Above for your viewing pleasure is the highly offensive political ad placed in this week's rag by Mr. Joe Egan of police station referendum petition infamy. The ad that allegedly inspired Mayor Howard to pick up one of his phones and call Mr. Oberweis to investigate this matter.
Mr. Egan, we have no reason to believe you are not telling the truth about anything Howard Frimark has done and said. The PRU Crew knows the man far too well. The PRU Crew has watched the man for too many years. We hope you now understand the bottomless black hole you are dealing with. We hope you are taking the necessary precautions.
Acting Chief of Police Tom Swoboda is charged with investigating the allegations of the participation of on-duty, uniformed officers in this matter, and so the PRU Crew will have nothing further to say on that portion of this story.
We are thoroughly disgusted by the stupidity of all involved in this matter. You have failed to understand the long term harm you have done to your own cause for the immediate gratification of political expediency. Stupid. Asinine. Idiocy.
PRU.ADMIN
NOTE -- All comments to this post will be pre-screened exclusively by PRU.ADMIN and all comments not worded with extreme care and judged to be wholly accurate will be rejected.
January 10, 2009
A Rare Saturday PRU Post.
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41 comments:
this has really motivate me to want to sign the petition. can I still sign it?
I am very interested in hearing the opinions of the alderman on this issue. Will they continue to support the clown on the sinking ship?
PRU:
As evicenced by prior posts, I am somewhat "thick". I also am not an insider in this town so I rely on the mainstream press, the blogs and my own common sense (I know, I will need a great deal of luck).
In reading your post I am left with a questions. On the one hand you state that you have no reason to not believe that Frimark did what was alleged yesterday. Yet at the end you admonish ALL INVOLVED. I am left with the clear perception that something else was done that was a mistake related to those of us who want the police station on a referendum -something that would negatively affect our cause.
Is there anything else here or am I reading too much into your post?
Anon@3:56 --
Yes, my admonishment was for ALL in so far as stupidity is concerned and making mistakes.
However, those of you who are seeking to put the issue of a new police station referendum on the ballot do not, upon Crew digging into this issue, appear to have actually done anything wrong. Nor have you harmed your cause. You've just been stupid in your dealings -- you failed to fully recognize the type and size of the monster you are dealing with.
There is a zero chance that our tax base will increase in the near future, therefore I see no reason to build a 16 million dollar police facility to process and hold recipients of moving violations. Is it true there will be a shooting range in the new station? In case anyone gets out of hand at the 'Taste of Park Ridge" we know they will be taken down by well trained snipers. This economy does not allow for this type of spending.
If you have yet to sign the petition, please stop by and see one of our volunteers tomorrow (Sunday) on the public sidewalk in front of the library from 11:30am to 1:30pm.
We are just trying to get the issue on the ballot, for the voters to decide how our tax dollars are spent. There is nothing behind the scenes or paranoid going on from our end.
A complete and through internal investigation will be completed
by the AC Chief Tom S.
If those involved have violated any department rules and regulations - then they should be dealt with in a professional manner that we can expect from Tom.
There's no room for this type of alleged misconduct - if there was any in the first place.
Let the PRPD do its job!
and clean house - if need be.
Thank you.
To the police station petition people,
This is not the subject now, and I know you are working on the $16 million dollar question, but I wanted to ask, what amount of money would be o.k. with you? Any?
I have toured the station and it is crappy. I don't think they need a taj mahal sized new station. I am also sure that what they have now doesn't fit OUR needs for them to do their jobs FOR US.
So if it's a question of dollars then how many dollars before you would agree to spend the dollars on our police?
anonymous at 5:34-
that is just completely LAUGHABLE.
you must be new in town.
the petition is to get the issue ON THE BALLOT for the voters to approve the expense. It does not say "Yes" or "No" for a new police station.
Anonymous January 10, 2009 5:45 PM:
When you say you're sure that what the PR Police "have now doesn't fit OUR needs for them to do their jobs FOR US," can you tell us what they are supposed to be doing FOR US and OUR needs that they aren't doing because of the "crappy" polices station?
Anon at 5:45 pm-The plan is for a 30,000 sq ft police station with indoor parking, a mass arrest holding cell for 200 people, a shooting range for target practice, better locker rooms and shower facilities, a fitness center and the list goes on. Why the hell does a police station need all of these amenities? Because Niles, DP, and Glenview have all this stuff? Why do some people in the town have police station envy? Police are supposed to be patroling the streets while on duty-not always sitting in a building. And if you want to work out-go join a gym like the rest of us do.
