Baiting criminals sensible approach
Dear Editor: I was dumfounded by an Associated Press article in the Aug. 10 Daily Courier on page A7: “Chicago, railroad police criticized for using ‘bait trucks.’”
Bait vehicles are often used by law enforcement in areas where thefts of such vehicles or the contents are common. Allegedly, three people were arrested as they broke into a sealed and locked freight truck on the property of the Norfolk Southern Railway in the Englewood neighbourhood on the south side of Chicago.
These arrests were criticized by an alderman as and “unacceptable and inappropriate use of police resources.” The American Civil Liberties Union stated: “Chicago police should focus on building trust and better relationships within the communities they serve, not engage in stunts like bait trucks.”
Entrapment is alleged. Yet, most judicial definitions of entrapment cite “seduction of the innocent mind.”
If a person trespasses upon railroad property and is equipped with burglary tools such as bolt cutters, the person is hardly of an innocent mind.
The use of bait vehicles is a sound police tactic.
I grew up on the south side of Chicago and still have family ties there. I began my police career in a south suburb. Thus, I am familiar with the geography of the area and the typical criminal activity.
Unless a Canadian has spent some time in the large American cities, he or she is generally quite naive about what routinely happens there. It is quite scary.
The Englewood area is rife with gang and drug activity.
Chicago is one of the leading homicide capitals in the United States, and much of this involves gangland shootings .
I am not exaggerating when I state that if you chose to walk through this area, especially at night, you would doubtless become a victim of a violent crime.
The AP story stated that “an arrest report from the incident says Chicago Police have been working with railroad police to crack down on thefts from freight containers in rail yards, especially gun thefts.”
Chicago Police have partnered with railroad police to target cargo thefts. Firearms are often part of the loot.
Doesn’t it follow that, if police reduce the thefts of firearms, keeping stolen weapons off the street, the lives of some young black males will be spared?
Yet, police are criticized for “wasting resources” and not “building trust.”
This is typical of the left-wing politicians who would rather blame “society” for the problems, than support the arrest of criminals and address real-time measures that save lives?
The superintendent of Chicago Police, a black man, should be commended for a pro-active community policing initiative.
Chicago enacted some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, yet all this has done is to make it difficult for lawabiding citizens in high crime areas to have a means of self-defence. The gangsters certainly don’t heed the laws.
Recently, Managing Editor James Miller wrote Chicago is a great place to visit. I heartily concur. There are a lot of great activities and safe neighbourhoods. But, gentle traveller, you better know where not to take your evening stroll.
Bob Sherman, Kelowna