Pantagraph.com | News | Cops: Gang ties at issue in mall fight

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

middle of the road wrote on Apr 26, 2008 12:32 PM:

" good ol boy
I have been a Fireman for years, thats good enough for me.
"

Shadow wrote on Apr 25, 2008 1:34 PM:

" Gangs were created for sissy's that cant fight 1 vs 1. "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 25, 2008 7:03 AM:

" OK G. Larson, now we've gotten somewhere and your point is well taken. A farmer growing pot for his own use and on his own place, yes a minor criminal and I'm sure the cops would react as such. If they showed up and the guy was a man about it and said " OK you got me, I'll take my punishment"" there shouldn't be a problem. A gang house with untold members and illegal guns inside the cops have to react accordingly and if a kid gets shot his parents should hang for putting them in that position. I also see the risk to the police officers and most of them I'm sure respond according to the risk they see. I also think the punishment will go the same way, a little pot grown for your use a small fine. A large amount for sale, illegal guns, prior criminal history, and you run like a wimp you deserve hard time. We aren't that far apart on this, good talking with you. Duber3 you can play with JCG now, I'm done. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 24, 2008 4:08 PM:

" Anything for you. I am going home now, to my trailer in the hills. Have a lovely evening. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 24, 2008 3:54 PM:

" Boy Duber aren't you just a barrel full of laughs! I don't think it's very nice to make fun of people that live in trailers but obviously you do. Last time I checked my place of living was not a trailer but keep posting like a 10 year old, I'm enjoying the ignorance of it all. : ) "

G. Larson wrote on Apr 24, 2008 3:06 PM:

" good ol' boy, for the record, no disrespect was meant in my post to you. In reading it, I can see where it seems to condescend, but that wasn't my intention, especially since you've been nothing but fair. Sorry for that misunderstanding, my mistake. To be technical, I have absolutely no data on how many children have been shot in raids. I think that's clumsy speech on my behalf. However, there's no denying children are most definitely at extreme and very often unnecessary risk in such situations. Its true, law enforcement would likely take a certain amount of precaution knowing children are present, but the average person is painfully unaware of the "extreme prejudice" absolutely any living thing is approached with in even a cannabis raid on completely nonviolent individuals. On the other hand, of course, is the real risk the officers face in their jobs, but without a doubt there's something wrong when the law would lump a grassroots farmer and at home with his family in with a gang of hardened thugs cleaning guns at their drug factory. Thats more my point. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 24, 2008 2:59 PM:

" Good ol boy: are you bored with JCG or just annoyed? $400 shoes in the closet of her $400 trailer. Gotta love it. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 24, 2008 1:42 PM:

" Getting bored with me? Awe that's too bad. : )
"

good ol boy wrote on Apr 24, 2008 1:26 PM:

" G. Larson, I'm sorry, I guess I'm not up on all the terminology for illegal drugs. I will quit commenting on the quality of them, but the fact remains they are illegal and any person who uses, grows, or sells them is a criminal. So put that in your bong, pipe, one-hitter, or whatever you use and smoke it!!! I was getting bored with miss $400 shoes, I'm glad you showed up. Oh and before I forget, just how many little kids have the "feds" wrongfully shot ? That could be a real problem!! "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 24, 2008 10:57 AM:

" Drugs(POT, yes even homegrown) - illegal / alcohol, cig's, my gun, all legal !! "

G. Larson wrote on Apr 24, 2008 10:15 AM:

" good ol' boy, with all due respect, you must not have read my post. In not one place did I ever EVER suggest anything about "Illinois ditchweed". "Ditchweed", had you known what you were referring to, means "completely wild found cannabis". I never once suggested such a thing, as NO ONE smokes that stuff. NO ONE. In both the example of the imported gang-related "commercial", and that of the locally-grown locally-funding "homegrown", BOTH are very intentionally cultivated. NEITHER are the so-called "ditchweed" you mention. In short, you clearly don't know what I'm talking about, so common sense dictates you simply not comment on it, until you do know more. Once again, absolutely NO ONE smokes "ditchweed". I'm very VERY sorry for you if you ever have. That was terribly stupid, and will only get you the headache of your life. I assure you, all cannabis currently being smoked was intentionally grown, not found in the wild. Welcome to U.S. Cannabis Culture 101. And btw, the gangs sell THE WORST STUFF, they're nothing but thugs and hustlers, not connoisseurs. Everyone in the scene knows that. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:50 AM:

" good ole boy - I'm not trying to spin anything, you acted like I didn't realize pot was a drug which of course I do, I just don't care that it's illegal.

To answer your question: Sure I guess. : ) My opinion on whether you carrying a gun around is ok does not matter. First of all I don't know you personally so I don't know if you are a good citizen that would only use the gun for your protection. If you are sane, responsible and you don't harm anyone else, I don't care that you carry a gun. But if you are a past criminal with a temper, than yeah I care.

And... I don't know G Larson but I know he isn't smoking Illinois ditch weed, no one smokes that. *L* "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:00 AM:

" JCG, I told you I know alcohol is a drug and and I admitted to to the drugs in my cig's but no matter how you spin it yours is still illegal !! I don't obey every law and never said I did, I choose to carry my gun and by your standards, I hurt no one, it's not morally wrong, and I know where it comes from so it's all good right ???
Just this once I am actually waiting for your answer to that one!!
Larson, You know Illinois ditchweed ain't no good. Most of these gangs are selling good stuff brought in from elsewhere. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 24, 2008 8:39 AM:

" G. Larson - wow someone with some commen sense. :) Nice to see.

