CPD renewing focus toward community policing - FOX 32 News Chicago

CPD renewing focus toward community policing - FOX 32 News Chicago


Oxymoron? Possibly. The biggest mistake mayors and governors made, was when they caved in with the demands of police chiefs across the country on taking officers off foot patrols. Back in my time, you never saw a fat cop.

Now, they ride around or you always see a patrol car parked at a 7-11, or a Dunkin donuts. Policing was made worse when they began putting them behind desk that civilians could easily handle. Having local residents working inside police departments provide valuable insights for officers about the area they serve. Yet, for some strange reason, these civilians were dumped for indifferent police that didn't even live in the neighborhood.

Did someone have an epiphany? Decades ago under the Daley administration the son had a brain fart and decided bringing back foot patrols was the way forward. Back then, a cop knocked on the door and made the getting to know you speech. Another day passes, and you see the same officer walking down the street. Time passes and it evolved into riding bikes in teams of four. Slowly it devolved into a lone officer riding a motorcycle. Now, none. Who caused or changed the policy?

There's a police station around the corner from my home. I've never seen an officer walk there from the neighborhood. Yep, back in my time, you never saw a fat cop.