Pie-in-the-sky view of combating city crime

I wasn't certain if Mr. Noll was tongue in cheek or if he was serious. In either case, he expressed a severe lack of knowledge of Chicago geography and a pie-in-the-sky solution to crime and inequities in the city.

His first idea was to reduce by 75% the police presence in the South and West sides. Police deployment in each of its districts is based on crime statistics and calls for police service. These districts are already staffed 24/7/365; additional staffing is also in the presence of various investigative, tactical and support units. Over the years, CPD has utilized patrol task forces, special operations units and rapid response units to certain areas experiencing high volume incidents. Illegal firearms have been their successful focus. The reality is that the city can't rob Peter to pay Paul; each district is unique and has a need for certain patrol units based on calls for service.

Always remember, a police department is the ONLY city agency on the street all day, all night, every day, all year. Like many of the public, quality of life is enhanced when all services of a city or town are fairly and proportionately provided on a continuing and regular basis. The police aren't the bad guy here. They are the first to respond to clean up society's mess. Mr. Noll and all who think such a simple solution is workable are forgetting we live in a complex world and solutions are also complex.

Michael Dunne

Naperville