No amount of money should be spent on a new station when the basic infrastructure of this town is falling apart. Given we have a budget deficit in this town and the ability of this town to increase its tax base has been severally impared by the new runway at ORD and the runways to come in the future (not to mention the overall state of the economy) all spending needs must prioritized-which they always should be. The streets and sewers need to be fixed and upgraded. Try to keep the school system competetive with other towns.
At this time, and probably for many years to come, a new police station is not what this town should be spending our tax dollars on.
I have lived in several cities and towns in my adult life. Park Ridge is the only place I've lived where people expect their basements to flood when we have a hard rain and think that it is normal. Why aren't the citizens demanding better sewers from their government? Isn't this a better use for our tax dollars than buying a new police station?
6:21 PM asks the pertinent question - what is not being accomplished because of the crappy police facilities? The police department brags about the certification and awards that they get every year, so the existing facility must not be preventing them from getting their jobs done.
I am all for new sewers but ya'll had better be prepared for some serious freakin' taxes.
The relief sewers that they have been putting in periodiaclly are $300,000 per block. The general response that I heard is that they all basically failed during the September storm. I would also remind anon 9:42 that cities and towns all over the north west burbs and areas in the city of Chicago experienced flooding. Some of the flooding came from design issues as well (like people who have their garages in their basements.
I am all for infrastructure imporvement - my basement flooded too! I am also AGAINST spending 16 mil on a new police station and was very happy to sign Mr. Egan's petition.
But if anyone ever gets to a true number for what it would cost to "guarantee" no basement flooding, or even have a dramatic reduction, many if not most of the people who post here would be screaming their lungs out. 16 mil. (which we do not have and should not spend on a police station) would not even put a dent in the sewer and flooding issues that we have in PR.
The police station petition will also continue to be available at New Prospects, in spite of a phone call from a "customer" advising the owner that it is inappropriate for her (the owner) to engage in politics. However, there is no proof that this call can be attributed to Howard Frimark. In fact, it would be strange if Howard was behind it, since his debutante ball was held at Morningfields. That would mean he has no problem with local merchants participating in the democratic process. So the customer probably just took it upon herself. Yeah, that's it.
I have lived in several cities and towns in my adult life. Park Ridge is the only place I've lived where people expect their basements to flood when we have a hard rain and think that it is normal.
so, chicago is not among the several cities and towns you've lived in, then?
I was at the library today and signed the petition. I hear that they called the police and made the person who was collecting the petitions leave. Is this true?
Anon@1:14 --
As we understand it, the police did not make the petition circulator leave.
I had two candidate or candidate representative sightings this weekend.
First, I want to let you know that Alderman Dave spent yesterday afternoon and well into the evening walking door to door through my neighborhood (4th Ward) talking with Park Ridge citizens and collecting signatures required for him to be on the ballot. I was pretty amazed by the effort, in heavy snow on a day off, for a 12K a year job. Hell, I was inside watching football by the fire!
Second, at approximately 3 PM today, I ran into a nicely dressed and polite young man who asked me for my signature on behalf of Mayor Frimark. He was standing in front of the Walgreens at Touhy and Cumberland.
I must say that I was a little uncomfortable with this. I mean should a business really be involved in getting something or someone on the ballot like that?????
I understand PRU does not want to post about what the police chief is now investigating, but I would like to know. Is there anyone willing to post anonymously? Will PRU allow that? I've no doubt Frimark has again done something underhanded, but I'm curious as to what it was. I'd also like PRU to post what they expected Joe Egan to do that he didn't do.
Anon@3:53 --
In answer to your questions --
1. -- I will not allow the allegations against our police officers to be published anonymously. I believe it is in everyone's interests to have patience and allow the Acting Chief of Police to do his job.
2. -- Your curiosity about the allegations of Mayor Howard's conduct can be satisfied by contacting the people involved.
3. -- We expected Joe Egan to be more cautious in his dealings with Mayor Howard. We understand there is virtually no written documentation in these matters -- only verbal recollections and accounts, post fact. Very regretable.
I migth understand something like a shooting range but a garage?
They survied 47 years there without it, why must they have 1 now?
An exercise room?
Please!
It was me. I was on the SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE LIBRARY. Not IN the library. I was very very polite to all I approached.
I was asked to leave by a library staff member who said he phoned the police and was told I did not have the OK to be on "library property" without prior approval from the library.
When I asked why, as it is PUBLIC space, he said he would have a squad car come over and remove me.
I phoned the library (while standing across the street on a public sidewalk), spoke with someone, was put on hold, then disconnected.
What a pathetic state of paranoia that has taken over this town. Perhaps "Mr. Potter" Frimark will spin this one too...
