Our city is on pace to break the current murder record. We have seen a recent escalation in carjackings, and just recently an innocent bystander was shot in broad daylight at 38th and Meridian streets.
This trend, as well as the recent violent attacks against elderly citizens in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood, is why I am calling on Mayor Peterson to reinstate the former North District police station at 42nd Street and College Avenue. It is increasingly evident that the loss of this station has had a negative impact on public safety in Butler-Tarkington, Meridian-Kessler and surrounding neighborhoods.
While the police are doing the best they can to be proactive, the mayor's actions are counterproductive to those efforts, and criminals are becoming more and more brazen. The right thing to do, the smart thing to do, is to put this site back in operation so that this area has the protection it enjoyed before the mayor's public safety merger.
I travel that street so rarely that I hadn't even noticed the police station at 42nd and College had been closed. I know I was very happy with the rapid police response I received about 15 years ago when I was the victim of a hit-and-run at 32nd and Central. My car was pushed up on a sidewalk and struck a pedestrian, causing her injury. When I got out of my car, a group of teen-aged thugs began beating me as if the accident was my fault. If the police hadn't arrived so quickly, I might have been more seriously injured or even killed. Police were also quick to capture the driver of the hit-and-run car.
19 comments:
Somebody at GOP HQ is thinking smart.
This is a great idea. Reopening that station won't make a damned bit of difference, but when you're far behind, with no money, this is the kind of earned media that makes cash-flush opponents cringe.
Whatever side of the fence you're on, seeing smart politics, that isn't hateful, is refreshing.
Where does Ballard stand ideologically? Is he a Giuliani supporter or a Romney man (or Ron Paul)? Is he all worked up about the dangers of IslamoFascism on East 10th Street? How does he feel about all the new Hispanic immigrants in Indianapolis? Would he hire openly gay citizens in his Administration? Does he believe in government-enforced pregnancies?
Many, many questions...
"Many, many questions... "
None of which you have the slightest bit of interest in having answered by Ballard, Wilson.
It's not like you'd vote for him or any other Republican. Save your faux interest and put it with the faux anger you gibber about ala Ed Treacy-style.
Another anonymous nobody weighs in with silly personal snark about a commenter. Let's keep the discussion to politics and leave your little vendettas out on the street.
I am genuinely curious about where this Ballard candidate stands about politics. Is he an Eric Miller fan? After the Bob Parker anti-Semitism fiasco, he may not wish to discuss the MidEast but what does Ballard believe besides being against crime?
"Another anonymous nobody weighs in with silly personal snark about a commenter. Let's keep the discussion to politics and leave your little vendettas out on the street."
Let's dissect this tripe, shall we?
It's pretty obvious that you live on these blogs, Wilson. You boast about your years-long involvement in politics. Although you've never ran for office, you attempt to position yourself as 'Mr. Insider..the Man with the Plan' etc. Sorry to disappoint you, but expect to be challenged or disagreed with from time to time. You cant have it both ways, living and breathing politics and then try and sneak your way around of a political comment from someone who thinks your particular version of politics is eerily familiar with what I vomited up in a bar in West Lafayette back in the 70's.
Besides, the original point still stands. You care about as much for Ballard's politics as I do for Hillarys, which is to say, none whatsoever.
The GOP used to be the proud party of personal responsibility - nowadays it has degenerated to cowardly and craven anonymous lies and slanders from people too ashamed to use their own identity. The same reason the Klan wore hoods: to avoid public responsibility for dastardly deeds and awful words!
Back to the topic though - are local Republicans and voters willing to buy this pig-in-a-poke of a candidate? Bob Parker looked great until he started talking - what does Ballard stand for?
Well that didnt take long for Wilson to equate the Republicans with the Klan.
Shameful!
The rise in crime really has no correlation to the station closing. When cops respond to a call, they're not coming from the station, so the station might as well be in China. Police response times have risen because the merger has them spread too thin.
And another thing I forgot, calling on Paterson to reopen the station makes a nice soundbyte, but the mayor has nothing to do with the police department. That call should be addressed to the Sheriff.
but it makes perfect political sense.. and how stupid was it for the mayor to allow control of the police to slip from his fingers. Let's get real Wilson, Ballard make a good strike. Although since it fell into the inside of the paper, it won't have a bit of traction.
It wasn't stupid at all for Peterson to give up the police department. Now he can wash his hands of responsibility. The council proposed giving it back to him and he said he didn't want it.
Although he has tried, Peterson cannot abrogate himself of the responsibility of leadership, particularly with public safety. Funny how he tried, yet posits himself as THE Public safety mayor-give me a break. He cant have it both ways, although like most Democrats, he'd like to. Very similar to his photo op of sidewalk repairs; taking a Republican (Major Moves) sucess and claiming it as his own.
By the way, Peterson, Gray and Anderson ARE in charge of the Metro PD via the Transitional Authority. Now there's a team to inspire confidence- A DINO, a thief, and a senile old man.
Won't help much when there are no police at the station anyway. Have any of you listened to the police radios this May?? "Any 2 cars available?" "Car to assist, car to assist?". Cars are now routinely crossing districts to help out when the other is out of cars and last week 2 districts were out of cars at the same time. They are now asking officers to work call back overtime to support shifts who dont have enough officers to meet minimum requirements.
None of which you have the slightest bit of interest in having answered by Ballard, Wilson.
It's not like you'd vote for him or any other Republican. Save your faux interest and put it with the faux anger you gibber about ala Ed Treacy-style.
That may be true about Wilson, but the rest of us would be interested to know the answers to his question. Unfortunately, it appears that even R's don't know what Ballard stands for... only that he isn't Peterson.
Peter hits it out of the park...
"Another anonymous nobody weighs in with silly personal snark about a commenter. Let's keep the discussion to politics and leave your little vendettas out on the street."
Wilson the previous commenter was right. You have no interest in voting for Ballard.
Ballard isn’t required or obligated to explain his future hiring positions to you.
You are happily retired from the county workforce, remember? Your only interest is to twist and contort any response that may come from this candidate.
Labor laws are in place to protect ALL job seekers.
As A former US Marine I’m sure he will uphold those laws.
You need to take your own advice...
“and leave your little vendettas out on the street."
"Well that didnt take long for Wilson to equate the Republicans with the Klan.
Shameful!"
Wilson should study US History. The Klan was started and supported by Democrats.
"Unfortunately, it appears that even R's don't know what Ballard stands for... only that he isn't Peterson."
That's good enough for me.
The old political addage is: you can't beat someone with no one.
Ballard is trying to define himself by trashing the incumbent.
An incumbent with almost $3 mil in the bank, and a decent (not GREAT, but decent) record.
I do want to know how Ballard stands on a multitude of issues. It is important. But I give him and his campaign credit for getting a modicum of free media on this idea, however non-issue it is.
The incumbent will be a better mayor and candidate if he's seriously challenged. It's human nature.
Score one for the GOP on this media hit. Now, he needs one or two a week until November. Try though you might, I doubt there are enough people that upset with that many things to make this mining profitable. But it is good politics.
IF it's accompanied by his complete platform. We're waiting.
And pay no attention to Wilson. No one else does.
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