The Observation Deck

Last night I was working on some paperwork until 2:00am, listening to the police scanner I could not help but overhear that the police had pulled over a car on I-90. While the officer ran the plate, and the id from the 4 individuals inside the car. It came back with 2 felony warrants for assault.

The Avon Lake officer then called for backup as it became obvious he was on the short side of help. As the minutes passed, and he called again, one officer mentioned he would be there in about ten minutes. The call went out to other cities, but they were busy.

Suddenly the officer mentioned the two criminals got out of the car walked in different directions and disappeared over the fence into a development. As the officer already had the car pulled over, he could not give chase.

No problem, the one officer was only 6 minutes away, and a Bay Village officer would be available in about 15 minutes. As the first officer arrived, the other mentioned they went into the bushes looking for the suspects but found nothing. The officer then drove to the complex and could not see anything on the other side of the fence. They thought there was rustling in the bushes but were waiting for more police. As minutes turned into hours, the two were still in the car being watched, and the criminals could not be found.

The illusion of safer in the burbs is just that, and illusion.


peace

Well then we've got some contenders for the next opening to play Vegas as the headliner for Master of Illusion. The tricks being used to convince us that crime is not on the rise in Lakewood and that we shouldn't be concerned are simply magical.
I feel like I'm watching Frank Drebin in Naked Gun or the Kevin Bacon character in Animal House.... there's nothing to see here- all is well!!!!

Shawn Juris wrote:Well then we've got some contenders for the next opening to play Vegas as the headliner for Master of Illusion. The tricks being used to convince us that crime is not on the rise in Lakewood and that we shouldn't be concerned are simply magical.
I feel like I'm watching Frank Drebin in Naked Gun or the Kevin Bacon character in Animal House.... there's nothing to see here- all is well!!!!

Shawn

I thought you had mentioned that the numbers culd be used hundreds of ways?

When I look at the raw data I see more calls, but less "crime" in the sense we need to worry.

But back to the simple point I was trying to make.

Buglaries are on the rise in Westlake, Bay, Rocky River. much faster rate than inner ring suburbs.

You cannot run, actually the farther you run, the worse it is. Stats from over a decade ago, showed that you have a much higher chance of being involved in a violent crime in the country than the city.

That is the illusion my friend.


.

I agree that there is no such thing as a "greener" pasture. Fleeing to escape crime just doesn't work since crime is everywhere. People's illusions that it's safer in Westlake, Bay, or Pepper Pike is just not reality.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try harder in Lakewood to stop as much crime as we can. That's why I appreciate all the efforts by Colleen, Sue, Diane, Tom and others to start block watches. I also appreciate Ed's efforts at gathering the community to discuss safety issues.

Lakewood has always done great things when we pull together as a community.

When I was a kid avon lake and sheffield lake were known as an extra county of West Virginia...

The Lakeside 10 apartment complex was called a vertical trailer park...

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I agree that there is no such thing as a "greener" pasture. Fleeing to escape crime just doesn't work since crime is everywhere. People's illusions that it's safer in Westlake, Bay, or Pepper Pike is just not reality.

But that doesn't mean we shouldn't try harder in Lakewood to stop as much crime as we can. That's why I appreciate all the efforts by Colleen, Sue, Diane, Tom and others to start block watches. I also appreciate Ed's efforts at gathering the community to discuss safety issues.

Lakewood has always done great things when we pull together as a community.

Bryan

I agree that the city needs to be pulled together. This is one reason why the Observer was formed. I always point out, that many of the first 100 members were people that were on opposite sides of the WestEnd debacle.

This was from me reaching out and begging them to give it a try. Most have and the city is better for it. Yesterday we had Mary Anne Crampton and Lynn Farris posting! The sales pitch was simple and truthful. One name, one voice, if there were 100 "topics" in Lakewood, we would agree on 80% of them. Let's address the ones we agree on and then come back to the divisive ones.

