Nor sarcasm, nor fiction, crossed my keyboard. Police sources told me that there would be an increased presence begining the 19th due to the potential for gang shootings between southside and eastside gangs.

I saw some top brass at the substation that night and a full complimint of officers, but to be truthful, since then, I too wonder where I can see the increased police activity.

Was someone blowing smoke? Keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground and we shall find out.

I have seen our beat officers on a regular basis, though, throughout the neighborhood when I go out on my info gathering patrols. Schiavulli and his boys and girls have done a good job of responding to our requests and have taken some real bad guys and some real irritating nuisances off of the streets.

The foot guys now have bikes and can be much more effective.

I have no compliants with our District 8 personell. We just need more of them, more attention from the narcs, and a different approach that would adderess quality of life and nuisance issues with a zero tolerance approach.

My complaints point straight downtown to City Hall and Police HQs. They set the tone for how the police approach their work in any given neighborhood.

They seem to be way behind the learning curve in understanding the changes taking place in Mt. Hope. They do not understand the depth of the anger and frustrtion of the voters.

People should write directly to the Mayor & the Chief and tell them what they want. There's no need to sugar coat these things for these guys: they are professional politicians, wildly ambitious and tough as nails, and they can handle the truth.