City hall is generally quiet about what is being done, if anything, to address both its actions to reduce violent crimes in Monroe.
When Chief Victor Zordan became Chief of police, he came in like John Wayne riding a white horse, announcing that violent crime was going to end and that he and the Monroe Police were declaring war on violent offenders. He focused his attention on South Monroe.
It was a bold statement and raised expectations with little result. Very few people blame Monroe Police for the growing murders, that’s why Chief Zordan’s “Woof Ticket” raised eyebrows.
A “Woof ticket” is a verbal threat that a superior power gives to make the weak backdown. “Woof Tickets” are declarations of war on the street; the person who issue a “Woof Ticket” and can’t back it up is seen as a “wimp.”
Chief Zordan is trying a few things, but he can’t back up his “woof ticket.” In one South Monroe area, police were actually dodging and hiding after someone opened fire on the MPD. Despite the Chief’s threats, the shooter has never been caught.
Mostly, the department is resorting to old remedies that have failed in the past. As the department experiments, the murders and attempted murders continue.
Several months have passed, but violent crimes seem to continue. We are rapidly approaching the infamous “murder-a-week” level of the Mayo Administration.
Chief Zordan is trying to live up to his promise to put more officers on the street. About a dozen new hires have gone to the police academy, but about four of that number will make it through the filters that include the academy itself and Field training. If past averages are any sign, even as more officers hit the streets…
The murders are continuing.
The police department uses a sophisticated computer system called “shot spotter” that can instantly pinpoint the location of weapon fire. It’s not all over the city, mostly the Southside. Even with the “shot caller” system…
The murders are continuing.
The police department has rehashed the old idea of a citizen’s academy to show old folks and interested community leaders how the police department is “supposed” to work. At a recent public meeting, one attendee described his participation as “fun.” As citizen’s academy attendants have fun…
The murders are continuing.
The department is renewing the old idea of setting up neighborhood watch programs in South Monroe. They haven’t had much luck in the high crime areas; neighborhood participation is dangerous in high crime neighborhoods. Even as the department tries to organize a few watches in safe neighborhoods…
The murders are continuing.
Even though the city has hired a communications director, and the police department has its own communications team, there seems to be a silence about what the department is doing to make good on the Chief’s “John Wayne” challenge to violent offenders and what is being done to reduce the number of murders and aggravated assaults that happen.
Even while the city tries to keep a lid on its growing violent crime problem by not addressing it..
The murders are continuing.
Maybe Donald Trump is right; if the city doesn’t talk about the problem, then maybe the problem will miraculously vanish.
Even as the city dodges the problem publically…
The murders are continuing.
