If I’ve learned one thing, over the years, in covering East St. Louis “poli-tricks” it’s that no matter how bad you screw up, how criminal you are, how much time you’ve served or how inept you may be, you can always land another job in good old “East Boogie” if the right politicians like you.
That seems to be what happened for former ESL policeman Ricky Perry. You remember Perry. He’s the ex-cop who was discovered passed out behind the wheel of his squad car by Belleville police back in 2007. He’s the same guy whose questionable reputation caused a judge to dismiss murder charges against a defendant back in 2009.
Most recently, Perry resigned from the ESLPD back in April, amid an investigation into allegations that Perry showed up drunk to take a burglary report.
Now, a mere six months later, Perry has been rehired by … wait for it … the East St. Louis Park District.
The five-member park district board, led by park district director Irma Golliday, voted to swear him in based upon recommendations received by the chief of park district police, Marion Hubbard.
His duties will include patrolling ESL parks, a known haven for flagrant blunt- smoking and public intoxication. Piece of cake, right?
According to Golliday, Perry will spend the next six months volunteering before becoming a paid officer at $10 an hour.
What about any lingering questions regarding Perry’s credibility? Golliday dismisses those concerns, stating that “he had some personal issues that needed to be addressed, and has done that.”
I remember similar things being said about former ESL city official Kelvin Ellis, an extortionist who was rehired by the city of ESL.
Where’s Ellis now? Right back in federal prison for obstruction of justice, tax evasion, pimping women from ESL City Hall and attempting to have a federal witness murdered. So much for reform.
Of course, Ricky Perry is no murderer, but the principle is the same. East St. Louis remains a revolving door of infinite opportunity for political miscreants.
So, no worries. Hopefully, Ricky Perry finally has gotten his act together. But if he hasn’t, so what? There’s always the ESL school board or the ESL Township or the ESL Board of Elections or ESL City Hall. Remember, East Boogie always takes care of those who least deserve a second, third or fourth chance.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
