Thursday, September 27, 2007

Crackdown

Score one for the DPD last night.

Of course, after I typed up the following, I went to QCTimes.com and found this excellent article that summarizes what happened better than I did. (Score one for the mainstream media) According to the article over 70 law enforcement officers were involved.

Police arrest 12 in Centennial Bridge sting -QCTimes

I don't know if it was related to the pizza delivery guy getting shot last night, but there were more cops on the street last night than any time I can remember. In addition to the usual beat cops, I'd say I heard at least 15 other cops referred to by badge number. There was a checkpoint set up at the bottom of the Centennial for a few hours, which nabbed a ton of people. I heard them say one car was going 71 over the bridge. The DPD had a OWI team set up to process drunk drivers, and I heard at least 3 people get nailed for that. One person told me they saw at least 20 law enforcement officers near the bottom of the Centennial, including Iowa State Patrol. The jail must have had to bring in extra people too, because a lot of folks were getting sent there.

It would cost a fortune, but imagine the message it would send to the thugs and career criminals if we did this every night for a month or two. Good job to whoever was in charge of last night's operation.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the new tower will be 20+ stories, see qconline article
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=355948

QuadCityImages said...

But I want to know what happens to the current KONE tower after they move. Its not like its useful for anything but elevator testing.

Anonymous said...

Where will the Christmas tree go?

QuadCityImages said...

Exactly! Although I guess on top of the new building.

Anonymous said...

Property exchange is a part of the deal. I wonder if the Kone property is where the future bridge will go. If so, are the new owners looking for condemnation dollars?

QuadCityImages said...

The plan I saw shows the bridge going upstream of the current KONE tower.

Anonymous said...

What is currently up there in the 'square'? It would be cool to have some type of public lookout/restaurant space up there.

Anonymous said...

I think the recent crackdown is a reflectionof the new police chief - Schaeffer. Since he started - we have NETS at 14th and Gaines and the bridge crackdown.

Schaeffer hopefully will be our new chief permenantly.

Snarky Chick said...

I'm not sure that a couple of weeks is indicative of someone's abilities and I'm not going to run off calling for Schaeffer to be permanent chief, but I *have* noticed an increased presence of police in several areas around town that need them. No time yet to see what the officers think of him either.

I am impressed with this crackdown though. I'm glad he's not sitting back considering he was appointed as a temporary measure.

Anonymous said...

It really demonstrates how ineffective Bladel was. Go Don.

Anonymous said...

I live by 14th and Gaines and I tell you something - if you are a drug dealer - stay out of the area. They know who you are and they don't want you there. The DPD and the homeowners there are kicking ass and taking names. I am serious. The FISH apartments was completely nuisance abated - no lie - totally - all the no good loser tenants are out of there. Thank God. Maybe they should move next to their landlord in Bettendorf. There are a few others who were abated as well. These landlords better watch out - there tenants drug businesses out of the rentals are going to be coming to a halt and guess what? - no more rent. The baby momma's welfare check won't pay the rent - and with no drug deals, equals no rent money. Sorry. See ya!

Keep it coming Shaeffer - you are a saviour. Hopefully the no good Malin hasn't hired some other ineffective leader like himself to replace Bladel. Malin thrives on ineffective staff.

Anonymous said...

Now the city needs to retract Lynn's "rent to own" ordinance. The nuisance abatement is used on rental properties and not owner occupied houses. Where do you think all these drug dealers moved to? They now are renting to own!

Anonymous said...

No kidding - I agree. Never ending. We need some real leaders down there.

Anonymous said...

I disagree because legal has said repeatedly that the nuisance ordinance still applies to rent to own!

Anonymous said...

Yep and the city legal dept continues to say they actualy nuisance abate our drug houses when they don't. Nice try. Ineffective dept and a waste of money.

Anonymous said...

I was under the impression that the Kone tower was only partially for elevator testing, and was largely built to be a bit "I" for "Illini" because the family that owned Montgomery Elevators were huge Illinois fans.

Anonymous said...

Actually, they are Notre Dame Fans. On Top is a board room. Best view in town.

Anonymous said...

The Mont. Tower is a testing site for elevator parts and also a "party place" for the upper crust. Great view, the tower sways and the elevator breaks down frequently. I was in it about 1/3 way down when it did. Scarey!