This is why I want to adopt.  I would vote for the Issue 15.  If it saves only one life, it's worth it to me.

^even if you take the baby step of mentoring it makes a huge difference.

I've done that.  Yet it hard to do consistantly with my travel schedule - which further complicates things now that I'm interested in adoption.  I don't want to adopt a kid and have him raised by the nanny. 

It also runs against the inclination of government itself which is to grow in size and strength if left unchecked (of course that applies to the corporate world too).

 

Holy modell, we agree on something.  :)

 

Actually, I'd make one distinction.  The corporate world, unless it receives the protection of government, is faced with one check on its tendency to grow:  the free market.

 

That's why the only union still pushing for anti-efficiency work rules is AFSCME and its ilk.  Actually, private sector unions (ironically in view of history) also can provide a check on corporate overgrowth. 

The corporate world, unless it receives the protection of government, is faced with one check on its tendency to grow:  the free market.

 

I've heard this countless times recently from right-wingers.  It is simply untrue.  Only under perfect conditions (perfect competition, perfect consumer information, etc.) do the laws of supply and demand work as advertised.  In this case, companies will not make a profit.  This is why companies will try to form a monopoly (or use collusion) to skew the market.  Also, the power of advertising (and the fact that no consumer has equal access to all places and never can have perfect information) adds to the problem.  This is why the top 10 fast food establishments are also the 10 that spend the most in advertising.

 

So, no, the free market actually is what allows corporations to spin out of control.  The government's main function in the corporate world *should be* to limit the power of corporations to affect these changes on the market, through Anti-Trust laws and the like.

 

Supply and demand free market capitalism is as much of a myth as Communism.  I know that's very unpopular to sya in this country, but it's the truth.

having spent time in a social democracy (Sweden), which has a very big government controlling companies (and thus protecting citizens) an awful lot. Without sarcasm,my favorite was they could not advertise junky empty calorie cereals during children's programing, lest they become as fat and diabetic as we are. This was a consumer driven outcome by parents, by the way-not the government just deciding. They had to give into the pressure of, gasp, the populace. The horror.  Yet, corporations somehow manage to survive or they would not do business there. Last I check Mickie D's was a not a non profit and seems to be doing fine over there.

How terrible - I hope they throw the book at these scumbags!

 

Cleveland police officer slain, four suspects arrested

 

Posted by Metro staff February 29, 2008 18:59PM

 

A 36-year-old Cleveland police officer died early this morning after being shot in the abdomen while chasing four men Friday evening in the city's southeast side.

 

Derek Owens, who joined the force in September 1998, was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center by a squad car after the shooting at East 102nd Street and Parkview just after 6 p.m.

 

He died at 12:13 a.m. in surgery, hospital spokeswoman Susan Christopher said.

 

More at cleveland.com

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/02/cleveland_police_officer_shot.html

that is heartbreaking. I am really glad they caught these guys.

This is terrible.  My prayers go out to the family and friends and all those affected by this.  I hope justice is served.

Ugh.  I worked just down the street from this neighborhood, and never thought of it as being bad.  Luke Easter Park anchors the neighborhood, and in my experience, it's a peaceful, serene place.  And the fourth district police headquarters is very pronounced less than a 1/2 mile from were Officer Owens was killed.

---

 

Cleveland neighborhood where officer was shot known as dangerous area

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Gabriel Baird and Stan Donaldson

Plain Dealer Reporters

 

The neighborhood where Patrolman Derek Owens was fatally shot Friday was among the first that police targeted after Mayor Frank Jackson directed them to aggressively crack down on crime.

 

 

I used to have social services territory in Woodland Hills, and also thought it to be a little quieter and more kept up than some of its neighbors. There also is more green space so that always makes things look better too. It may have been my perception only though, b/c coworkers argued it was one of the worst in our territory. I guess with all the foreclosures things have gotten worse.

Some cases are, for lack of a better word, Darwinian.

 

Officials: Knife-Wielding Man Fatally Shot By Police

 

POSTED: 8:41 pm EST March 1, 2008

UPDATED: 9:56 pm EST March 1, 2008

 

 

CLEVELAND -- Officers arrived at a Dudley Avenue home Saturday morning at 8:30 after receiving a call about a man threatening to kill his mother.

 

Police said the man produced a knife and would not drop it. He was shot.

 

He was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he died.

I used to have social services territory in Woodland Hills, and also thought it to be a little quieter and more kept up than some of its neighbors. There also is more green space so that always makes things look better too. It may have been my perception only though, b/c coworkers argued it was one of the worst in our territory. I guess with all the foreclosures things have gotten worse.

 

The resident is saying it's only certain sections that are bad. 

 

I worked very close to where Officer Schroeder was killed.  Not that bad of an area....in the daytime.

The Southeast side of Cleveland is the highest crime area of the city now.  The biggest problem central cities face is the false perception that green space = safe neighborhood.

