I was disappointed in the way the Tribune Editorial Board framed the editorial “DuSable Lake Shore Drive has become unsafe; let’s do something about it” (Aug. 19). The drive has not changed, but driver behavior has.
Some Illinois lawmakers want legislation that would limit traffic stops for what they call “minor” traffic violations, including speeding up to 25 mph over the speed limit. Social justice warriors proclaim that traffic stops affect minorities disproportionately. Drivers are breaking the law because they know they will not be stopped.
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Policing works. Let’s get back to commonsense law enforcement, regardless of a person’s skin color, and enforce laws that are already on the books.
— Sheila Clancy, Chicago
Make the drive safer
The editorial convinced me my problem driving on DuSable Lake Shore Drive is not due to my being a “little old lady” driver. Since moving to Hyde Park this spring, I have been dependent upon the drive to get around. Am I the only one to observe the speed limit or not change lanes to avoid ever slowing down? Am I the only one to plan my exit so I don’t need to terrorize other drivers getting to the off-ramp? (I can ask these same questions about Interstate 90/94 as well.) I know I’m not, but there are plenty of offenders.
Bring on the police presence! And let’s be creative with the ticket revenue. We could fund Chicago Public Schools teachers’ pensions through the driving fines.
But most importantly, make DuSable Lake Shore Drive safe for everyone.
— Liz Rickert, Chicago
Auxiliary cops needed
It’s no secret that Chicago and most other big cities in the U.S. are so stretched thin that the call for National Guard troops is becoming a common refrain.
I was a witness in 1968 when National Guard and Army troops were dispatched to Chicago during the riots over the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and the Democratic National Convention. The confusion and chaos between the police and the military troops was palpable.
National Guardsmen are trained military specialists. They do not know state or municipal laws. They are not trained in arrest, search and seizure; they do not know the elements of a crime.
In 1968, the Guardsmen, not acquainted with the neighborhoods they were assigned to, were often lost and confused. The chain of command of who was in charge and who was giving orders caused a multitude of problems between troops and law enforcement.
In Chicago, it’s no secret that the Chicago Police Department has been short of a few thousand officers in the last four to five years. Handling teen disturbances and multiple demonstrations during the summer have left the department short, and police overtime has sharply increased. A recent editorial pointed out that DuSable Lake Shore Drive has become unsafe, and it pointed out the lack of police patrols. The same could be said for police coverage in the neighborhood districts.
These problems could be solved by auxiliary police officers who are trained in the Police Academy, are well aware of the laws and know the city. My guess is potential candidates such as off-duty firefighters, retired cops and scores of others would be interested. There would be no pensions to pay out and no pay beyond the hours worked. The mayor and the City Council could use these auxiliary cops on an as-needed basis without consulting the governor or having the president send unqualified troops.
At the very least, I believe it’s time has come.
— Bob Angone, retired Chicago police lieutenant, Austin, Texas
Reviving Grant Park
The editorial on improving Grant Park (“A wonderful imagined future for city’s Grant Park. Now, who pays?” Aug. 17) was very welcome, especially regarding the south side of the park, which languishes compared with the north side, where Millennium Park and the Petrillo Music Shell are.
The ideas for transforming the streets into “park boulevards” with planted medians and bike lanes would be a big step forward.
We’ve seen plans for transforming Queen’s Landing, and unfortunately, those prove to be way too pricey for the benefits.
There’s one big idea that I shared with Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin several years ago, which would be a better use of funds. Decking over some of the railroad tracks that bisect the park and transforming that eyesore area into a “Millennium Park South” would really bring a much needed revival and a showcase for the south Grant Park area.
— Tim Klein, Chicago
Restrict cyclist speeds
On Aug. 13, I visited Chicago with my four grandkids ages 5 to 8. As my daughter-in-law, my grandkids and I walked from Navy Pier to the playground on the Riverwalk, we were faced with walking within the bounds of a narrowing walking path as cyclists whizzed past us. As we crossed over the Chicago River, the walking path narrowed to approximately 3 feet.
Forced to walk single file, it took serious concentration for us two adults to stay within those bounds. Children are easily distracted, and we constantly reminded the kids not to stray outside the boundary line while cyclists passed us at speeds that would have seriously injured them.
Why is there no restriction on cycling speeds? Pedestrians can’t safely look back to check when cyclists are approaching, yet we alone are most expected to keep ourselves and cyclists safe from harm. Those who choose to walk are as environmentally conscious as cyclists. We deserve to feel safe from injury when we walk.
— Mike King, Dakota, Illinois
Outdated references
What do I think when I hear “crime of the century”? It certainly isn’t crimes of the 20th century when we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st century.
Tribune editorials have been behind the times before, but this takes the cake (“Opposing Mayor Brandon Johnson’s tax-increase ideas is not a criminal act,”
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Aug. 14). Mocking Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration with out-of-date references is not the way to convince anyone of your position.— Bernie Cicirello, Chicago
The right decision
It was a win for the good guys (“Burke’s office declines to file charges against CPD officers Reed,” Aug. 14).
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke made it clear that the evidence was overwhelming and “prosecutors would not be able to meet their burden of proof” in charging Chicago police officers in the shooting death of Dexter Reed during a traffic stop.
It’s tragic and terrifying that Reed would open fire on five police officers, wounding one with a potentially career-ending injury, over a minor traffic stop.
Burke made the right call. Lives were traumatized, a neighborhood was upended and a young man needlessly gave up his life.
— Bruce R. Hovanec, Chicago
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