Chicago: Governor requesting National Guard to Fight Crime

[Miggy]

The Associated Press

By DON BABWIN – 1 hour ago

CHICAGO (AP) — Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday talked about sending state troopers or even the Illinois National Guard to help Chicago combat crime — an offer that Mayor Richard Daley didn't know was coming.

Appearing at a signing ceremony for a bill that toughens the penalty for adults who provide guns to minors, Blagojevich said "violent crime in the city of Chicago is out of control."

"I'm offering resources of the state to the city to work in a constructive way with Mayor Daley to do everything we can possibly do to help" stop this violence, the governor said.

Blagojevich said Daley had not asked for help and that he would call Daley later in the day.

Daley's spokeswoman Jody Kawada said the mayor welcomed a partnership on any issue but declined to comment until they knew more about what Blagojevich planned.

City police spokeswoman Monique Bond also said it was too soon to comment on the offer.

But she also took issue with the governor's contention that crime is "out of control" in Chicago. In fact, she said if the current murder rate holds, 2008 would be one of the least deadly years in the city in the last 40 years.

Violent crime has spiked in Chicago recently, however. Nine people were killed in 36 shootings during one weekend this spring and Chicago Public Schools officials say more than two dozen students have been killed by gunfire since last September.

Blagojevich had few details on his offer. Possibilities he mentioned were having state troopers work in lower-crime areas, freeing Chicago police officers for areas with more crime, or making temporary hires of retired city police and state troopers.

Blagojevich said it is far more likely that state troopers would be used than guardsmen. In fact, his office moved quickly after the governor's comments to stress in a news release that Blagojevich was not considering bringing in National Guard troops to the city.

"The only way the National Guard would be involved, if they are involved, is with the use of tactical helicopters that are currently used in narcotics operations," spokesman Lucio Guerrero said in a statement.
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Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Associated Press: Gov. says Guard, state police may help in Chicago

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ccw9mm]

Why not simply allow 5M residents to arm themselves, and the legal freedom (via "castle" and "make my day" statutes) to defend themselves. You'll see an immediate turnaround AND a savings in the state budget, along with zero need to hire one more person onto the public payroll.

[retsupt99]

It's funny that the mayor's rep did not want to make that announcement in public...too dangerous!

Wouldn't IL laws require National Guard to be unarmed?

Stay armed...stay out of IL...stay safe!

[HotGuns]

Why not simply allow 5M residents to arm themselves, and the legal freedom (via "castle" and "make my day" statutes) to defend themselves. You'll see an immediate turnaround AND a savings in the state budget, along with zero need to hire one more person onto the public payroll.

Because then their mobster henchmen would be put at risk.

Besides...there is money to be made in the confusion.

[BAC]

Wouldn't IL laws require National Guard to be unarmed?

If they were a state organization, perhaps exemptions could be made. Since the National Guard is a federal body, they'll act as they please. Illinois doesn't have the same history as some Western states as forcing federal government personnel to abide by their state laws.

Blagojevich is going to be in for a rude awakening... this is practically begging for riots...


-B

[chuck brick]

Why not simply allow 5M residents to arm themselves, and the legal freedom (via "castle" and "make my day" statutes) to defend themselves. You'll see an immediate turnaround AND a savings in the state budget, along with zero need to hire one more person onto the public payroll.

You manage to both ask and to answer the same question in one post.
Political agendas: If politicians actually resolve a problem, they lose a platform that they might use for voting leverage.

A government is much like a living organism; it lives for the sole purpose of consuming to promote it's own growth. If a regulatory agency/government (at any level) does not promote its further growth, it fails to "prove" it's continued value and threatens it's very existance. Like a goldfish, it will continue to grow (if unchecked) to the maximum size that its environment can sustain.

Thus the limitations on government intended by our Founding Fathers. The failure is ours, and our parents' and grandparents'. The remedy is up to us and our children - teach them well or suffer the consequences.

Stay safe,

Chuck Brick.

[cagueits]

If they were a state organization, perhaps exemptions could be made. Since the National Guard is a federal body, they'll act as they please.

Actually the National Guard falls under command of the State's Governor unless federalized. When federalized they are subject to the UCMJ; while on their regular State duties they are subject to whatever State legislation is set up for their discipline.

Down here in Puerto Rico the Guard has been sent out to the streets quite a few times. Some of the most recent were to patrol the streets with regular State Police (i.e. 3 Guardsmans in Humves and a policeman), take over public housing complexes (i.e. cordon the complex and set up checkpoints at the entrances) and provide air support (i.e. insert State Police SWAT on top of targeted buildings), among others.

While running under the State, the State pays salaries and the cost of operation for all personnel/equipment used. When it is federalized, salaries are paid by the US Govmnt, as so are operational costs. As I understand it, unless otherwise stated by State legislation, the Guard can do LE duties as long as it is not federalized (doing LE duties when federalized would go against posse comitatus).

[InspectorGadget]

The National Guard belongs to the Governor of any given state. Once they are turned over to the Federal Gov the are restricted by Posse Comitatus can not do any Law Enforcement in the US. But under the Governor thy can do Law Enforcement.

As an Example, when Katrina hit people kept yelling to Federalize the Louisiana NG. Under Kathleen Blanco they could be armed and help with Law Enforcement, but once they fall under the National chain of command they can no longer do ANY law enforcement for Katrina.

I do not know about IL state law but according to federal law. In the case of Illinois Gov Blagojevich can Mobilize the IL National Guard into Chicago as long as they are under state control. This power was given to the States.

[Arisin Wind]

Soldiers in the streets fighting crime. Sounds like a third world operation.

[matiki]

Latest update here:

Blagojevich Says Chicago Is 'Out Of Control' - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago

Looks like they are proposing State Police on the ground and National Guard Helicopters in the air.

[762]

Wow...why not send in the UN.... another liberal utopia gone to total hell.

[InspectorGadget]

Latest update here:

Blagojevich Says Chicago Is 'Out Of Control' - News Story - WMAQ | Chicago

Looks like they are proposing State Police on the ground and National Guard Helicopters in the air.

There is a poll buried under the link to viewers sound off.

Should cities be able to pass gun-control laws?
Choice Votes Percentage of 2737 Votes
Yes 567 21%
No 2170 79%

[matiki]

There is a poll buried under the link to viewers sound off.

Should cities be able to pass gun-control laws?
Choice Votes Percentage of 2737 Votes
Yes 567 21%
No 2170 79%

Great Find!

Hopefully this will direct link the poll:

Viewers Soundoff On National Guard Proposal - NBC5 News Today Story - WMAQ | Chicago

[Rob P.]

Sounds like Martial Law is headed to Chicago. Doesn't anyone not like the sound of that but me?

[matiki]

Sounds like Martial Law is headed to Chicago. Doesn't anyone not like the sound of that but me?

Charles Bronson?