Heads and tales: Stick 'em up
By Wade Kwon
Crime declares victory in war on crime: Southside is under siege, and the cops are twiddling their thumbs. “Once you leave the main area, you’re more open to someone waiting for a person to commit a crime of opportunity on you on the way back to your car. My advice is carry just a little bit of money, and give it up if someone asks for it. It doesn’t take much. Five dollars is enough for a small crack rock or a cheap beer over at Raymond’s Market.” Whose suggestion is this? Sigh. A cop’s suggestion.
Story 2 | Story 3 | Story 4
• A Thin Blue Line [Black and White]
Making a killing: And the homicide rate in Birmingham has skyrocketed. Only 55 murders by this time in 2004, but 86 this year. And counting.
• Birmingham’s Homicide Total For ’05 Now At 86 [Associated Press]
Oops! Their bad: Not only did a West End couple in their 70s face a screwed-up police raid at their house — it was a raid by Hoover cops. What, are Birmingham cops so busy missing out on crime that they have to outsource?!
• Couple sue Hoover over police raid [Birmingham News]
Also:
- Katrina evacuees’ trailers removed by eminent domain for new strip mall
- Paintball players gunned down during deer hunt in park
- City Hall undergoes renovation to accommodate mentally challenged councilors
Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 1:35 am
Most of those who know my wife and I see the same similarities as I in one of those robbery accounts. And we haven’t been back to the Garage since. And won’t go until the owners are willing to do something about their obvious crime problem.
After this series of stories, I’ll be even more carefeul when going anywhere in Southside.
I guess when business starts falling off in that part of town, the business owners will be willing to do something. I’m willing to bet it will be way too late at that point.
Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 6:21 pm
At least a couple of them hired off-duty cops. It’s a start, but it’ll take a full community effort to turn the tide.