Roll 'Em!

Have a very good weekend!

A Spotlight On Private Citizen's Comment!

Yesterday, Private Citizen said...

"Who cares if "safety" is a ploy.

What's so bad about red light cameras?

They might keep people from blowing a red light which in
turn might make the streets safer.

Even if they don't do that, they'll generate revenue for the city.

I don't see the down side here".

August 27, 2008 10:47 PM

The PRU Crew says...

We care. We care because we've had a belly full of bullshit getting shoveled to the citizens. We care because we are sick of the bullshit that busy, distracted, and sometimes unthinking citizens seem willing to swallow from ploy employing bullshit artists. We care because we actually believe in concepts like "truth in advertising". We care because we have the right to demand that governments not just appear to be doing something, but actually produce results. We care because when a government tells citizens they are doing something for their safety, they better mean it and do it. We care because the consequences for failing to deliver on promises of increased safety for citizens can be very fucking serious. We care because claiming to provide a mechanism for increased safety that may actually produce some greater harm of unintended consequences can't be balanced out by any amount of increased revenue.

We care because the bullshit, cavalier, bureau-rat mindset of statements like yours, Private Citizen, are why there is so much waste in government and apathy among citizens who've grown tired of even bothering to fight the fight.

We care. That's why this blog exists.

Of Cops, Cameras, And Enforcement.

As you should know by now, the Ekl Williams report on the Park Ridge Police Department contained a rather lengthy dedication to the subject of elected officials who meddle in police enforcement matters; of course, without naming those elected officials.

Two examples of the pols interfering in enforcement issues were discussed: the zero tolerance law for underage drinking, and crossing the railroad crossing while the gates were down.

As you may recall, Aldermen James Allspaghetti (4th ward) and Don Bachtard (3rd ward) were the elected officials complaining of aggressive zero tolerance enforcement. We do not have confirmation of who complained about gate crossings.

As you may also recall, it has been Ald. Bachtard who has lead the charge to bring red light cameras to Park Ridge.

And as you may recall, we oppose red light cameras; observing that cameras cannot prevent accidents -- they can only record them. We will continue to maintain that it is the police who should be asked and then supported in the enforcement of the law.

As a glaring example of the above, we offer the below -- please dedicate a full 27 seconds to watching the video.



Just so we're all clear about the difference between what cameras can do and what officers can do.

Can I Get A Witness! (Freewheeling)

The reports have rolled in, and it sounds to us as if the meeting last night was fairly well managed. The crowd in attendance at the Planning and Zoning public hearing last night numbered around 350, with about 50 individual speakers.

We're also hearing that speakers were almost evenly divided in their feelings about restrictions on homeless shelters in town, with a very slight -- maybe by one speaker -- edge going to the white shirts in the crowd.

Among the thinking members of the audience, the Planning and Zoning Commission was asked, sometimes repeatedly, to consider the following regulations and changes in the text amendment for homeless shelters:

1. -- Insert "cold weather" before the phrase "temporary overnight shelter"; limiting operation from October through April, with days of operation not to exceed 31.

2. -- Include schools in the exclusion list of locations where shelters may operate.

3. -- Do not allow shelters in the R1, R2, and R3 zoning districts.

4. -- Change the phrase "owner or operator" to read "and" so that an operator of a shelter must apply for a special use permit and be subject to annual review and approval by the City Council.

5. -- Limit the number of shelters that can operate within any single ward.

6. -- Do not allow shelters to operate within 500 ft. of schools.

7. -- Require fingerprint background checks for all homeless shelter users.

8. -- Require a proper legal linkage agreement between a shelter operator and the city.

9. -- Require metal detectors be installed at shelter entrances; similarly, require wanding searches for shelter "guests".

10. -- Require security to be present on premesis.

11. -- Separate men from women and children within shelters.

12. -- Provide proper shower and bathing facilities within shelters.

Those seem like reasonable requests to us!