"

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 24, 2008 8:34 AM:

" LLM - I'm sorry, I was just letting you know that that comment was made by me. I didn't mean to include you in my rant to Good ole boy. : )

Duber and Good ole boy - I never said pot wasn't a drug, I'm not stupid. I said I don't consider it a drug, the same as you not considering alcohol a drug when you have a beer. I could care less if it's illegal or not, as long as I feel I'm not doing anything morally wrong, then I am fine with breaking a law or two. You are more than welcome to obey every goverment made law and live your life perfectly. I will choose to do what I like with my life, I harm no one. And I know exactly where my pot comes from and if you want to call an 65 year old man who grows his own pot in his own country home a gang member, so be it. *L* I don't affiliate with gangs. : ) "

G. Larson wrote on Apr 24, 2008 7:59 AM:

" Why would smoking herb have anything to do with gangs? It is only because of the extreme value anything gains by it being illegal that there is any sort of large-scale cannabis distribution. Anyone with basic horticultural knowledge can grow more than enough for themselves, and one person who grows a decent amount can supply an entire neighborhood, at least. I suggest a fairly small amount of local cannabis is at all "gang-related", meaning cannabis that was likely grown in and shipped from mexico, to chicago, then down to us, only for the purpose of profit. I also guarantee "commercial" cannabis is less desirable in every way than the real "homegrown" which is actually grown with care and attention. I smoke daily, and not one dollar goes to "gangsters". It all goes to working, locally-based, long-term citizens of America, to the cost of their efforts and to their everyday cost of living. If anything, it strengthens economy and local stability, as it is the U.S.'s #1 cash crop by both dollar and volume. This is until, of course, the feds come with assault rifles and flash grenades, shooting pets and children alike. Then, there's violence, but only then. "

jipsi wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:25 PM:

" to Duber3:

Don't be dragging ME into this one...

(I say what I mean and mean what I say, and can NEVER be accused of being two faced or hypocrital.) "

LLM wrote on Apr 23, 2008 4:25 PM:

" JCG: I don't have a "point". I simply couldn't remember if it was you who said that or not, which is why I said---in my comment---that I wanted clarification. I wasn't trying to "get" you (paranoid much???) but couldn't remember and didn't actually feel like trying to locate the original article. I wasn't even sure that was the right article in the first place. There was no finger pointing, no "Ah-Ha", just a question. But isn't marijuana considered a "drug"? Anything that alters your mind in some way? And yes, that includes beer but I don't drink. Frankly I could care less what you do with your own body since it is in fact yours. Like I said, it was just a question which I believe I said in my original comment. I'll try to go a little slower next time. For the record, not everyone on here is looking for some "great debate" or argument. "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 23, 2008 4:10 PM:

" Yes, ( and I won't try to make it OK with some crazy logic about what I think it is ) if I have a drink I guess i'm having a drug and when I smoke a cig. ( 15ft from the door ) I'm having another one but both are legal in our world, "pot" however is NOT. The gangs selling it and you smoking it doesn't change a thing and as we all know this story was about gangs so quit helping them out by keeping them in business. I guess with your logic the gangs can carry guns as long as they think it's a tool ?? "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:32 PM:

" Pot is not a drug? Ok. Your comparison to beer is ridiculous. Walk into Wal-Mart and ask where the beer is, they'll tell you what aisle, then ask them what aisle they sell pot in. Difference, beer is legal as long as you are 21, pot is not, no matter how old you are. Your comment was extremely ridiculous. Do yourself and ALL of us a favor and stop commenting. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 23, 2008 3:09 PM:

" JCG......pot is not a drug? Walk into the BPD with a bag of it and see if they agree with you. That's got to be the stupidest comment I've read from anyone. Alcohol may be a "drug", but if a cop comes to your door and you have a beer in your hand, not a word is said and you don't go to jail, now, if you have a joint in your mouth, my guess is that you are going to jail. Difference, pot is illegal, beer is not. "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 23, 2008 1:59 PM:

" No duber I am not speechless the pantagraph is not posting my comments for some reason so I'll try again.

Cocoa - Cool. Hope you are enjoing this beautiful day! :)

Yes LLM and Good ole boy - yes I posted those comments, what's your point? I smoke pot, I don't do drugs. Your more than welcome to waste more time looking at my past posts and you will see that I have always said I don't refer to pot as a drug and never will. Do you consider yourself a drug user when you have a beer or two? Because alcohol is a drug. I am not two faced and I don't lie, I just don't consider pot a drug. : ) I'm glad you think you got me though. *L*

And thanks Mule, but I really do smoke. :) "

Govt oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 23, 2008 1:24 PM:

" TO GOOD OLE BOY and LLM
I am not sure of JCG stance on smoking the "reefer" but just because you oppose stupid archaic laws and feel repealling them would do good to society, doesn't mean you partake in those pasttimes. i.e. my mother is a non-smoker (tobacco) but feels strongly against the smoking ban and the freedoms it strips. JCG may feel the same way, or as GOB pointed out maybe she is just 2 faced, but regardless you don't have to partake in something to support it. "

Cthulhu wrote on Apr 23, 2008 1:01 PM:

" Belonging to a recognized street gang should be a crime carrying an automatic death sentence penalty. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:51 PM:

" What do you have to say to that JCG? Seems for the first time, you are speechless. THANK GOD. Good work good ol boy and LLM. I don't know who's worse, JCG or jipsi. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 23, 2008 12:23 PM:

" What do you have to say to that JCG? Seems for the first time, you are speechless. THANK GOD. Good work good ol boy and LLM. I don't know who's worse, JCG or jipsi. "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 23, 2008 7:26 AM:

" LLM, you want clarification, check out JCG's post on the story dated 4-17-08 about the pot bust, and I quote "It's a stupid law and I'm proud to break it everyday by smoking the natural GOD grown plant". I may not be as cultured or open minded as her but when I say something I will say it to your face and I won't change my stand to fit the story. 2 faced is something that should also be against the law. "

LLM wrote on Apr 22, 2008 8:29 PM:

" JCG: Just to clarify...you don't do drugs (recent post @ 4:01 pm) but yet wasn't it you that spent most of an entire comment blog (regarding the swim teacher/marijuana plants) talking about nothing but???? I could be mistaken, which is why I am asking for clarification. "

cocoa wrote on Apr 22, 2008 7:29 PM:

" To JCG - Yep, I did read your comment "Or do you not wear shoes in your parts?" as elitist. It's hard to tell tone in the written word sometimes without facial features of vocal nuances! No harm done, truce. :) "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 22, 2008 4:01 PM:

" Good ole boy - *L* Please don't take it so seriously. I don't do drugs and I was completely kidding about the pizza boy delivering them with the pizza. I just didn't understand why you said that to middle of the road. And I'm all for guns : ) "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:59 PM:

" I think I might know what you are talking about now...I think. Is it because I asked him if he even knew what my screen name meant? I doubt too many older men (even rich) know or care what Jimmy Choos are but I was being sarcastic when I brought the shoes up because he is the one that said I live in a little world. I wasn't meaning to be prejudice by assuming he, or anyone else didn't know designer names, I was being sarcastic because of what he said. If I came off snobbish at all I truly am sorry... and you are probably right about the handbags. : ) "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:52 PM:

" What do my shoes, or good ole boys guns have to do with racism? And yes I am very much against racism, sexism, etc. So because I assumed good ole boy was an old man who likes guns I am predudice? I called him pa beause I used to call my grandpa that, it was somewhat poking FUN at good ole boy but mostly I was thinking of my gun loving country grandfather. He can buy all the guns he wants, I could care less. I don't understand how I was being prejudice at all, I really don't. Please enlighten me because that's the last thing I want to be. : ) "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:46 PM:

" What do shoes, handbags, etc. have to do with defending yourself from gangs?? Go back to buying your drugs from the same gangs we are talking about here and break the law just like they do. I will not offend your cultured (law breaking), open minded (dope smoking) little world anymore! "

cocoa wrote on Apr 22, 2008 2:45 PM:

" To JCG - I don't care how anyone spends $400. But what I find interesting is that on another article, you are posting a lot of comments opposing racism. I abhor racism as well. Getting into it over whether you buy designer shoes and "good ol boy" buys guns is really just another form of judgment and prejudice. Prejudice of ANY kind should not be tolerated, whether it be against someone of another race or someone that chooses to buy guns instead of designer shoes. Believe me, I get razzed about how I spend my money too - my handbag collection could probably rival your shoe collection - but it's not right to be judgmental to anyone about anything, KWIM? "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 22, 2008 10:17 AM:

" cocoa - I'm sorry if he was insulted by my posts but it doesn't take a lot of brain power to figure out he's an older gentlemen with a love for shotguns. I could care less if you know what Jimmy Choos are or if you wear them. I made the point about the shoes because good ole boy's comment "only in your little world dear" irritated me. I am cultured and not small minded and really don't care for those that are. So you can spend your $400 on what you like, I'll buy my shoes and good ole boy can go buy a new gun with his $400. K? "

cocoa wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:24 PM:

" To JCG - I know what Jimmy Choos are, and don't care. I suspect many people feel the same. Can I appreciate a good pair of shoes? Yes. Can I find better things to spend $400 on than a pair of JC shoes? Yes. People in this area may not be as sophisticated in their designer knowledge as you, but there's no reason for the insult you posted to "good ol boy". "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:15 PM:

" *L* My little word huh? Do you know what my screen name stands for? Or do you not wear shoes in your parts?

Google it! Oh wait you live it. Are people getting dumber by the day or what? Go clean your shot gun pa! *L* "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:03 PM:

" JCG : self defense is not taking the law into your own hands, as far as your dope I don't care if you ever get it, and more to the point - you couldn't whip your way out of a wet paper bag so why are you getting into what I said to " middle of the road" ???? "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:46 PM:

" It would only cause problems in your little world dear, the rest of us would get along just fine!! "

JimmyChooGirl wrote on Apr 21, 2008 1:02 PM:

" Good ole boy - middle of the road never said police officers jobs are safe, he was just pointing out a fact. But since you live it and don't google *L* you wouldn't know that I then. And what pizza delivery person sells drugs that you know of because if I can get a pizza and a bag at the same time without leaving my house, I'd like to be informed. :)

And it sounds like you and your good ole boys kids *L* take the law into your own hands? Considering you are saying that being politcally correct is stupid and if you want things done right you do it yourself. Do you recommend the rest of us do that too because I can think of some problems that might cause. *L* "

fishpoop wrote on Apr 21, 2008 11:38 AM:

" TO BIG BROTHER- why should we make the stores suffer and close down on something they can't control? The mall is run by a company that is seperate from the stores. How are they going to ban kids? What happens if my daughter or son want to go to the mall? Are they not going to be allowed since I am not with them? When they need to pick something up are they not going to be allowed to go to Game Stop, or the sporting goods store because you say that they need to be banned? I myself don't shop at the stores just because shopping isn't my thing, but I will take my kids there and I have not once had a problem. Again why should we make these stores suffer because a few punks? "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:38 AM:

" Hey middle of the road, If it's such a safe job, why don't you sign up and help with the gang problem instead of blowing smoke on here?? Everyone always told me if don't like the way something is done, do it yourself. ( and don't forget to take your kid with you, he might be able to help to !!! ) Oh and by the way I don't google anything, I live what I talk about !! "

leroymom wrote on Apr 18, 2008 4:04 PM:

" To Anchor: I do not think that my idea of dealing with things is running. Maybe you work that way, but I do not. And how sad are you to tell people that in order to feel safe, they should leave their homes and move away. I was born and raised here. Maybe the pitiful scum that is causing the problems should have move back to Shy town where they belong. And don't preach about the poor home situations that no one would understand. My mom was a single mom that worked to jobs and I pretty much raised myself. But I still put myself through college and raised a kid on my own. Life is what you make it. And obvious these kids don't have any hopes or ambition. How sad! But instead of taking it out on us innocent people, maybe they should take it out on themselves for putting themselves in these situations. "

Mike wrote on Apr 18, 2008 3:39 PM:

" How about his parents spanking him, assuming of course he can identify them. "

truth needed wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Wanna cure the gang problem write new laws.... Like if your found to have gang affiliations automatic three years in prison no parole .. next offense 12 years and 3rd offense life that will open the eyes of our youth.... "

cocoa wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:30 PM:

" I, too, used to work at the mall and remember how loss prevention sometimes had to let shoplifters (usually teens and kids in their 20s) go because the shoplifter pulled a knife out. Maybe mall management can also read a book about how to get better stores in the mall that don't cater to kids and will therefore cause less kids to even be interested in hanging out there. "

mom7 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:49 PM:

" Gangs are a big problem in our town, people need to realize that it is no longer safe to go out to the mall, and other shopping centers without being aware of what is going on around you. As an x-employee of the mall I can just say that the public doesn't hear half of what goes on out there. I have personally witnessed customers being fearful to be at the mall. I have had to call security to have customers walked out to their car. The police have had conversations with the mall about the concerns, and have given the mall advice about what to do, but it seems to fall on deaf ears where the mall is concerned. Maybe the mall manager can read another book. Maybe this time about how to manage a mall, and security issues. "

middle of the road wrote on Apr 17, 2008 3:00 PM:

" good ol boy
you are absolutely wrong on all counts there bubba.
i never blamed the police for the problem. i just pointed out a FACT
if you do not believe me goggle "most dangerous jobs in America". the police are not even in the top ten of people killed on the job. in fact it is more likely that a farmer will be killed today than a policeman check you facts before you accuse others dude
oh BTW my child is raised. in fact graduated with honors, is through college and married. "

Freedom fanatic wrote on Apr 17, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Get a blue ribbon committee (representatives from all over the state and back grounds) to explore the gang problem state wide, determine why it is occurring and the most effective means for deterring criminal gangs. Regardless of the age, give the police the tools, laws and authority to rid society of these predators. Give law abiding citizens the tools, laws and authority to protect themselves from these predators.
"

York wrote on Apr 16, 2008 5:19 AM:

" On February 20th, 2008, Waukegan - IL Police received $846,000 in federal money to help officers combat gangs. The U.S. Department of Justice grant provided the money through the help of Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) We need our 88th district Representative, Dan Brady, to step up and help us combat gangs in Bloomington-Normal. Please help us Dan! "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 15, 2008 1:18 PM:

" Middle of the road, you'd be the first one to cry if your kid got his butt beat for doing some silly "gang" activity and it would be no more than what he had coming to him. Quit blaming the cops and everyone else and take care of your own. Oh by the way, if your pizza guy wasn't selling drugs on the side he probably woudn't have got killed in the first place. "

longarm7 wrote on Apr 15, 2008 1:08 PM:

" Lets clear some things up. First: Hybrid gangs ARE real gangs, the difference is that they started locally and most do have connections to "real gangs". When they start selling drugs and shooting people, they are very real. Second: Its not the Police or Police Admin. Putting a kid in JDC takes an act of congress. Kids are on a point system, and if they don't reach that limit (which they rarely do) they get sent home with mom and dad. A kid can be arrested for battery or burglary and be sent home with mom. When a kid finally does go to court, The judges give them probation, which means they have to be in the house by 7pm. pretty rough. "

middle of the road wrote on Apr 15, 2008 12:56 PM:

" Bluegrass American
while they are attacking ordinary citizens it will remain as it is. When and or if they start attacking the government directly then you will see a quick change.
think about it. We see articles all the time where we have to spend millions here or millions there to make the poor police officer safer (remember they choose to take the job) Yet neither police or firefighters are even on the top ten list of the most workers killed on the job per capita. A pizza delivery driver has a higher probability of being killed on the job than a cop "

good ol boy wrote on Apr 15, 2008 8:13 AM:

" These guys are a joke, stand up to them and they run to get a bunch of friends. when they come back they are real brave till the cops show up then they want mommy and daddy to bail them out. Send them out to the country, we've got some " good ol boys" kids that will take them down a peg or two. These kids out here are raised with some respect and common sense, but don't think they won't stand up to a bunch of wannabee punks. You let them take over and it's your own fault. Politically correct is for idiots, stand up and defend your home / town from all who would try to take or change your way of life!! "

normalguy wrote on Apr 15, 2008 7:17 AM:

" we have cops int his town besdies traffic enforcers? how many years ago were the folks given free reign on orlando after the "cops" grabbed their tails and ran? now some want another worthless police substation. the police have better things to do like attend the minority and police fuctions where black leaders reinforce that if the cops do anything there will be even more trouble. hang on folks it only gets worse. "