However, this election cycle has once again been divisive far more than it should have been. Last night I heard something so sickening, by a campaign worker, that I was ready to kick his ass. Basically, "we have been campaigning on safety from the beginning, that shooting the other night was like a gift from heaven. If he pulls through, and we win we should help pay his hospital bills."

This was a worker who I liked, lives outside the city, but comes in to help!

I will be so glad when this election cycle is over.


.

Jim O'Bryan wrote: I will be so glad when this election cycle is over.

You and me both. Elections always bring out the worst in people.

Jim O'Bryan wrote:I will be so glad when this election cycle is over.

I agree Jim. Hyper-political times bring so much tension, miscommunication (like my recent interaction with Dan Shields), wrong assumptions, and general divisiveness.

This seems to very much be the case in this year's election cycle. I think the cause is the great passion of the people of Lakewood which can be both a blessing and curse. The good thing is that history has shown time and time again that when all is said and done, we do a great job, better than any, at pulling back together as community to move the brand forward.

Wow Jim! I give you a couple of stock tips and now you are to good for Lakewood I hope that you like particle board....

Bryan Schwegler wrote:This seems to very much be the case in this year's election cycle. I think the cause is the great passion of the people of Lakewood which can be both a blessing and curse. The good thing is that history has shown time and time again that when all is said and done, we do a great job, better than any, at pulling back together as community to move the brand forward.

Bryan

A recent conversation over coffee with friends. We used to wonder who was best to lead the city and the wards forward in the next 4-8 years.

Two nights ago it became. Which candidate can fix the damage they have caused during their run for office the fastest?

When I was working in other cities the past year, everyone was amazed at how intune the city was with itself. They read the Observer, came to town, shopped and even looked for homes.

This week two of the cities I am working with asked about the LARGE CRIME WAVE hitting Lakewood!

MAKES ME SICK!

peace



.

Bryan Schwegler wrote:I think the cause is the great passion of the people of Lakewood which can be both a blessing and curse. The good thing is that history has shown time and time again that when all is said and done, we do a great job, better than any, at pulling back together as community to move the brand forward.

Bryan - I could not agree with you more! Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "If I had a formula for bypassing trouble, I would not pass it round. Trouble creates a capacity to handle it. I don't embrace trouble; that's as bad as treating it as an enemy. But I do say meet it as a friend, for you'll see a lot of it and had better be on speaking terms with it."

Jim O'Bryan wrote:This week two of the cities I am working with asked about the LARGE CRIME WAVE hitting Lakewood!

Jim - I know how you responded to that question. Your initial post cleverly mirrors the sentiment espoused by both Bryan and Oliver Wendell Holmes - moving to Avon Lake is not the formula for bypassing trouble.

Matt

Good answer.

The Observer, was started for many, many positive reasons. All an effort to build and define the brand that Lakewood is an engaged community, that can support families, fine low cost living, and a haven for entrepreneurs, artist, designers, etc.

It was also started because Lakewood is our home, and the advisory board in particular, was ready to make the stand, and the commitment to make it better.

Yesterday, was another bad day for Lakewood, as we learn that our political system, not the news, is dragging down the brand. The the biggest harm to Lakewood this fall, was not because of some crack dealer, or drunk Mom, but "credible" politicians, and the media!

Well if there is one thing this political season has done is lock in the players. It will be years before we can sell homes in Lakewood again!

Maybe not, I keep forgetting, Lakewood recieved "a gift from God" the other night in my parking lot.


.

It sure seems to me that Lakewood is hosting a lot more "inner city" type crime these days. How many murders has Avon Lake had on their streets this year?

Jim -

I wish I couldn't believe anyone would say anything like this person said to you.

A young many is in the hospital after having numerous bullets lodged in his body - and it's going to help a campaign? Unbelievable.

Politics aside, the facts are: A woman was mugged in front of Madison Pool at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. About a week later, there was a drive-by shooting in the middle of Lakewood. I have two precious daughters who are still in elementary school. In five years when they are in middle school and high school, will I have to worry that it will be too dangerous for them to walk to school alone, even though the schools are only blocks away? When you have kids, the safety stakes seem much higher.