We are a little concerned by reports that most speakers were chock full of opinion but provided very little source material and "evidence" when testifying at this public hearing. Though we understand that a lot of this government procedural stuff is new to a lot of people, and there's always a learning curve to be managed.

The Planning and Zoning Commission decided to close the public hearing portion of the meeting at about 9:45 PM, then they voted to continue the rest of their meeting (their discussion) until September 8th. Should the Planning and Zoning Commission choose to reopen the public hearing on Sept. 8 or another future date, we strongly suggest to those interested in the issue to do their homework and submit "evidentiary" materials to the commission.

And finally, we are told the various preacher creatures still do not understand the United States Constitution, and what is meant by separation of church and state in the first amendment. No big surprise there.

The PRU Crew is looking forward to reading the transcripts and minutes of this meeting, and future meetings on this issue, for the entertainment value alone!

Another Chance To Stand And Be Heard!

As most of you know already, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight at Emerson Middle School, 8101 North Cumberland Avenue, Niles, IL 60714 at 7:00 pm to Consider Regulations for Temporary Overnight Shelters -pdf. We strongly encourage people to attend this meeting.

With any luck, Park Ridgians will persuade the Planning and Zoning commission to recommend real regulations and procedures for regulating homeless shelters within the borders of our town.

The PRU Crew is aware of several recommendations that will be offered by community members, but we aren't willing to steal their thunder here and now. We would like to offer a few items for consideration we feel the community should not be shy about asking for --

1. Because it is documented fact that many sex offenders use homeless shelters, we feel no homeless shelter should be allowed to operate within 500 feet of any school. The State of Illinois law says that a registered sex offender may not reside within 500 feet of any school -- such a regulation for an overnight homeless shelter would be no more stringent than what the State of Illinois demands.

2. Because it is documented fact that many "clients" of homeless shelters have addiction and mental health issues, in addition to criminal backgrounds, every overnight homeless shelter guest must be subject to having their belongings checked for contraband and their persons subject to being wand searched. These types of searches are done at other shelters.

3. Because it is documented fact that many sex offenders, other criminals, addicts, and those with mental health issues use overnight homeless shelters, we feel that any overnight homeless shelter should be required to hire their own professional on-site security.

4. Because of the nature of homeless shelters and the "clients" using such services, we feel no homeless shelter should be allowed to operate within any R (residential) zoning district.

And with that, the PRU Crew offers everyone good luck for a good meeting!

Let The Sunshine In!

Photo by: Joel Bedford, "Where Time Stands Still (Morning Glory)" - Flickr

Once again, we offer PRUdos to Alderman Dave Schmidt (1st ward) for his continued fight against the forces of darkness! Excellent letter to the editor yesterday, Alderman Dave!

Have a bright and peaceful weekend!

One Year Ago, Today -- BOOM!

Happy Birthday to us -- the PRU Crew!

We hope that, during the past year, everyone has found something of value in our blog. If not? Tough shit. We like it. As we said in our very first post --

"Leave your prissy tasseled loafers at the door - we'll loan you a pair of Doc Martens.

We are, as our header says, irreverent and unrepentant in our opinions.

If hard driving sentiment with a dash of twisted humor is not your cup of venti caffé mocha then don't let the cyber-door hit you in the ass as you exit.

And don't forget to take your prissy tasseled loafers with you!"

In a year's time, we've covered some pretty good ground; 250 posts with almost 200 tags.

We did have a good laugh when we realized the first subject we posted about was of Aldermen Allspaghetti's and Bachtard's opposition to full enforcement of the Zero Tolerance law by police in Park Ridge, and now that subject is being discussed again a year later in the Ekl report; kind of like zero tolerance bookends!

We do appreciate (most of) the folks who spend the time to read and even comment on the subjects posted here. Without your participation this whole thing would be pretty dull. We sincerely thank you.

And finally, for our faithful PRU Tech whose tastes and interests are constantly curtailed by the less rowdy sensibilities of our PRU Admin, enjoy the vid below! The rest of you may want to turn down the sound if you choose to give "BOOM" by P.O.D. a listen.