JohnDW wrote on Apr 14, 2008 10:13 PM:

" Wake up Bloomington or it's going to be a mini SouthSide of Chicago down here!!!! If the police dept. cannot handle it we need to make our voices heard by contacting local government and letting them know we are sick of our communities be taken over by SCUMBAG bangers!!! Just look at all the graffiti popping up all over town- They are here and something needs to be done about these useless souls before harm comes to the doorsteps of all the respectful citizens here in what used to be a quite little town. Take back your city!!! "

normalguy wrote on Apr 14, 2008 6:02 PM:

" we have the stabing two weeks ago, the pellet gun shootings, the mall gang incident, the shooting on riley drive, the graffitti. does eveyone see where this town is headed? or am i in the MINORITY here? "

Anchor wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:40 PM:

" to leroymom - Trust me, it can and will get much much worse. Maybe you should look into moving a little further away from the "BIG CITY". "

Anchor wrote on Apr 14, 2008 5:39 PM:

" To jipsi - jipsi, what the commenters here are failing to realize is that not every home is like the 'Leave it to Beaver'. Gangs are not prevalant because Ward Cleaver didn't paddle the Beav' hard enough. Gangs exist because of a home situation most of these people cannot imagine. It is the single mother working two jobs to keep the lights on and cannot keep her eyes on the kids all day. It is parents who are themselves in gangs or affiliated in gang activity. None of these kids joined a gang because mom and dad got them the 10GB Ipod instead of the 80GB Ipod. More to the point, most of the people commenting on this article saying, "We should do something" and "isn't this terrible" wouldn't lift a finger to help solve the real problems that confront a mother like you or a father like me. "

Duber3 wrote on Apr 14, 2008 4:02 PM:

" Leroymom, we get the fact that you think they need to go to Iraq and that they are terrorists. Sad thing is, I wouldn't want the US represented by such low life scum. Our troops are top notch, that would bring down the respect level 80%. I say all the gang members meet in a parking lot with all the non gang members and see how it turns out. Since they like 10 on 1 situations, lets see how they deal with being on the other side of the numbers. Funny thing is that 10 Latin Kings couldn't do enough harm to 1 man to warrant medical treatment. That right there shows how truly weak and cowardly they are. "

leroymom wrote on Apr 14, 2008 1:38 PM:

" Who needs AlQuida when we're being terrorized right here. It's time for the police to clean up the streets here in Bloomington. How sad and pathetic. These kids are pretty desparate for attention, apparently. They've been taught that it's okay to bully others. Where are the parents? And most importantly, where are the policemen? The Bloomington PD has known about this problem for quite some time now, but yet they still believe that there is no need to put a substation in Eastland Mall. Does that make sense? All these juvenile delinquents are doing is running down the sales for department stores and taunting and terrorizing innocent people. Come on, does it really take 10 people to back you up? What about the old one on one? Does sound like they are tough to me. If they were tough, then they would go one and one and wouldn't have to use weapons. "

Bluegrass American wrote on Apr 14, 2008 12:37 PM:

" Does anyone else here want to put them over your knee? The PARENTS.......sure! "

something to think about wrote on Apr 14, 2008 10:08 AM:

" Apparently there are some punks who should have been trained-up by their parents. Bad moms and dads are responsible for punk thugs like these. What the heck are adults thinking when they ruin their children, and then turn them loose on the rest of us to deal with? I'm so freakin' tired of society having to take care of these undisciplined kids.

Kids make bad choices, but if you raise them right then they won't be doing stupid stuff like this. Does anyone else here want to put them over your knee?

And before the anti-spanking people go off on that statement......using spanking to correct a child is NOT the same thing as using unwarranted violence against another. No one can convince me that a smack on the behind is bad. Maybe that's why my kids don't participate in activities like this. "

leroymom wrote on Apr 13, 2008 4:55 PM:

" If these thugs think that they are so bad, let's send them over to Iraq, instead of the innocent young men who do not like the violence. OH, I forgot. The gangs are too afraid to go one on one and they can't fight without a weapon. What "Kings" they are. All they are are wanna be terrorists. YOu know, we didn't have all of these problems in B-N until we were forced to take some of the displaced subsidized housing people from Chicago. Take a stand and let them know that this is not Chicago. If they like that lifestyle, head on back up there. I'm tired of them taunting my kids at the mall, and I'm even with them. How pathetic. "

protohooman wrote on Apr 13, 2008 1:46 PM:

" perhaps if we are proactive in the win win situation and are visionary enough to revitalize the... oh never mind. "

Bluegrass American wrote on Apr 13, 2008 6:59 AM:

" Since Sept 11, 2001, there have been some new laws implemented. I do not understand why our government will spend billions of dollars throughout this country to battle gangs. What is stopping them from calling a gang a "Terrorist Organization?" Gangs have been terrorizing cities across the U.S. for many years and the police really don't have any way to stop them because of basic human rights. Now that new laws for Terrorist have been put into place, the police should be able to go after them. Could someone please explain where that fine line is between an Organized Gang and an Organized Terrorist Group? Does one have to be a foreigner to be a Terrorist? "

JustMyThoughts wrote on Apr 13, 2008 6:33 AM:

" There a lot of comments about how we shouldn't worry about "wannabe"s. Where do you think bangers come from? Secondly, why are you suprised that this punk called his friends? What do you think gangs do? They want you to be afraid to confront one member, because you'll end up with 10 or 20. "

Spanky wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:19 PM:

" If you want to see gang member wannabes come to dowtown LeRoy on any given night and look around at the teens on the square! "

cjeanpatton wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:37 PM:

" Bllomington, Don't think you don't have a gang problem. I lived in Bloomington and Now live is a suburb of St. Louis. People thought because we were in the suburbecruited.get r, nice middle class neighborhod, yhat we did not have a gang problem. it was not adressed. Now, the police is trying to cleanup the mess. Wanna be gang members, turn into real gang members because they. Don't sleep on tis one. protect your kids. Bloomington is no longer the Bloomington that my family left. We were considering moving back, but it seems that Bloomington is having as many problems as we are having here in our suburbs. That's sad. Bloomington was such a great place to live. "

sayinhey wrote on Apr 12, 2008 5:32 PM:

" Relax!!! These are kids who are just wannabes ... there are no real Latin Kings, or any other "real" gangs in this area. We just have kids trying to behave like thugs. They aren't as tough as they "pretend" to be. If they were, would that boy need to call up 10 of his friends to bail him out when he was being picked on???? Think about it! "

boyles55 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 4:20 PM:

" This is very disturbing. To have 11 people beat up 1 person thats a mob whos to say they would have stop before the guy was dead. they were all mad whos to say one would have told the rest to stop. they would have maybe eventually killed him if they were not stopped. i have no problem with 1 on 1 fighting sometime it just has to happen. but 11 on 1 they all if found guilty shoudl spend ten yrs in jail. "

Cubfan24 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 3:58 PM:

" "Latin Kings"... hahaha... At least we know who's been tagging walls around town now. "

clarkbar wrote on Apr 12, 2008 3:03 PM:

" to jipsi, you got it! The parents are uninvolved in their children's lives. Just look around, also the parents might be children themselves. the mother of the 15 yr old could be 28, and immature or self-involved. "

jm2 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 2:37 PM:

" While you're all blaming the police for not clearing out BN of gangs, think about this: there are more laws that protect the guilty than protect the innocent! There should be laws that deny anyone (including children) of residing in any public housing, section 8 homes, and other rental units who have previously been arrested for drugs, robbery, etc.? Okay, so the question becomes where are those non law-abiding citizens going to live. Build them a housing compound somewhere far away where they can go live with their families and friends alike . . . where only non law-abiding citizens reside. "

Super J wrote on Apr 12, 2008 2:26 PM:

" Well, Fachna, if Glocks are made mostly of plastic, then I have an even better solution: Melt them down and make them into credit cards! Then send them to each of these "Latin Kings" so they will be able to BUY happiness instead of having to fruitlessly search for it in gangs! Just think, they can use the money to buy puppies or something with rainbows on it. Problem solved.

It is our duty as open-minded people to do this! Anyone who opposes it is racist!

Erase the hate! NOT IN OUR TOWN! "

BigBrother wrote on Apr 12, 2008 1:16 PM:

" I am encouraging every citizen to e-mail the stores in the mall and demand they ban these hoodlums from the mall. Also e-mail the corporate headquarters of each store. If enough citizens register a complaint the stores will force the mall management to return our mall to a safe place to shop. Please don't think these companies will ignor you. They take seriously customer complaints and comments. "

The Irascible Fachna wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:57 AM:

" Good concept, SuperJ, except that Glocks are mainly plastic. "

bob61704 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:48 AM:

" "It is a good question as to just why it takes 6 days to break a story like this. Ii it the Police or the Panatagraph that are withholding the information? If it is the Police, the are lagal ramificatuions. If it is the Paantagrah, then there are economic ramificatiions - such as not buying the periodical." "

OGS wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:48 AM:

" If you let the gangs take over the mall, then they will. "

dmlh wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:36 AM:

" East side HAHA, check out parks on clearwater, some interesting things going on at them. "

WorkinTheOpinionBoard wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:20 AM:

" i doubt these "babies" belong to the latin kings....any dummy can walk down the street and claim the name, doesn't make it right. this kind of article is what's going to bring the "real" gangs out of chicago to hear to clean up the would-be "gangstas". that's the scary part "

gad wrote on Apr 12, 2008 11:07 AM:

" hey cats......i don't believe a 15 year old has any legal right to a gun.
most "thinking people" don't want to be at a group of punks mercy, anywhere.
responsible people know that you can't shoot a person just for being a punk. "

I am me wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:59 AM:

" I agree with most everything said. However, I also wonder why was a 20 year old mocking a 15 year old? "

gad wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:46 AM:

" super j must be someone's alter ego...........someone who's not nuts wouldn't want a statue of che guevara in the usa. "

BFM wrote on Apr 12, 2008 10:19 AM:

" To The Cats: How about this. Say you were one of the bad guys and there was a pretty good chance that the guy you are looking at mugging just might have a gun in his pocket. Would you take the chance of getting yourself killed? No. In your comment you say we know they all have them. Knowing that are we all just letting them do what they want, when they want by not arming ourselves in some way? The right to bear arms was put into the Constitution to protect citizens against a rogue government. It may never happen here and probably won't, where the government would try to take over everything. But then they never thought it would happen in 1938 Germany either. If you don't have the resources to protect yourself then we lose it all to the bad guys. Our property, our freedom and our lives. "

Super J wrote on Apr 12, 2008 9:52 AM:

" 23cubs: People like YOU are the real problem in our society, not the "Latin Kings." We would be much better off if we rounded up all the "Glocks" of people like you, melted them down, and used the metal to build a statue of Che Guevara or maybe Jose Feliciano... TRUE "Latin Kings" that could inspire these young people with pride and help them get in touch with their feelings!

Maybe if you people would spend less time judging people and spend more time understanding their emotions. you'd realize that these "Latin Kings" are our future!

