You would
think that a city like East Louis with a reputation for crime would
thank God for a scandal-free, well-respected and amply qualified
police chief.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Police Chief Ranadore Foggs seemed to fit the bill as a retired Illinois State Police captain, a pastor and a political outsider who was well respected within the law enforcement community.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But, according to sources, that might have been the very reason why Chief Foggs is out and ESL Mayor Alvin Parks Jr. is “actively looking” for his replacement.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In the event that you haven’t been able to follow the game of musical chairs regarding the ouster of Chief Foggs, here’s the latest summary. Hopefully you can keep up.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Two weeks ago, Chief Foggs verbally resigned to Mayor Parks, citing “philosophical differences.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The following week, during a City Council meeting, Foggs reversed his decision and said that he didn’t “plan to go anywhere.” You could almost hear Jennifer Hudson singing, “And I am telling I’m not going” in the background.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>During that same meeting, Parks attempted to force City Manager Deletra Hudson into announcing Foggs’ replacement. Hudson responded that, in fact, Foggs was still chief.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Meanwhile, Mayor Parks attempted to run interference with KMOV-TV reporters by announcing that he had accepted Foggs’ verbal resignation and intended to replace him.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In fact, the front page of the ESL Monitor newspaper, on that same day, announced that former Chief Michael Baxton had been rehired as police chief.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The next day City Manager Hudson, probably realizing that Parks had enough City Council votes to fire her for going against his political wishes, announced that she had accepted Chief Foggs’ resignation and that Bobby Cole would serve as the interim police chief.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>But let’s backtrack for a moment. What were the so-called “philosophical differences” that led to the schism between Mayor Parks and Chief Foggs?
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>According to ESL City Councilman Delbert Marion, who appeared as a guest on my radio show, Mayor Parks is an alleged “micromanager” who, despite Chief Foggs extensive police experience versus Parks’ complete ignorance in that area, attempted to dictate Foggs’ scheduling of manpower as well as routinely answered police calls.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Marion
made those
accusations publicly, drawing applause, during the recent ESL City
Council meeting, as Parks sat silently.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>This begs the question: doesn’t Parks have enough to do (as mayor) without ruining the ESL police department? Apparently not.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>It’s common knowledge that Parks has allowed night clubs with a history of shootings and deaths to remain open and retain their liquor licenses, compounding the difficulties of the ESLPD.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Now he attempts to harass a good chief into resigning in order to bring back Michael Baxton, who was forced to resign amid scandal regarding the hiring of police officers with checkered backgrounds. This also included allegations of Baxton’s own criminal past (complete with mug shots) as covered by KMOV-TV reporter Craig Cheatham.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In a city in which law enforcement is so crucial, Parks should leave the decision-making to the experts.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>If you like my column then you’ll love my radio show, “Listen Up” with James Ingram, each and every Friday from 7-8 p.m. on WGNU-920am radio. Listen in and call in. I’d love to hear from you. “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com
