Comments on: Cops Spray Angry Crowd

By: Insider

Insider — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 12:12:41 +0000

Folks, here’s a small example of the larger problem with the Guardian.

Incorrect facts.

The Loft isn’t at 622 Main. In fact, it’s not even on Main Street.

It’s on Idaho Street. No, it didn’t move for the night. Nor did the kind folks on the street naming committee swap the names for the two boulevards for the evening/early morning.

The Loft is located at 622 West Idaho – which is the location of Saturday’s near-dousing.

EDITOR NOTE–I’ve been here 38 years and still get Main and Idaho Mixed up! Thanks Insider, we fixed it.

By: kip wills

kip wills — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:24:48 +0000

Everyone: Although I may not always agree with each and everyone of you I appreciate the ability to interact and see how the law abiding majority of you feel on issues. Truly, we as public servants need to know how the people feel on issues to be effective.

That does not mean that we can always fix problems but we are better officers if we are informed. Tam asks about the new “CSO” issue. Several local agencies utilize a similar program to help their sworn officers with tasks that can be handled by nonsworn personnel. Nampa and Garden City are 2 examples. Will free officers time? We’ll have to see, at least city hall is trying something as they recognize our severe staffing issues. I would love to see planned development payment for services and think thats a great option I will research.

If anyone has legitimate concerns or questions, I would be glad to at least give you my perspective as a second generation Idaho cop and union president here. My union email is located at http://www.boisepolice.net and send us your thoughts and questions. Again, thanks to all for this great forum and your thoughts.

EDITOR NOTE–We would like to have the Chief or his commanders weigh in here as well like the Mayor of Star has done.

By: Tam

Tam — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 01:07:26 +0000

I love George’s idea brought home from Atlanta. But take it one step further. What we need is a platoon of grandmas. I remember going to a party, DECADES ago, at the home of a family friend. This was a teenager party while the parents were out of town. The parents had left the 84 year old grandmother in charge. She was sitting at the dining room table sipping a beer most of the evening. The thing I remember most was the decorum of those in attendance. They were quieter, more respectful, they took their shoes off, and kept the music softer. Grandma didn’t have to DO anything…her mere presence created an atmosphere of respect, even in a bunch of headbangin’ teenagers.

Maybe the Granny brigade could cruise the downtown in golf carts reminding those who might otherwise drink too much, cast the F-bomb too often and be inclined to brawl in the streets, that Granny is watching. Who needs big brother or the cops?

By: curious george

curious george — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 22:31:58 +0000

I agree with everything Gordon and Dave Krick have written. It isn’t outdoor dining establishments, art gallery openings, or indoor theater alcohol consumption that contribute to drunken hooliganism. The more reasonable adults and families there are downtown, the more eyes there are on the street. With that kind of public observation going on, the rate of violence would drop immensely.

Officer Wills should look at what Ada County has instituted in processing Planned Communities – regarding maintaining appropriate police levels of service. With a desire to ensure consistent officer presence, the county assesses a one-time fee on top of EVERY building permit issued. This generates enough money to make up for any potential budget shortfalls that could be experienced by normal delays in property value appreciation and tax collection. If Boise were to adopt such a mitigation mechanism it might slow down land speculation by out-of-stater’s, and generate enough money to improve over-stressed public services.

Last year I visited Atlanta (no, the one in Georgia). During it’s version of First Thursday, the city implements an all-volunteer street consierge service. These volunteers help the public by providing directions, passing out maps and answering general questions about the various evening events. If Atlanta can do this, and on streets quite a bit more “scary” than Boise’s, I can’t see why Boise can’t do the same. Granted, it would be hard to get a descent Idahoan to wear the white Bermuda shorts and pith helmets worn by the volunteers in Atlanta 😉 But, the Parks Department seems to do well with its volunteer Greenbelt patrols (though I’m not sure these geriatric volunteers could be counted on to roll the cruise strip in their golf carts – but its fun imagining)…

Head ’em up, move ’em out

By: Gordon

Gordon — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 20:14:37 +0000

Someone please remind me:
With frequent fights, stabbings etc. related to indoor bars, why are the various lawmakers, cop-types etc. spending their time worrying about outside drinking, having a glass of wine while watching at movie at the Flicks, and those horrid art galleries that let visitors sip a glass of wine while viewing paintings, sculptures, etc.?
Do they figure if they cut out the drinking in restaurant patios, movies and art galleries, they could cram even more people into the indoor bars and maybe make them so crowded nobody would have room to move his arms enough to pull a knife or gun?
Or are they just totally out of touch with reality (and, if so, WHAT have they been drinking?

By: Sisyphus

Sisyphus — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 19:57:26 +0000

I agree John. Boise has come a long way since the rash of police shootings in the late 90’s. I think the police should be commended for maintaining this level of professionalism just as they should have been, and were, criticized for not using every reasonable option available to avoid bloodshed and lethal force.

I think the Ombudsman oversight helped significantly and my hat is still off to Mr. Murphy for achieving the level of respect he enjoys in what had to have been a thankless task. It has resulted in more Andy Taylors and fewer Barney Fife’s on patrol. I understand there are some nitpiks with the police and what happened that night but I for one am grateful nobody is unexpectedly planning a funeral as a result.

By: Tam

Tam — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:07:32 +0000

Kip,
I understand the Police Dept just announced a new “program” to keep more officers doing “officer” work, by hiring CSOs or Community Service Officers (I guess that’s different than Crime Scene Officers). These will be/are civilian positions and purportedly will be easier to fill. How is this different than the old “Telephone Report Unit”? I recall that was begun with the same end objective; to allow sworn staff to do the priority work and have the report unit handle filing and reporting of stolen items, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I think its a good idea, just not a new one.

By: john

john — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 17:19:28 +0000

This seems to be a very isolated event that has everyone worked up into a tizzy about the “mean streets of downtown Boise.” Please. Downtown is rediculously safe, at pretty much any hour of the day or night. Relax. In some places, a stabbing or shooting or fight happens just about every weekend.

By: kip wills

kip wills — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:26:16 +0000

Kate, I would assume you refer to the southwest annexations?…You are absolutely right, it takes over 12 months to hire, train and get a police officer working on their own, so even when the city “suddenly” was springing for 6 additional officers to work that area (just after the annexation) you were already over a year away. There seems to be no preplanning for police services to these areas and then we at the PD are held accountable to “make it work”. I apologize but we are trying with the resources we do have.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 02:11:59 +0000

If the Boise PD is so short-handed, could it be because they force annex county areas just to get more tax dollars, without having the man power to provide city services to these areas. ( and no plan!) With all the extra tax money the last annexation provides, they should have a surplus of officers. Since we have been annexed there has been no visible police patrols in this area! We used to see sheriffs drive through often.