ANOTHER ALDERMAN DECLARES "POLICE SHORTAGE": But It's Still Not Alderman Tom Tunney

Another alderman is speaking up about the very real shortage of police officers in Chicago. And, once again, that alderman is not Tom Tunney.

From neighboring Alderman James Cappelman’s email to constituents this weekend:

In response to the shooting at Wilson and Sheridan last week, the Commander stationed police at 3 hot spots 24/7 for the next few weeks. The police were present at these hot spots at [yesterday’s shooting in Uptown]…. I have repeatedly asked for more police to be dispatched in these areas. The Commander is left with the final decision of where the police are to be deployed based on an ever-changing set of variables within the police district throughout the day. However, his job is more difficult with our current police shortage.

Simply put, more police are needed on the streets so that we can get a better handle on all of the crimes committed in the area. Public drinking and disturbances of peace, as the “Broken Windows” theory states, can lead to more violent crimes in an area. A number of aldermen and I are insisting on a commitment of more police officers on the street before we vote on the 2014 City Budget.

“More officers on the street.” That phrase is a whole other piece of hocus-pocus flimfammery shenaigans stuff that politicians and police executives use to trick citizens into thinking that something is being done to improve police services. We won’t, uh, be-labor you on this holiday weekend.

But it is good to see another alderman speak up and say exactly what we’re dealing with: a police shortage.

Tom, step up, please. Show us that you are willing to end your 100% backing of Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s legislative positions, even when those positions have called for cutting the police budget. Take a stand on this. Please.