NOT IN OUR TOWN! "

The Cats wrote on Apr 12, 2008 9:47 AM:

" How about legalizing and controlling most drugs? That takes away the source of revenue for these gangs. Thank god there were no guns involved...although we all know they have them. The "more guns" crowd says these kids should be allowed unfettered access to any type of weapon. The CCW crowd says everyone shopping at the mall should be armed. They call that common sense. Most thinking people call it lunacy. The NRA is against all forms of gun regulation and it seems as though the supreme is about to rule that all gun laws are unconstitutional. Both these concepts brought to you by the radical right wing of the republican party. Think about that when you vote. "

DK61727 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 9:46 AM:

" "Super J", you make me want to be a better person. Just the thought of these misguided youth lifting a present for Mother's Day brings a lump to my throat. "

Pixie wrote on Apr 12, 2008 9:35 AM:

" As I was reading over this article a second time I was remembering back to about a month ago when my daughter and I went for a long walk and ended up playing at the playground of Bent School. We were there about 10 minutes when finally I had to step in and tell the young boys (they ranged from abotu 6 yrs to 12 yrs of age) to either clean up their language or go home. They were cursing, speaking of sexual things, speaking of shuving knives up certain parts of their mothers bodies... This is disgusting behavior coming from YOUNG YOUNG children! For me to hear a 6 year old little boy tell his older friend to go "F" himself was more than shocking. They are getting this stuff from their parents, and from not being supervised. Since when should 6 year olds be at a park alone!? "

Burns wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:51 AM:

" This guy was rushed by 11 and didn't require medical treatment? What did they attack with, harsh language? Kinda takes the fear factor out of the Latin Kings. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:37 AM:

" I agree, I don't shop there much. It has really gone downhill since I moved her 12 years ago. "

inmyopinion wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:33 AM:

" I believe Super J is mocking...not serious. B/N Police officers have known about gang issues but I am sure, like everything else, there are issues with administration that keep their hands tied on really dealing with the gangs. For those of you who want to believe they are just misunderstood kids, try mentoring some of them to help them instead of just armchair quarterbacking.
"

BFM wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:26 AM:

" 23 cubs: super j was making a joke about them working at the flower shop and stuff. It was funny. "

Annie Oakley wrote on Apr 12, 2008 8:23 AM:

" the gangs have been here a very long time. the city of bloomington blocked off i do believe it was west jefferson with those big concrete highway seperator things because of the drive bys. ya know. the police arrest these kids, the judge slaps their hands and the states attorney let's them plea out if serious enough. our system has gone down the tubes. look at miller park? hard to hang out there anymore because the gangs love to. not to long ago someone was shot there. the criminals get to run the streets and the law abiding citizens have to lock up their kids to keep them safe. sound fair? "

Jarhead71 wrote on Apr 12, 2008 7:41 AM:

" There are no gangs in B-N, only hybrid gang look alikes. You know, the ones that the Pantagraph reported on last week and the Chief of Police referred to. These teens are not REAL gangs, just gang banger wannabees, remember? Not in our town has a bury your/our head attitude and will not allow there to be gangs in our town. Gangs are a Chicago problem. Gangs are a Detroit problem. Not in our town. There are no gangs in our town. "

BFM wrote on Apr 12, 2008 7:38 AM:

" Let me get this right. This Latin King tough guy got teased by one guy and he had to call ten of his tough guy friends to back him up? Now how would these "tough guys" like it if the one tough guy said something to the 20 year old first and the 20 year old called ten of his friends? He would have run like a little girl. Why? Because the guys can't take care of their "problems" 1 on 1. Has anyone ever seen any of these people deal with anything by themselves? No. They go around in gangs and groups, under the cover of darkness to rob, steal, vandalize, brutalize, paint their stupid gang "logo" on private property you name it. Should the average citizen start taking this crap into their own hands since the Bloomington-Normal police can't? Some would like to but we have morals and laws we follow. We have respect for others unlike these Latin King cowards. "

interested party wrote on Apr 12, 2008 7:22 AM:

" Another semi-funny thing is the hard-core gang member ran from mall security!!! "

oldlady wrote on Apr 12, 2008 6:48 AM:

" We need the DRAFT...Let these KINGS fight for their freedom. "

otis wrote on Apr 12, 2008 1:53 AM:

" all decent people should boycott the mall "

jipsi wrote on Apr 12, 2008 12:23 AM:

" TYPICAL gang mentality... Too weak to address his own conflicts, he has to call in as many "friends" as possible so he can ensure a "win" over his adversary. Worse, not self-defense, but over 'words'.

What kind of INTELLIGENCE does one need to understand how UN-manly this behavior is?

Do "mom and dad" (or either or) KNOW their 'baby' is in a gang? If they do, is there a REASON they don't remove their child from the environment (as in, MOVE, or get their child into a program of some kind)?
Are parents REALLY becoming this helpless (or non-involved)???

I'm a parent myself, and KNOW my sons try to push the boundaries with me EVERYDAY.
I also know there are places they go, things they do, that I might not know of.
But THEY know, too, if they engage in that "one incident", I will pull out all the stops (upon said incident) to insure it will not happen again. They know this would be FAR from pleasant, and this is the best I can hope for, that they have deterrents in place to keep them a little more right of center.

