2 Chicago state reps: We want National Guard to help police our streets.

[dixiegrrrrl]

Two state representatives called on Gov. Pat Quinn Sunday to deploy the Illinois National Guard to safeguard Chicago's streets.

Chicago Democrats John Fritchey and LaShawn Ford said they want Quinn, Mayor Richard Daley and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis to allow guardsmen to patrol streets and help quell violence. Weis said he did not support the idea because the military and police operate under different rules.

"Is this a drastic call to action? Of course it is," Fritchey said. "Is it warranted when we are losing residents to gun violence at such an alarming rate? Without question. We are not talking about rolling tanks down the street or having armed guards on each corner."

What he envisions, Fritchey said, is a "heightened presence on the streets," particularly on the roughly 9 percent of city blocks where most of the city's violent crimes occur.

Weis previously identified those "hot spots" and said he plans to create a 100-person team made up of selected and volunteer police personnel to respond to crime there. If guardsmen were to assist police, they could comprise or contribute to that force, Fritchey said.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/state-reps-want-to-fight-violence-with-national-guards-help.html
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nadinbrzezinski put a post up this weekend, :It Can't Happen Here"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8206960


ahem............

[Mari333]

1. 'sorry, national guard is not available, they are currently in 2 insane occupations overseas'

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. ahhh.but we have all these Blackwater guys, ya know.

The same ones that were patrolling New Orleans and people were too busy to question the implications of that.

More importantly, isn't the idea of calling for the military to enforce local laws a bit chilling?
As in martial law type chilling?
As in Posse Comitatus chilling?

[Mari333]

4. yep

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. On top of all that, I notice the lack of an 'exit strategy' for the NG.

Now where have we seen that be a problem before...

[Vincardog]

2. This is why we must repeal the insane UNpatriot act

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Riiiight....I bet Congress has that on the list.

Not.

[Vincardog]

7. WE need to let them know it is on OUR list

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. I have the sneaky, not that I could prove it

since I lack the information from ahem, on the ground, that this increased violence in Chicago is all about the war on drugs... see Juarez.

This reminds me so much of oh Tijuana back when I was still running calls.

Oh and yes, calling for Guard deployment is also following not only American history... never mind Posse... but also what is going on in Mexico. What do you think the Army got deployed to Juarez?

And when I saw that story that sent shivers down me back... but I have a sneaky that this is the war on drugs.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Interesting take. Thanks.