Ugh.  I worked just down the street from this neighborhood, and never thought of it as being bad.  Luke Easter Park anchors the neighborhood, and in my experience, it's a peaceful, serene place.  And the fourth district police headquarters is very pronounced less than a 1/2 mile from were Officer Owens was killed

 

 

  I LOVE the information that I get on this board..transportation, projects, etc etc...but the only thing that sometimes gets to me is the idea that some of the neighborhoods are nice and peaceful that really aren't at all.  I know that people want their neighborhood not to be perceived as bad..but sometimes these neighborhoods just ARE.  I know that perception (ex OTR in Cincy) and the reality of an area like the 4th District Police area can be the same.  I have been on the CFD for 12 years, and until this past year, worked my whole career in that area.  I hate to break anyones bubble, but that area is bad.  I have seen more violence in that area than almost any area of the city that I have worked.  What some people don't realize is that just because something isn't on the news or in the paper, doesn't mean it isn't happeneing.  Trust me, there have been many shootings, stabbings, or beatings in that immediate area (to which I have responded) that never make it in the media...I am assuming only because they were non-fatal.   

  I guess I should also say, there are nice nabes...such as Luke Easter Point, Shaker Square, and the Lee-Miles area (even though it has been slowly changing).  I guess my advice is to not be lulled into thinking the whole area is all "bunnies and clouds" because of a few nice areas.  Trust me, ask most CPD and they will tell you the "4th" is a VERY active area. 

  This being said, please don't jump down my throat for giving you all a viewpoint from not just working IN the area, but actually working the whole area. 

I agree with you. Different neighborhoods have different "looks" and looks may be deceiving (for better or worse). Probably the whole green space thing is that these areas hold the ghosts of a peaceful gentle past (and we can only hope, future). I think we all complained about the media overdoing the crime reporting. While I do not like the sensationalizing, I would like a little blurb. I want the info not so much to dwell on it but to get a response from the city as to what the plans are to address this. I was surprised we have had many (5 +)non fatal shootings in the last 2 months near my home and only one received mention.

I saw this in the PD yesterday - I wonder if there will be any kind of public access.

 

Cleveland residential run-ins mapped out with a click

 

Map software lets city spot problem areas

 

Sunday, March 02, 2008

 

Gabriel Baird, Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Your neighbors in Cleveland let their pit bull run wild by day. They play loud music at night. They do drugs on the weekends. What's more, their house is an eyesore, with broken windows and a trash-strewn lawn.

 

In the past, the animal warden would have dealt with the dog, police would have investigated the noise and drug complaints, and housing inspectors would have handled the code violations. None would have seen the big picture. To put the puzzle pieces together would have required going through records from three different offices. Starting Monday, that will change.

 

More at cleveland.com

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/120445032816520.xml&coll=2

^It always amazes me how behind the times government agencies are.  They should have had this software 10 years ago.  At least if they didn't want to pay for it, they should have had it 3 years ago.  People have been writing all sorts of add-ons to Google Maps through an easy-to-use API, and the city can't get this until now?  I guess at least it's good they have it now.

 

Does NYC have public access for their software, which sounds pretty similar?

I don't know about public access, but New York is using CitiStat as well.

I think it should be public access. the more you know...

Lakewood utilizes ÇitiStat as well.  As of Oct 2007, 60% of City Departments were using it.

 

There is a public website > http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/citistat.html

 

Baltimore seems to have  a more robust public site, that could perhaps be a model for the City of Cleveland's long overdue website overhaul.

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/news/citistat/

 

 

Would the law forbidding rebuilding apply if he was operating according to the law?  If so, that's a really objectionable law. 

 

In this case he wasn't, so it's largely moot.  Also, it sounds like the owner was negligent in general so the fire was likely caused due to same.

Shooting victim was CSU student; worked at restaurant

Posted by Mark Puente March 25, 2008 11:52AM

Categories: Crime

 

The 19-year-old Bay Village man who was fatally shot last night in Cleveland was studying business at Cleveland State University, his family said. Mosa Shafik wrestled at Bay Village High School and graduated in 2007.

 

...

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/03/shooting_victim_was_csu_studen.html

Interesting-looking web site detailing crime in Lakewood: www.crimewood.com.  I haven't really explored it yet, so it could just be crazy ranting...

Shooting victim was CSU student; worked at restaurant

Posted by Mark Puente March 25, 2008 11:52AM

Categories: Crime

 

The 19-year-old Bay Village man who was fatally shot last night in Cleveland was studying business at Cleveland State University, his family said. Mosa Shafik wrestled at Bay Village High School and graduated in 2007.

 

...

 

 

The Irony of how the media handled this. :roll:

Interesting-looking web site detailing crime in Lakewood: www.crimewood.com.  I haven't really explored it yet, so it could just be crazy ranting...