Will there be any other chances to sign the police station petition? I just saw what I missed while out of town! I think I know some people who were unaware too.
Anonymous 6:21,
Give me your address and I'll have one to you in 10 minutes.
I was out of town and came home to a full email box. My god! I can't believe this!
I will be signing this petition the first chance I get!
Frimark you are a classless goon!
While you're at it you may want to get someone into the next planning and zoning meeting or at least to one of the public meetings that is scheduled. They are attempting to put a combo Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins two doors down from the Oberwies on NW Highway (I think it is 19 S. NW Highway) where the old lighting store has been gone for several years. Word is that they are looking for a DRIVE-THRU that would allow cars to come through the parking lot and out onto NY highway, presumably from the entrances on Washington or farther down NY Highway. If you though the bank drive through was a bad idea over on Washington then this will really get your blood boiling. With all of the pedestrian traffic on NW Highway including all of the kids coming out of St. Paul and walking to and from uptown all day this has the feel of a really REALLY dangerous idea. Come out to the hearing (a sign is posted in front of the property on NW Highway) and let's see just what is planned.
i was at the library this morning. my wife and i both signed the petition, and the woman collecting signatures (was it you, anony-mouse) did indeed tell us that she was told to leave by library staff who threatened to call the police.
this is a sad state of affairs.
Two comments:
First I would like to ask the Mayor and/or library staff and/or police what the difference is between asking for signatures in front of the library versus the Mayor having someone ask for signatures in front of Walgreens. I was not at all offended when I was asked to sign for Howard this afternoon but how about a little consistency!! For these two cases of requesting signatures to occur on the same day makes it very clear that it is not where the events occured but rather what it is you are signing for. Apparently it is OK if you want to sign for Howard but not OK if you want to sign to have a referndum on the police station.
Second, I am not a traffic flow expert but I find it hard to believe that a drive through in that location would present a dramatic change in traffic flow or a dramatic change in safty risk (ones man's opinion). The number of cars already exiting in and out of that lot is huge so I do not think the extra traffic will change things that much. Mu concern centers around parking. What I cannot figure out is how they will put in a drive through at that location without killing all of those parking spaces along the old lighting store. Don't we already have capacity issues related to Parking in Uptown??
The differenece between getting signatures for Frimark in front of Walgreens and getting signatures for the police peitiion is fear. Frimark is SO AFRAID of the actual people he represents that he falls to his bullying tactics to stop them.
Instead of standing up and speaking for what he allegedly represents, he acts like a child on a playground.
To quote the great Frimark himself from a city council meeting last year: BE A MAN. Be a man, Howie. Stop being such a coward.
"Evil prevails when good men do nothing."--Edmund Burke, Irish philospher
Thank you for allowing me to add that I don't believe a new police station needs the lock up space for 200 people!
Anytime a mass arrest takes place - the CC Sheriff must be notified
and they usually assist with their war wagon.
As for a workout room/equipment - that's great but not for a 12 hour shift team. Currently the patrol division here works 12 hours now.
Very shortly you will have bunks
and serving hot meals.
Let's scale it down folks!
There nothing wrong with a min
spaced station.
Oh - I do agree that a drive in
capability with a prisoner that is very combative - should be included.
Officer safety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you and good luck AC Tom S.
with your interview.
Is the petition still at New Prospects? I can be there tonight to sign.
I suspect there will be petition gatherers at the Public Works Center tonight, because ironically the issue of a police facility is on the agenda of the very first City Council Committee of the Whole meeting, and many are expected to attend and voice their displeasure.
UPDATE ON THE DUNKIN DONUTS PLAN:
They are not seeking a drive-thru at this time according to the application. They are seeking to increases signage though, and that is why the meeting is being held.
It is on the agenda for the Jan 22 zoning board of appeals meeting which is still on.
I don't know what cops did what heinous crime by putting up some posters, but I do think they've needed a new station for a decade or more. I believe they teach the new police recruits at the academy how to shoot, arrest offenders, fight with unruly subjects, and a handful of other seemingly unused (in Park Ridge) skills. Those skills need to be kept current - even in sleepy little Park Ridge. When the lawsuits come rolling in and the taxpayers have to foot the bill because the cops haven't shot a gun in over a year and they just nailed little Geoffrey who was hiding behind the tree watching the action - or when Buffy and her 3 closest BFF's get arrested and there's no place to put them except in the drunk tank or the men's lock-up and their parent sue the department for the emotional trauma their babies went through at the Vine Ave Hotel, then we'll pay the price. If anyone has not been in the Police Station lately, stop in - it makes the old Gale Street look fabulous... They need facilities to keep up with technology, to keep their skills sharp and to keep up with community standards so this litigious society doesn't bankrupt the coffers.
