Halloween night festivities for East St. Louis were much like that of any other community: children went in search of candy, and church and community activities were coordinated to provide a safe evening for all.
However, for East Boogie, what most people were oblivious to was the dearth of police protection, which potentially, could have been disastrous.
As of October 28, the East St. Louis Police Department temporarily lost eight police officers due to budget cuts designed to balance the budget. However, the coverage on Halloween night was deplorable, with only one police officer on patrol for the entire city.
I spoke with several ESL police officers during an informational picket in front of City Hall on November 2, who confirmed the rumors.
In fact, I viewed a copy of the actual police log for the evening of October 31and could hardly believe what I saw: one officer on duty, one officer listed as being “on vacation,” no desk sergeant and no jailer.
That means if an arrest had to be made, the lone patrolman would have had to arrest, transport, book and jail that prisoner without assistance.
It should also be noted that the lone patrolman on Halloween night had to be paid overtime, which defeats the whole purpose of the police layoffs/ budget cuts.
When I spoke with City Manager Alvin Parks, as well as Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks, they both seemed to agree that budget cuts were necessary, though the mayor was oblivious to the circumstances of Halloween night.
And I’m certain that if I’m aware of the lack of police coverage, then the criminal element in and around East Boogie are equally aware, and for all the wrong reasons.
The question, then, becomes how long will ESL and its leadership allow the citizen’s safety to be placed in jeopardy with this makeshift “Mayberry-like” police coverage for a community which is vastly more dangerous and lethal than anything than Deputy Barney Fife or Sheriff Andy Taylor ever encountered?
It’s not a matter of if, but when a policeman will become overwhelmed, ambushed or, God forbid, killed because of the malfeasance of our elected officials.
Public safety must become a priority when it comes to East Boogie. Had the city council not undermined the voters (and homeboy, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin) by appointing Alvin Parks as city manager (after he lost the mayor’s seat) then, perhaps, they could appeal to Senator Durbin for federal funds to bail out the police department. But don’t count on that happening as long as Parks remains city manager.
Meanwhile, some combination of Illinois State Troopers, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and other resources should be pursued as we approach the holiday season and a period in which crime annually increases.
The other option: anarchy, and that East Boogie can least afford if it is ever to turn the corner economically.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com; Twitter@JamesTIngram.
