Looks like the Guardian Angels are coming to Davenport to assess our crime problem. Sometime in March we can expect to see them. While I can't figure out why so many people are against this group; who only come to see if there is a problem, and if there is to set up a local group. Here's a link to see what they've been doing for another Iowa city, and what the residents think of the
Guardian Angels.
While I admit I have no experience working with these people, they've been doing what they do for 27 years. To go to their website and learn more go to The Alliance of Guardian Angels website.
I'd like to thank Alderman Lynn, and whoever else is involved in taking a step towards getting the crime down. Will it work? Can we get enough volunteers? Will there be an uproar because the Guardian Angels are coming? I really think it would help, I don't know about volunteers, and I'd almost bet there will be an uproar. Loudest will be Chief Bladel because then he will have to admit that the crime is out of hand. I don't care who they're shooting, stabbing, or bonking with beer bottles; it's time to take our city back. Comment are more than welcome.
15 comments:
Don't you think that the GA could be part of the problem and not the answer? Who in their right mind would stand and let the thugs take a pop shot at them? The only thing that comes to mind when hearing that the GS's are coming to town is that Davenport has gotten so bad that a loose cannon alderman is look elsewhere for an answer and not putting effort into his own city resorces.
I believe the Guardian Angels will be part of answer to our crime problem. These will be local volunteers, who will get training before doing anything. Since the police don't think there's a problem, and our judicial system just keeps piling on probation, we need something. And they might just come and say we're not bad enough to need their help. I'm saying it's a start. And I like their approach to 'at risk' kids. This is covered in the first link of the post. The program they've had in Keokuk since 2003 for these kids seems to be working.
Go ahead, be my guest! Be a local Guardian Angel. This is not the answer. Yes, it will cause problems. If it goes through, we'll plant one of these local heroes before the year is over.
I think the GA group sounds like a good idea. Maybe this is the type of response that will help solve the violence problem. It sure beats hiding your heads in the sand and pretending their is no problem. Take control of the neighborhoods before they get too far out of control.
Sorry to burst your bubble Cruiser, but the first thing you need are volunteers and things have gotten a bit too bad for that. I, for one, will not let family and friends risk their life over the civil and domestic problems that happen here. These problems are much more deeply rooted and the first thing to rid this city of crime is toughen up the rental codes so that the slumlords are dfiscouraged to rent to Chicago transient tenants. Bad rental properties are the root to all the problems we have today and until the people agree to go to the root of the problem, it will exist. Lets not put a bandaid on crime problems, let get rid of it.
I know quite a few police officers and I will tell you that there isn't a one of them that "doesn't care". Its part of the job and thats why they're there in the first place, because they care. Its the legal system that is keeping local cities from doing a better job. PERIOD!
When I started posting about our crime here most comments were;'It's not that bad here.' Now people are going to get killed for trying to help us? Time will tell.
As I said, I'm for the Angels coming. As for volunteers, I don't know. I would volunteer in a heartbeat, but would not be accepted. Getting the volunteers will probably be the hard part. And as for the Police, I agree joe american, that the Police staff are good caring people. The only member of the department I've said anything negative about is Bladel. But as someone who has dealt with them as a victim, some push you to take the easy way out. Maybe it's because of the way the judicial system is, or lack of prison space. But if enough of these people are out and about on any given day, it would send a message to the bangers that we don't want to put up with their crap anymore. So unless someone comes up with a viable alternative, let's talk to the Guardian Angels.
I agree poster - don't give them a place to live and they will pass on by. Cut the low incomehouseing crap too, we have enough leaches who take adn don't give.
Don't say that "the police don't think there's a problem," Cruiser.
The guys out there in the warzone every night know there's a problem. "The police" is a bit too general.
christopher,
You're right, when I said police, I meant Chief Bladel. I know the average policeman or woman does care. I've seen it many times. I guess my main point is since we have to put up with more and more low income complexes; why not try other things? The city isn't going to shut down the Goose Creeks, Castlewoods, and other big complexes because there's too much government money involved. As I have said, I don't have an answer; but who else is willing to step up and try to help? The government knows the probation system doesn't work, but won't fix it. The judges blame the lack of prisons. What else would work that is doable?
Can I suggest taking some time and taking a 4 hour ride with the Nets Officers. This will open your eyes and also give you insight of what can be done to assist the Davenport Police Department with the ongoing battle with crime. All the answers are with this special group of officers, we just need to support them and give them the tools they need to succeed.
We need Community Policing as our philosophy city wide and that is the answer to our crime (and blight) problem.
I agree to the crime statement but I believe the fire department needs additional inspectors to be able to address the blight. I don't think the police need to get directly involved with trash and the enforcement repairs of bad properties. Well, maybe only to the point of reporting problems. Lets keep them on the streets and out of the appeals hearings.
Good points. I don't mean to sound like I don't appreciate what the Police are doing. I do. I believe that we need people to get involved. And I also think the Fire department shouldn't be doing inspections. It should be a separate department like it was before. If I had an extra 4 hours at any given time, I'd like to ride along. I know what's going on in my neighborhood but rely on the news media for the rest of town.
I think the DFD philosophy is good and they will be strict, but we needother staff under them for the inspections. I doubt Chief Freese will put up with any guff from anyone.
I will be interesting to see what staff member is next on the choppping block for the QCRPA. Do you think they have the balls to go after the chief for enforcing the codes?
I do not understand how our city leaders have allowed that group to do what they have done. Shame on them.
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