My suggestion to end the string of unprovoked attacks in Champaign-Urbana
I myself do not own a firearm, but I am issuing this as a suggestion to any white male reading this post that does own a gun. I suggest that, after midnight, you visit one of the areas where these recent attacks have occurred. I suggest that you walk alone or, at most, in pairs. I suggest that you carry your gun with you, and that if any group of thugs lays a hostile finger on you that you reach for your weapon as soon as it is safe to do so and that you blow each and every one of them away.
I cannot accept that there are people in this community who think it is acceptable to violently assault their fellow man for no other reason than sport, and it is time to send a clear message that such behavior can, and will, have severe consequences.
Bernard Goetz is irreverent
Bernard Goetz is irreverent to this issue. However his situation turned out does not guarantee the same results from someone else carrying a firearm illegally. And despite the result from this case, New York still does not have much of concealed carry law. You can only carry with approval and that approval will only come after a review that has determined you have a need of extraordinary circumstances. Champaign and New York City in the 80’s are world’s apart from each other and firearms are not the right solution here and now to this problem. Not to mention what caused NYC’s drop in crime rate was an analysis of the situation and taking the correct approach to turn things around, which in their case was a zero tolerance policing policy.
I’m all for concealed carry laws in Illinois [with serious regulations], however it is not going to happen anytime soon and therefore is not a viable solution to the battle the problem in the now. First off conceal to carry is illegal so striking fear in attackers over the fact there is a good possibility of the victim carrying a weapon is out the question. Most people are not going to be carrying a weapon, and even if a few do take it up, it wont be enough of a percentage to have that effect.
Let’s analyze the situation. Most of these attacks are “sneak attacks.” The person has been struck before they knew it was coming, meaning they did not have time to brace for the attack. Dumbfounded, what good is a gun going to do if he has already been rendered vulnerable? (and not to mention if he goes for his gun, in that state, its setting himself up for the gun to possibly get in the hands of the attackers) And some of the attacks are “run by,” they attack and are gone before the victim can get a bearing of the situation. Let’s say a person is illegally carrying a gun for protection, attackers sneak up behind and give the victim a blow to the back of the head. Very likely to put the person on the ground, but let’s say this person has fast reflexes and is able to get his gun out despite the sudden incapacitation. The likelihood of a shot fired to hit its target in this circumstance is not that great… you have to be one hell of a shot. Possibility, you shoot and instead your bullet hits and kills an innocent bystander. I doubt you will have the same results as Bernard Goetz when you go to trial (manslaughter is very likely) and not to mention the dead bystander’s family has a solid case to sue the living crap out of you. A gun just isn’t a good option considering the nature of the attacks that are happening. And if it was legal to carry, in these circumstances of the pattern of attacks, not much opportunity is warranted to be able to brandish a gun to deter that threat in the first place. Illegally arming the citizens is not a way to go. We have to think beyond force.
There was one attack mentioned that as he was getting the crap beat out of him, there were other citizens present, but did nothing, just kept walking. I doubt all these people are so uncaring as that would make them out to be, my guess is they think it’s a personal dispute and would not want to get involved. This screams lack of awareness of this issue. If people are aware of what is going on, I’m not saying they should jump right in there, but they can identify it, prompting a quick call to the police. Our best defense is our eyes, awareness, and community support. We far out number the police and we let the attackers know we are out there, we know, and we are on the look out.
These thugs are in fact
These thugs are in fact terrorizing the local citizenry and their success might just encourage more of the same from other thugs. Fear, in and of itself, is a powerful tool. Is this the future? Honest, law-abiding citizens afraid to walk home from a local ballgame? My, how far we have devolved as a society.
It's going to be very difficult for the police to be pro-active in this situation. If they don't catch the perps committing the act they'll leave themselves open to a class-action lawsuit. And if the perps are committing the act, that means that someone is getting the tar beat out of them.
An armed citizenry is not the answer? I beg to differ. The opposite has been proven in all 48 states that allow 'concealed carry.' Not knowing who is carrying a weapon is a deterrent in itself. Brandishing a weapon will also make the perps think twice.
As far as 'illegally' carrying a weapon and using it to defend ones' self, google 'Bernard Goetz' sometime.
I find it hard to believe
I find it hard to believe that with the number of these attacks that have occurred, that NO ONE has witnessed these things going on and can give a decent description of the attackers. Sure - one or two occurrences in dark, out of the way areas I could understand, but these attacks are happening all over the area, and the only people who seem to know anything about what happened are the victims. People need to start paying attention, looking out their windows, checking their streets, etc. No one knows when/where this is going to happen again, but one thing for sure is that these punks won't get caught if there are no witnesses, or better yet - anyone else around to jump on these guys when it's occurring and give them some of their own medicine.
I understand your frustration
I understand your frustration but please do not put that suggestion of carrying a weapon in anybodys heads. First off it is illegal to carry a firearm and whether it was meant for good intentions or not, it can have dire consequence for the carryer. And second it is very likely that having a firearm can make the situation worse. I doubt most people who own a gun have the necessary trained defensive tactics and could very likely put themselves in a situation in which the attacker takes possession of the firearm. Not only are they now in a very bad situation but the attacker now has himself a gun for future purposes. And if civilians start fighting back against these attackers and arming themselves it could very well be the attackers will amp up their efforts of violence in response.
I'm sure police are taking this matter seriously and it is quite possible they have taken the approach of not making their full efforts available to the public. The last thing police want are the criminals they are trying to catch knowing their every move.
As far as what the public can do... In the effected areas set up a neighborhood watch and have residents and businesses keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Organize a meeting to get this going as well as contact the police department and request an officer to attend. I'm sure they will be more than willing to do so.
As far as when guys are out, make sure to avoid going out alone, keep your eye out and be alert... If you are uneasy, get out of the area and situation as soon as possible and if you really want to be armed, carry pepperspray.
I guess I would have to
I guess I would have to question why the police aren't doing what you are suggesting themselves. They often have female officers set up prostitution stings, so I wonder why there is no talk of having white, male undercover officers walk around as bait. It seems too dangerous a task for the average civilian and it is certainly also not our responsibilty to put ourselves in harm's way. I apologize if the police are actually out there doing what I suggested. I have not heard or read anything to indicate that they are. Perhaps if word got out that the police were acting undercover, it would deter further attacks. I agree that this has got to stop. Thank you.
I hope that they are out
I hope that they are out there undercover and these senseless attacks stop. But if they are not out there I know 1 of the reasons why. If they had to pull a gun on these poor unfortunate boys, the Champaign PD would come under fire again for doing their job. The words, "STOP!!!POLICE!!!" have no meaning any more. That is a shame !
While I, like all other
While I, like all other citizens, am appalled and frightened by the recent rash of unprovoked violence in our cities, I just cannot agree that seeking a fight and bringing firearms into that fight is a productive measure to end these attacks.
When someone chooses to use a gun, they make that choice for everyone around them. Whether or not someone has had the training needed for their FOID card, pulling a gun in the midst of a scuffle, when not a highly trained gunman, is a recipe for disaster.
Men need to be smart and understand that they currently are being targeted, just like women are on a regular basis. Don't walk alone, call a friend for a ride, call a cab... MTD's Safe Rides will pick you up. Don't put yourself in a position to become a victim until these men are caught. Be smart, be alert.
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