Crime out of control
The recent crime spree in Mobile has a lot of people, particularly some of my brethren in the news media, pointing the finger at downtown and it’s nearby neighborhoods. And yes, there have been some crimes in my Oakleigh neighborhood and in downtown, but it’s happening all over town. In my latest column I talk about this situation. The Loop has been hard hit, and there have even been holdups in tony Spring Hill. People try to keep it quiet.
I know the company line at City Hall is that crime really hasn’t risen, but I’m not buying that. Maybe the number of armed robberies is the same, but no one cares when someone hanging out at a juke joint on Michigan Avenue at midnight gets robbed. When it’s the Blockbuster at the Loop that’s held up, that’s another story.
The cops I’ve talked to all say they need more help. More people patrolling. That’s the answer. Stop the stupid roadblocks and trying to catch people with expired insurance, and patrol more. Get more guys and gals out there with handcuffs, tasers and pistols. That’s what we need.
Tags: armed robbery, crime, mobile, patrol, police
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Exactly what I’ve been thinking. Stop being lazy and relying on stupid roadblocks and get back to real police work. Working the beat, getting to know the community, noticing changes in the neighborhood and things out of place. Not lining ordinary law-abiding citizens up like they are criminals and wasting their time in these roadblocks.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
nah, roadblocks work! they’re mostly checkin for supended licenses(dui), wanted criminals and such.
more people are killed/injured by traffic criminals than all other’s combined!
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:29 pm
With the roadblocks and the recent “Pay Your Damn Parking Ticket” campaign, I’ve come to the decision that this is quick cash scheme for the City. I’d like to see the bottom line concerning both of these programs. Doing “real” police work costs too much money.
As far as the roadblocks go, it’s more convenient to go around them. There are certain roads on which they concentrate. I suggest sticking to four-lane plus roads. It may be more inconvenient, but the roadblocks are much more inconvenient.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I have to wonder how much better it might be if our municipal force wasn’t losing manpower to the sheriff’s department continuously. The defections have to be a factor.
Will the Loop have to turn to Blackwater Security to keep merchants safe? Considering the police headquarters is a half-mile away, that would sure be embarrassing.
One exception I take to Rob’s summary: “Maybe the number of armed robberies is the same, but no one cares when someone hanging out at a juke joint on Michigan Avenue at midnight gets robbed. When it’s the Blockbuster at the Loop that’s held up, that’s another story.” Please tell me I missed the sarcasm in this. To me, it’s all bad. I had a friend who almost died from being stabbed outside a “juke joint” in the wee hours over a decade ago. The name of the joint? George’s Late Nite.
Besides, no entrepreneur or business deserves to have their efforts squandered by some idiot with a weapon.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I should have added this earlier, but do you know where all the cops are? Try West Mobile around Snow Rd. and Tanner Williams. Since the annexation, it is not uncommon to pass multiple (like 4+) police cars within a one-mile stretch. Sometimes, they perch at the GB and Chevron gas stations at the corner of Tanner Williams and Snow with two at each station.
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Well with the extra tax revenue, they could hire on some more cops for patrol. Just my 2 cents.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Of course don’t forget that part of that extra city revenue came at the expense of the school system losing a couple of million that used to go to them when it was taxed under the county system. I still haven’t heard the city mention a plan to replace that revenue. It didn’t seem like the city even realized this until about 7 days before the annexation vote.
April 23rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Kevin, there was definitely a note of sarcasm there, in that crime in bad neighborhoods is generally overlooked to a degree. I’m also doubtful the “normal” crime has stopped and the other increase. I think the policia are getting swamped by lost manpower, too many officers designated for special duty paid for by federal grants, increased patrol area and increased population.
Not to mention Klingons.