"

wanderwls wrote on Apr 11, 2008 11:42 PM:

" Big Brother: I stopped going to the mall at least a year ago, maybe two years. I got tired of all the rude children, the tacky conduct and the outright confrontational attitude of any children who happened to be there. My money goes elsewhere that's for sure. And as far as NOT IN OUR TOWN. Yes, it is in our town, and have you got it figured out yet whose fault it is? The gangs and the children who start all the fights. They whine about racial profiling, well, whose fault is racial profiling? The children who think they're so tough. Stop whining, act like human beings and citizens of a town, then you might get some respect but respect has to be earned and having gang fights in the mall isn't a good start. "

BigBrother wrote on Apr 11, 2008 11:02 PM:

" This is easy to stop. To all business owners in the mall. I am officially banning any person from my family from shopping at any store in the mall until the teenage gangs are banned permanently. I can go to other stores in town and so can my family. I encourage every citizen that is outraged by this ruthless behavior to make the same edicts and write in to the Pantagraph and ban buying any items from mall stores until something is done to protect the innocent citrizens from these criminals. No more gangs and gang clothing or colors. My money stays in my pocket until you correct the problem. Period .... "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:57 PM:

" Super J, your comment on the likely reason the accused were in the mall is the funniest I've read here all week. Yes sir, I'm sure your average senior citizen would love having a group of kids like this in his/her nursing home. "

underdog wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:57 PM:

" This reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer takes karate classes and dominates because he is fighting little kids. At the end of the show all the little kids gang up on Kramer and beat him. Sounds like the Latin Queens to me. "

BN REPUBLICAN wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:13 PM:

" Latin Kings? heh. Little Latin Fauntleroys, more like. "

Realist wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:12 PM:

" What a joke, pretty tough gang when 11 on 1 doesn't put the odds in their favor. My invitation to come to my neighborhood is still open to the gangsters. Come on out to the country fellas, we'll see how bad you really are. I'm still laughing at the image of Lurg86, a 50 year old scaring off 6 gang members. The best way to rid the existence of the gangs is not to bow to them and their cowardly ways. "

Lighthouse wrote on Apr 11, 2008 8:08 PM:

" What I'd like to know is why did it take 6 days to hit the news? "

The Original JD wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:57 PM:

" Just continue to ignore the problem and it will go away, right? Seriously, I saw the gangs emerging in B-N a over a decade ago, and wondered if anything was being done about it. It seems the B-N, especially Bloomington, exists in some alternate reality where they pretend things and expect it to actually be that way. Now that the gangs, even the 'hybrid' ones, are established, playing ostrich no long works and it will be next to impossible to control. Yep, you 'city' folk in B-N have it all worked out. "

Super J wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:47 PM:

" You people and your judgmental attitudes make me sick. You don't know these people. I'm sure they are good people who have just made some mistakes. In fact, I'll bet they were at the mall shopping for Mother's Day presents before heading to their after-school jobs at the flower shop, arranging bouquets for senior citizens.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves for your judgmental attitudes!

NOT IN OUR TOWN! "

Normal Resident wrote on Apr 11, 2008 7:39 PM:

" it's 2008...why do we still refer to them as "Gangs"? They should be called terrorists. You want to terrorize individuals...you're a terrorist. I don't want to have to worry about my wife or kid being caught in this B.S.

Stop building public housing...clean up the currently public housing. Conduct random checks/sweeps through the week to catch individuals that might be living on the property that shouldn't be there. Kick out those that violate the policy. If they don't like the sweeps...get a job like everyone else and stop living off of the system.

Fast Food isn't below anyone. It's a job that teaches you responsibility, the value of being paid for your work, and you'll appreciate what you have when you work for it. There are plenty of jobs out there.

Our police force can't enforce handicap parking violators, why should we expect them to fight the gangs?

Maybe the $$ put into the "Not In Our Town" signs can be used to higher more police?

I'm just sick of this crap. "

poster wrote on Apr 11, 2008 6:41 PM:

" i think that Super J is mocking the sign the is displayed in B/N that reads something like....."Racism..not in our town" Hes not being serious. "

Lurg86 wrote on Apr 11, 2008 6:34 PM:

" Figures. it takes ten gang members to confront one citizen. What a bunch of cowards these punks are and I personally have confronted and chased as many as 6 away from the scene of a potential crime by myself. The sad part is that I am over 50 years old. This just shows what a cowardly bunch of children these gang bangers really are. They are a joke and not to be feared, but run off and ridiculed. "

Gov't oppressed Mule wrote on Apr 11, 2008 5:49 PM:

" They call themselves the Kings? When it takes 11 people to jump a guy and that guy doesn't need ANY medical attention where do they get the audacity to call themselves the kings of anything? "

Annie Oakley wrote on Apr 11, 2008 5:46 PM:

" i didn't know we had gangs in bloomington/normal. omg! lol super J are you kidding? lol not in our town? we could only wish. and no, they can't fight thier battles on thier own. they have to have a whole bunch of them to make thier points clear. gangs are nothing but cowards. we all know that. "

pebbles wrote on Apr 11, 2008 5:32 PM:

" The only thing a tiny bit amusing about this is the fact that 11 "hardcore" people have to "beat up" 1 person, causing no injuries bad enough to send him to the hosptial. I still say send our gangsters to a big city and see how well they fare with those gangs. "

bmi61704 wrote on Apr 11, 2008 5:32 PM:

" Obviously it is in OUR TOWN! People can rant and rave all they want about "not in our town" but it's happening!! It's real. Yes, something needs to be done about all of the violence, as it's getting worse. You can avoid/blame the "west side" all you want but believe me, it's on the east side too as that is where we live. We see it way too much all over town. "

Super J wrote on Apr 11, 2008 4:41 PM:

" Not In Our Town "

T wrote on Apr 11, 2008 4:35 PM:

" What can't fight your own battles gotta call your gang friends? How about 1 on 1? "

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