, mainly that there aren't enough cops anywhere, and the baddies know this.

[Stwa 18]

I was born and raised mainly in South Texas, but I spent a winter in St. Louis on a software contract back in the 70's. :yes:

 

I noticed as the winter drug on and on the "ordinary people" in the office were becoming more and more agitated. I remember two people in particular who began answering their phones with some choice explatives and they began drinking excessive amounts of coffee. Eventaully I checked my office door for a lock, and was happy to find there was one.

[serverandenforcer 33]

Right now, they're pushing for a gang exclusion zone in my neighborhood. Bascially, anybody who is caught out in the public who is a member of a gang, participating in a gang activity, is known to be associtated with people in a gang, or has the appearance of being a gang member is subject to be searched by the police. I think it's a good idea. Their are folks that are pressing the issue that it's a civil right's violation. I really don't see it as a violation. Since their behavior and presence presents a significantly clear and present danger to the local community, the issue of civil rights becomes mute.

[ONETINSOLDIER 2]

Since their behavior and presence presents a significantly clear and present danger to the local community, the issue of civil rights becomes mute.

(here I go , playing the devils advocate again)

WHOA!!! BACK THE TRUCK UP!!!!! The issue of civil rights becomes mute?(or moot, or w/e)

That totally smacks of "police state mentality" The LAPD tried this in the crash program in dealing with the 18th street gang and it was eventually ruled as being unconstitutional and the CRASH program was shut down.

Dont get me wrong, Im no gang banger and in no way condone their activities, im just an old long haired hippie wannabe, but my point is, the issue of civil rights NEVER becomes a moot point, not in my america it dont. He||, for all I care, you can wear pink paisley and be a member of the local goat plookers, thats one thing. Just dont let me catch you plookin any goats, cos THEN you will be busted!

((LOL, I love the word "plookin")(credit goes to Frank Zappa for that one))

I guess that all boils down to "the right to assemble"

And to all the police officers here in the forums, hey, I respect the fact that its your job, and someones got to do it, but we are not all dirtbags until proven otherwise, which seems to be the mentality of my local police force, and most likely many others. Case in point, I myself have been stopped and searched by the same officer 3 days in a row while walking home from a friends house which is less than 100 yards away. Cops excuse was,,"Err, uhm, well,,we've had a lot of burglaries in the area, and Im just checking people out."

Well, thats all well and nice, Mr rookie officer whos half my age, but these are MY STOMPIN GROUNDS, AND I AM THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH,and there havent been any burglaries, and if there was, theyd be answering to me if I catch them before the law does.

Now, all three times, I consented to the search, even though by the mere fact that HE ASKED if he could search me tells me he doesnt have the right or reasonable cause to, and all three times I had weed in my pocket, and all three times he gave me back my weed and sent me on my way.

Quote from officer, "We dont care about weed, we would rather people stay home and get stoned."

And I told him,"I know what your lookin for, and sorry, your not gonna find it on me."

I dont know, maybe Im rambling now,but when Im walking down the street, does the cop look at me and see a long haired dirtbag, or does he see the guy that actually helped a cop once that was on the ground wrestling this guy that was trying to take his sidearm. He made eye contact with me, and all I saw was "I need help." I did what had to be done,,,

OK, I will stop before I go too much farther off topic,,,,

[herman01 0]

The police state stuff is in gwar. The only amendment that seems to matter to people right now is the 2nd.

Edited April 27, 2008 by herman01

[serverandenforcer 33]

Perhaps I used the wrong choice of words. It was just a reaction to the stuff that I've seen in my community in the past 28 years. I would love to get further into this subject, but this is not the place for a political debate.

[ONETINSOLDIER 2]

i agree completely, but I do understand where yer comin from,,its nuckin futz out there!

Edited April 28, 2008 by gwar