Kind of a Stretch

A very liberal interpretation of what we pointed out by NBC News tonight:

• Cop Blogger Blames Crime Cameras for CPS Murders

We didn't blame the cameras per se, but rather the misguided spending and reliance on cameras to deter crime instead of actual officers who can stop suspicious people, frisk them and arrest them if need be.

NBC links to the blog by name and more importantly, links to the New Orleans report that pointed out Mayor Daley telling Mayor Nagin that Chicago was going to go into cameras in a big way as a way to "cheap" out policing.

And here's a telling statement in the NBC report from the Department:

• NBC Chicago contacted the Police Department to get their take on Second City Cop's suggestion that more cameras means less officers on the street. They replied:

  "The Chicago Police Department has been a leader among police departments in the innovative use of technology, including cameras. Chicago’s camera network – consisting of thousands of cameras integrated throughout the City – is the most integrated network in the country. Our system was created to supplement the work of our first responders and the cameras are an invaluable tool for our officers to use in their work to serve and protect the residents of the City of Chicago."

Did anyone see anything in the above paragraph that looks even remotely like an answer to NBC's question? Anyone? Bueller?

You won't find an answer in that statement because there isn't an answer in that statement. Not one hard number to be found. Meanwhile, most districts down two to four beat cars a night, the second wagon hasn't moved in months, rapid response cars are a fantasy and the last guy who remembered what a Mission Car was retired last Christmas.