Witness for the Plaintiff

We just received this police report from Palos Hills, Illinois. The case involves a little girl who was getting an ice cream from an ice cream truck which had its "Stop - Children" sign activated. Unfortunately, a passing motorist didn't heed the sign and struck the child as she crossed the street to a park.

The police arrived and took statements from various witnesses in the area. Note the police officer's note regarding witness number 3. Click on the image for a larger view.

Apparently, the police officer didn't think that blindness prevented the witness from "witnessing" the accident. Sure, a witness has other faculties at his or her disposal. One can testify that the car "sounded like its engine was racing" or "I could feel a strong breeze from the car as it went by". Maybe the blind witness could even testify he or she heard the child "fly into the tree"; however, when it comes to describing the operation of a passing car and giving an exact speed, I would think that vision would be a requirement.

Should be interesting.

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place...

...if it's the last thing we ever do.

Tonight around 10 p.m. there was some loud yelling down by the entryway. As the weather gets warmer the COPS refugees come out. The chunky girl who lives on our floor was out with her shirtless boyfriend who is either a total jackass or drunk or both. The yelling went on for about a half hour when apparently someone yelled at him to shut up. He yelled back and stormed around in a classic white trash rant.

Eventually, he wound up swinging on a light pole like a stripper until he got bored with that and decided to kick the pole until it broke. That's when I decided to call the sheriff's department. Someone else had already reported it and units were en route.

Just before they arrived, the "perps" disappeared in the darkness. But being loud and obnoxious, they couldn't conceal themselves for long. The boyfriend was caught in the lobby of the building and the girlfriend ran to her condo unit only to be quickly tracked down. I should note the deputies were very polite.

It looked like one of the other residents rode off with the police to make a report but they didn't arrest the hillbillies. I have no idea why not but I intend to find out. In any event, within 15 minutes of the deputies leaving, the rednecks were back outside. This time yelling at each other. They apparently left the side door of the building out where my cars were parked. I swear if there is anything wrong with my cars in the morning, there will be hell to pay.

Kerry and I so need to get out of this complex before the white trash element completely take it over. We really need the neighbors wrecking the place while we're trying to get ready to sell.

Lawsuit: Cops shot my dog!

February 21, 2007, 5:51 PM CST

A Chicago man who says police shot and killed his dog last year while chasing a fleeing suspect filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city and two police officers.Calvin Hale, 68, alleges he was in his backyard when a police officer ran into the yard and stumbled on his 10-year-old Akita, Lady.

"The next I know, I heard a shot, and she started to holler," Hale said Wednesday. " I told [the police officer] 'You shot my dog,' and he just kept running."

The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2006, Hale said.Hale said his dog had no history of biting or bad behavior. The lawsuit filed in Cook County (Illinois) Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages of more than $50,000. City officials offered to pay Hale for the dog, but could not reach an agreement on the amount, Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle said. She declined to comment on the lawsuit. Hale's attorney, Amy Breyer of Chicago, is one of a small number of lawyers who specialize in animal-related cases and sometimes seek to expand the reach of animal law.Breyer said police could not shoot a child in the yard without justification, and "my feeling is it's not acceptable with non-human family members" either.

Article by Michael J. Higgins, Chicago Tribune staff reporter