Take a tour of the police station - it is prisoner litigation waiting to happen. It is nowhere up to contemporary standards.
Perhaps, rather than being in defensive mode beacuse of allegations against officers, the new Chief could host an open house and invite the community in for tours. Let the community decide.
One brain damaged arrestee and the money spent on the litigation compared to a police station will seem like chickenfeed. Build a new lockup before one of the judges in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District makes you.
And, contrary to the prior comment on the "SHeriff's War Wagon," they would still have to be processed by PRPD on PR arrests. Cook County Jail Receiving only accepts prisoners after they are booked by a local department. Depending on when you arrest them, they get transported to 26th and Cal by the arresting agency.
Of course the station can be scaled down -
eliminate the garage and some of the other gold-plated items. But some things are good ideas: a contemporary range allows them to re-qualify in situations approaching real world scenarios, based upon a military training model - flashing lights, loud noise, multiple aggressors, appropriate cover, sensory overload, etc - the good ones, like Chicago Academy, shoot back with stinging air guns. (It makes you find good cover really fast)
It also allows them to re-qualify with nonlethal, siderarm, backup, shotgun and that cute little MP 5 machine gun that is in every squad. (Yes folks, PR cops have machine guns in the rack)
Like prisoner litigation and car chases gone bad, one questionable shooting and the added cost of the range is chickenfeed. (and in use of force litigation, the training and re-qualification protocol is, in effect, put on trial)
One of the inquiries should be into how often officers are required to qualify on their weapons. It is usually annually. If they want a range, make them use it more often. Semi-annual qualification.
If they want a gym, require a certain level of fitness from officers. Honestly though, with 12 on 12 off, who is ever gonna use it?
On the official misconduct/violation of General Orders issue - perhaps folks should
give the new Chief a chance to investigate. IF it really is messed up with politics or illegality, he can always call in the ISP. Further, the new states attorney came from the Public Integrity Unit of the Cook County State's Attorney. Call that Unit and complain if the investigation is not thorough. If it really egregious, call the United States Attorney and the FBI.
But first, give the guy a chance to investigate. If it is a politically motivated coverup, start making calls to Anita Alvarez and Mr. Fitzgerald.
THe Cadillac of police stations is not needed - a Chevrolet will be just fine. I bet even Chicago builds its new "state of the art" stations for less money. They are very, very nice.
Go to the Police and Fire Commission meetings. Learn about who is responsible for Public Safety in PR.
They are not well publicized meetings but are, of course, open to the public - except for certain personnel issues exempted under the Open Meetings Act.
The meetings deal with hiring, promotion and discipline. Discipline hearings are rare because the officers have a legal right to pursue a P and F hearing or an arbitration under the labor contract. But go. Be seen. Be heard.
If the Mayor is such a Blag wannabe, has anybody considered legal action, such as
1) a civil RICO action - sounds like there are "predicate acts"
2) a Section 1983 action for illegal acts done "under color of law"(his legal fees would probably not be covered)
3) a complaint to the State's Attorney for violating the Open Meetings Act - does not take much to violate that
4) a complaint to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. He is an insurance agent is he not? If he is involved in illegal conduct, it might be violative of the pertinent state regulation for his industry. It would also take a long time for him to answer - and keep him out of City Hall.
There are enough attorneys in this town. Start typing.
Can you express yourself without this sleeply little PR crap?
Plus there's no hotel on Vine Ave.
Oh, Mike. Perhaps no Hyatt, but definitely a Motel 6 at 200 Vine.
Anonymous January 13, 2009 1:55 AM:
What's your star number?
I have taken a tour of the police station. "Prisoner litigation waiting to happen"? In a pig's eye!
That's been Allegretti's song and dance for the past few years, and the closest we've come to it is when some bonehead copper screws up, for reasons unrelated to the size or condition of the cop shop.
The scare tactics about some federal judge putting the hammer down is also a load of crap. Hasn't happened and isn't going to, because the conditions in the PR lockup aren't even close to civil rights violations.
Having a gun range on site is a waste of space unless you guys are going to play cops and robbers a couple of times a week, which ain't gonna happen.
As far as leadership, Tom S is a nice guy who goes along to get along. Plus, he's a short-timer with his eyes fixed on the exit sign. And politics gives him a loose stool, so he's not going to find anything on his investigation of political cops.
The current cop shop has been allowed to go into the crapper because the cops and the politicians have been banking on getting a new one. If you don't like your working conditions, go to Niles or Glenview.
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