 

some of these posts seem kinda rough, for example,

 

3/24/2008  15010 Madison  Psychiatric situation. Apt. 305. Male considering suicide.

Interesting-looking web site detailing crime in Lakewood: www.crimewood.com.  I haven't really explored it yet, so it could just be crazy ranting...

 

It's a lot of police reports, but also a listing of foreclosures and Section 8 properties in Lakewood.  The domain owner has masked his or her identity.  Probably someone pist off at the city government, possibly a former resident turned landlord or a business owner.

Any know if this is really a good idea? Seems like Jackson is on the move lately...

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/120798913522270.xml&coll=2&thispage=2

 

Cleveland police zones to be cut from 6 to 5

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Gabriel Baird and Henry J. Gomez

Plain Dealer Reporters

 

Mayor Frank Jackson's plan for overhauling the way police patrol Cleveland borrows a page from famed crime fighter Eliot Ness.

 

Jackson intends to reduce the number of police zones from six to five - an arrangement that Ness used while serving as the city's safety director 70 years ago - and assign officers to specific neighborhoods. The change takes effect May 5.

 

"We're reinventing the neighborhood police," Jackson said Friday in a meeting with Plain Dealer reporters and editors.

 

...

I personally like the idea of neighborhood policing, although I don't know for a fact whether or not it works better than other systems.  I'd like to see a complete presentation of the plan.

^Jackson is not a grandstander. He doesnt' make changes because it will make him look good. He would only do this if he thinks it is good for Cleveland. Council is very parochial. If something is good for Cleveland overall but is bad for his or her ward, then the councilmember will make it seem as if it is bad for the ward, cleveland, ohio, US and the entire world.

I thought we already had neighborhood officers? I too need to get a little more info on what this will mean. I tend to agree Jackson is not in this for himself or his career, like many council people. However I hope this in the end will have good outcomes (although a good person does not always equal a good leader). It is unfortunate that city councils  fracture the city leadership with being absorbed with their own agendas. 

I really like the idea of a downtown "mini-district." It seems like off-duty cops provide all the protection for downtown. It would be nice to see a patrol car cruising down prospect every once in a while.

 

Also, it would be great to see cops on bikes around downtown. The safety patrol is OK but actual police officers would be better.

Has anyone noticed at least 2 new wireless cameras downtown:

- on a traffic light pole at the north east corner of ontario and st. clair; and

- on a light pole on the southwest corner of ontario and rockwell?

 

I'm curious if this is a pilot or part of a larger project.

Has anyone noticed at least 2 new wireless cameras downtown:

- on a traffic light pole at the north east corner of ontario and st. clair; and

- on a light pole on the southwest corner of ontario and rockwell?

 

I'm curious if this is a pilot or part of a larger project.

 

I believe they are related to the Silver/Health Line. there's one focused on the road at Euclid/East 2nd (SE Corner of Public Square)

Councilman Joe Cimperman, whose ward includes downtown, considers the mayor's plan risky. He recalled Jackson's words at an early 2007 forum, where the mayor was asked what would happen if his police plans failed.

 

"You vote me out if it doesn't work," Jackson told the crowd.

 

Has Cimperman unofficially announced yet or is he just being obvious (about running for mayor)?

Sort of an interesting article in the PD about a New Year's attack in Garfield Heights that got completely overshadowed by the attack in Shaker.  Warning, the reader comments are mostly utterly depressing racist bile.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/04/shaker_heights_beating_oversha.html

Has anyone noticed at least 2 new wireless cameras downtown:

- on a traffic light pole at the north east corner of ontario and st. clair; and

- on a light pole on the southwest corner of ontario and rockwell?

 

I'm curious if this is a pilot or part of a larger project.

 

I believe they are related to the Silver/Health Line. there's one focused on the road at Euclid/East 2nd (SE Corner of Public Square)

 

you are correct, i believe the cameras on euclid that are mounted on top of the traffic poles are for traffic detection only (no video monitoring).  they look a bit like this:

 

the ones i'm curious about though are large white plastic enclosures with a tinted dome on the bottom and a very large antenna attached to it.

 

edit:

it looks a bit like these, although the antennas are different:

Sort of an interesting article in the PD about a New Year's attack in Garfield Heights that got completely overshadowed by the attack in Shaker.  Warning, the reader comments are mostly utterly depressing racist bile.

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/04/shaker_heights_beating_oversha.html

 

Yeah, some of those comments are disgusting.  But every time something like this happens, the racists get bolder and the people "on the fence" heed them more.  And they think hard about moving. That's reality.

 

The sad irony is that black residents are far more the victims of the thugs.  Both due to crime (if you think this crime was "underreported" imagine if Szilagyi was black) and due to thie higher prices they pay for things like insurance (when they can get it) and for items in their neighborhood stores.

