Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Fifty two
That’s the number of people shot in Chicago over the weekend. In Lincoln, population 255,000, there were no shootings over the weekend and there have been four this year, none fatal. Last year, there were 12 people shot in Lincoln; four were fatal. I don’t know how many people have been shot in Omaha this year, but news reports show two over the weekend, and 16 fatal shootings so far in 2010. Gun violence is killing a lot of people, and we are fortunate that the level in Lincoln is comparatively low.
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15 comments:
The vast majority of shootings on Chicago are like the vast majority of shootings in Omaha - gang-related, and happen in pretty much the same areas. Gangs exist in Lincoln, of course, but while the are present, I wouldn't say they "own" any part of Lincoln, not even the worst parts, like the SE A beat, for example. Sadly, I can't say the same for Omaha.
Er, correction, I meant the SW A beat (not the SE A beat).
20 years ago I remember Omaha being a quiet city. Homicide rate of around 5-10 a year, just like Lincoln now. It will come here eventually.
Until the Federal Government takes the war on drugs seriously and secures the borders from the kingpins bringing mass quantities of drugs, your gonna have problems.
Lincoln barely has a gang problem. Lincoln has a few members here and there but there aren't many violent members here, yet.
Lincoln has youngsters growing up that could easily become violent members here. With the economy the way it is and no well paying jobs in this city, more people will be poor and resort to illegal activities.
I feel in about 10 years Lincoln will be having significantly more gang killings and problems. I'm just glad I will be retired by then and not have to deal with that.
I am a strong advocate of CCW in Lincoln, NE. Although it would be wise to let LPD take care of all situations that warrant a weapon, Lincoln has allowed Law Abidding Citizens to carry concealed in order to Protect themselves, their family and those around them prior to the police getting there and doing what they do best. "Taking Care of Business."
Even Chicago pales to NYC: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/03/26/2010-03-26_bloody_start_to_10_spike_in_killings__shootings_has_folks_worried.html
NYC has roughly 3x the population of Chicago, so re-consider your assertion on the relative murder rates.
FORMER DEPUTY DUENSING:
Many of us, if not all, with Concealed Handgun permits feel it is part of our duty as human beings to protect ourselves and our love ones. Having the tools available to do that is just part of the job, and one that we feel is a human right that should never be denied by any level of government. I considered it quite an honor to be the first in Nebraska to receive a permit, and I hope that if the need should arise, I will respond appropriately and help to show that allowing concealed carry was the right thing to do.
Our 10th homicide for the year happened Sunday. Four gang-bangers go to the porch of a house to retaliate for something that happened in May. They knock on the door and then start shooting through the door before it's opened, killing a 13 year-old that never even saw his killers.
One big problem. They were at the wrong address. Problem number two was that they were in a neighborhood where people paid attention and gave the Police a very accurate description of the killers and their vehicle. They were arrested a few blocks away four minutes after their botched retaliation.
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I live in Omaha and I can tell you the police are a joke compared to the Lincoln Police. Keep doing what you're doing, Chief Casady. It's working.
My family and I have always felt safe in Lincoln. (Family vacation photo)
I've got no dog in this fight, but to cut OPD some slack, the no-snitch culture that hasn't taken root here in Lincoln has moved in, set up camp, and is the dominant mode of "thinking" inside the I-80 / I-680 Shooting Gallery Loop, which is where nearly all of the gang-related violence happens in Omaha. Almost no one sees anything, almost no one testifies, almost no one goes to prison for anything OPD can't testify to themselves.
Meanwhile, people who live inside the Shooting Gallery Loop decry OPD, because it's easier than blaming themselves. Look in the mirror, NoDo residents, you're to blame. You're the ones popping out future gangbangers out of wedlock, you're the ones not providing fathers inside the home, you're the ones to blame for young boys seeking out these strong, male role models in the form of older gang members. You're the ones that keep voting for milquetoast mayors and council members, you're the ones that keep voting to re-elect plea-dealing prosecutors, and you're the ones that keep voting to retain wrist-slap judges.
You're also the ones who berate OPD every time they have to shoot one of these pieces of walking trash down, because your gangbanger son/BF/relative/friend was somehow just getting his life turned around, right? Right.
Chief, I'd be interested to see a comparison of Officer involved shootings per year, for similar departments, if you have that information available.
I was just remarking about this to a co-worker - how glad I am to live in Lincoln. Thanks for your great work, LPD!
It's called proactive community policing, and Omaha does NONE of it. You will NEVER see OPD walking a beat, getting to know locals. Even downtown, in the Old Market, on Gene Leahy, you'd think cops would be walking all over the place. NEVER. Also, I think OPD is scared to go to NoDo. You'd think they would try some of Lincoln's strategies, or the NY City idea of taking cops away from safe areas and putting an officer on every single corner of a bad neighborhood. Where is this type of proactive community policing in Omaha?
Eric- I couldn't agree with you more. I moved out of Omaha because I was sick of the crime, and the lack of police response/follow up.
OPD has done a banner job of one thing so far, that is working their tails off to prevent law abiding citizens from owning and/or carrying firearms to protect themselves.
Omaha tries so hard to be just like Chicago, and they are getting there. Condo's downtown, shootings every day, nobody except the criminals, Police and politicians can have guns.
The Chicago plan works real well, and Omaha is following it to the letter.
Anonymous 6:03- cut OPD some slack? No way. Is the violence their fault? No, it all stems from a lack of parenting in that city. People can't step up and parent their children. But OPD is broken and in desperate need of repair.
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