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Post by cityslicker on Nov 8, 2013 6:57:58 GMT -6
There have been deaths in the alleys of Streator. One of them was from a fight. The aggressor did not get a very harsh punishment, the punishment did not fit the crime.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 7:38:48 GMT -6
I agree with you. What I said about not bring able to make arrests is what was told to me. Ask the Police Chief if this is true. Ask the council or City Manager. I just presented the info. I don't agree with it either. It seems preposterous to me that no arrests can be made when witnessing a fight as an officer. I agree and personally witnessed it. When a fight broke out next door to me with approx. 50 people (what I would consider a mob), they were all still fighting when cops pulled up. There were both City and County cars, probably around 6 cars. The police even brought out their batons to break it up. Nobody arrested. Not one single person. I find that unbelievable and unacceptable. When I moved over here to LaSalle 4 months ago, I was pretty nervous about where I was going to be renting. There are 4 apartments in my building and a 12 unit apartment complex next door. (my landlord owns both). In the 4 months I have been here, I have not heard a single thing out of either building. Both are quiet both day and night. I've never seen a police car at either building. I think everybody works. During the day, there's hardly a car in the parking lot. Just yesterday I was telling my landlord how surprised I've been by how quiet it is. He said that's not by accident. They screen all their potential renters and the police here are tough. Does crime that happens in Streator also happen in LaSalle? Of course it does! Maybe the difference is how it's dealt with. Maybe the difference is strictly with my landlord and who he rents to, I don't know. All I know is, it's so nice not to have to deal with that CRAP on a daily basis. My landlady in Streator was great and she tried to get something done too. She personally went to the Chief of Police twice to try to get something done but when all the other landlords don't care if they rent to druggies and the police won't do anything, then she was fighting a losing battle.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 8, 2013 7:54:59 GMT -6
I believe it has a lot to do with how it is dealt with.
When there are no consequences for the offenders, it tells them and others that it is acceptable for more of these incidents to happen.
This makes it happen much more often here, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, there are many people that just don't want to hear about it, much less start talking about solutions.
Trying to stop people from talking about it, will not make it change.
People moving away does not help either, but I understand why they do.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 8:15:09 GMT -6
fighting will take a little stress off u. so go for it. i beat jack everyday than feel better.
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Post by Anonymous on Nov 8, 2013 10:27:23 GMT -6
It doesn't have to be me that gets into office for things to change and if I were in office, I couldn't just change anything; I am only one person. A majority of the council needs to be willing to do things differently for there to be change. I've changed my mind. I don't think you should run for City Council. In two years I believe the Mayor's race will be held again. Since the Mayor is the head of the liquor licenses, you should instead focus on the Mayoral race. Why run for City Council when you can run for the top dog spot. Run for Mayor and see what you can do. Does it take a petition to get on that ballot? If so, I will sign it and ask my friends to sign it, too, so you can run.
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Post by helencrump on Nov 8, 2013 18:18:15 GMT -6
I was involved as a witness of an incident in another county. The cops did make an arrest. It went to court. I assumed it would be fairly cut and dry. Until those involved and their 'Alibis' testified. If the parties involved in the incident and their buddies won't testify against anyone, then there just isn't enough evidence to find them guilty. If the responding cop can't find any of the involved parties willing to testify, it's a mute point if one person three floors up thinks they can identify any of the parties. Ive said this before. Its a waste of money to go to court without willing witnesses. There was an incident last year that a friend of mines family member was struck by a stray punch. I really was disappointed when she said the cop begged her to sign a statement, but she didn't want to get involved, so she said she didnt see anything. So, let's not put all of the blame on the cops. Or even the states atty.
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Post by helencrump on Nov 8, 2013 18:36:26 GMT -6
And yes, MYSELF, I've experienced hearing someone say they were afraid to come to streator. I was talking to a co-worker, and they mentioned how good a certain food item was from a local establishment. I mentioned that it was off the beaten path. She then mentioned that she had been coming weekly for the KofC drawings and then they'd go for dinner at recommended establishments. She said she had had a great time. When I mentioned my favorite place, she said they probably wouldn't be coming back, because her grandmother told her how bad streator was, and that SHE never came here because of the rep streator has always had. I asked her how she had been treated, and did she ever see any of this bad behaviour. She said she enjoyed herself, but wasn't going to come again. So, I don't think you will change the minds of those that go back generations. It would be nice if the brawling could be stopped. But, it seams like people are getting more violent, rather than less.
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Post by chevypower on Nov 9, 2013 2:15:01 GMT -6
You think! the loss of jobs and the high price of living...... it's going to be ugly soon
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 9, 2013 7:56:04 GMT -6
I agree that there are times that it may not be worth trying to press charges because of a lack of evidence.
When things have happened other places, I've seen police collect information from witnesses and action taken.
I have not seen that here when things happen.
An eyewitness statement for a mugging was not even bothered with.
I was more than willing to press charges when someone exposed themselves in the street but could not get anything done.
I understand that action requires man hours, and they are limited on those, but that just points back to the council's responsibility in this.
I think that many of the problems could be avoided if the bars could be controlled to stop serving people before they get so drunk that they are out of control. This also points back to the council.
As long as these things still go on so often, we can not even start living down that reputation.
To let these problems go on, it could be a loved one of anyone here that ends up loosing their life.
These things do hurt everyone here, in my opinion, and need to be controlled.
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Post by gijane on Nov 9, 2013 14:08:09 GMT -6
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Nov 9, 2013 14:26:47 GMT -6
That is an interesting article.
I tried going to The Illinois State Police years ago.
Maybe we need the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to come here.
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