 

Those who oppose "sprawl" should keep this in mind:  your biggest enemies aren't Medina County politicians, ODOT, or Ryan Homes.  Your biggest enemies are the thugs of the type who attacked McDermott and Szilyagi and prey upon their neighbors each and every day, and those who excuse them.

Can't they all be my enemies?  I like to be inclusive about that sort of thing.

^^ That's a really good point. I know several people who have moved from Cleveland's westside/inner ring suburbs to the exurbs in the last few years and the first reason they always mention for moving is safety. My cousin just moved from Newburgh Heights to Hinckley after her home was broken into twice in the last year. She loved her home and her neighbors but the crime from Slavic Village kept creeping in.

Can't they all be my enemies?  I like to be inclusive about that sort of thing.

 

Exactly, the enemies are the criminals AND those who capitalize off of it rather than fight it.

 

Sorry if this has been mentioned before on here, but does anybody know what is up with the lady that has been hanging around at E. 30th and Carnegie a lot for at least 6 months now?  She waits for the light to turn red, then walks between the lanes, stopping to peer in every car window.  I have seen this dozens of times, and she does exactly the same thing any time.  If she was selling drugs (or otherwise), I would think the police would have figured it out by now (being so consistent in actions and location, especially on a busy intersection).  And if she's not selling drugs, I can't figure out what she IS doing.

Can the police and tell them she is there!  HELLO!!

MTS, why don't you write a letter? :roll:

Can the police and tell them she is there!  HELLO!!

 

I will...I meant to long ago and forgot, and then I guess I assumed by now someone else must have (it has been literally over 6 months).

MTS, why don't you write a letter? :roll:

 

Miss Honey, if I witness something like this over a period of time and thought this person might be a danger to herself or a nuisance, I would call the police or 311.

 

However, I didn't witness this.  You might want to ask Jam40jeff to write a letter or contact the authorities if he hasn't already done so.  :roll: 

 

Edit:  I see the J4J plans too.

"does anybody know what is up with the lady that has been hanging around at E. 30th and Carnegie a lot for at least 6 months now? "

weather permitting, she is just pandhandling. I have not seen her the last several times I have been by.I have actually been wondering about about her.

 

edit: I doubt the police will do anything they pass that intersection all the time. to my knowledge 311 does not dispatch personal. the best bet is to give the 311 number to people in need. If they appear a danger to self or others, then of course call the police.

Can't they all be my enemies?  I like to be inclusive about that sort of thing.

 

Exactly, the enemies are the criminals AND those who capitalize off of it rather than fight it.

 

Sorry if this has been mentioned before on here, but does anybody know what is up with the lady that has been hanging around at E. 30th and Carnegie a lot for at least 6 months now?  She waits for the light to turn red, then walks between the lanes, stopping to peer in every car window.  I have seen this dozens of times, and she does exactly the same thing any time.  If she was selling drugs (or otherwise), I would think the police would have figured it out by now (being so consistent in actions and location, especially on a busy intersection).  And if she's not selling drugs, I can't figure out what she IS doing.

 

If she's not a clear danger to herself or others, they really can't do anything about it if she refuses offers of help.

Weather permitting, she is just pandhandling.

 

She certainly is a poor panhandler if that is what she is doing...she is not aggressive (in the sense of asking for money).  In fact, she gives no indication that she wants money.  I think she is either crazy or is selling something.

 

If she's not a clear danger to herself or others, they really can't do anything about it if she refuses offers of help.

 

I understand that, and it is actually the main reason I have never called the police.  I was mainly just asking on here to see if anyone else had seen her do anything more aggressive, intimidating, or illegal.  I haven't...I have only seen her acting "strange" over a long period of time.

Weather permitting, she is just pandhandling.

 

She certainly is a poor panhandler if that is what she is doing...she is not aggressive (in the sense of asking for money).  In fact, she gives no indication that she wants money.  I think she is either crazy or is selling something.

 

If she's not a clear danger to herself or others, they really can't do anything about it if she refuses offers of help.

 

I understand that, and it is actually the main reason I have never called the police.  I was mainly just asking on here to see if anyone else had seen her do anything more aggressive, intimidating, or illegal.  I haven't...I have only seen her acting "strange" over a long period of time.

 

Well if she does it in the Euclid Corridor she might get arrested for jaywalking.    :police:

Weather permitting, she is just pandhandling.

 

She certainly is a poor panhandler if that is what she is doing...she is not aggressive (in the sense of asking for money).  In fact, she gives no indication that she wants money.  I think she is either crazy or is selling something.

 

 

I have had her ask me for money directly and have seen people in cars give her money. Unfortunetly I think she is probably hoping to raise money to buy rather than sell drugs. When she has approached me on my scooter I have asked her nicely to step back (as I do all panhandlers that approach me on 2 wheels) and she always complies