Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 4, 2013 at 1:42pm

Scary and crazy. I hope that no one was injured by this idiot.

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Permalink Reply by El Dorado on October 5, 2013 at 9:19am

It describes the unmarked SUV units they use in the "ghettto" districts perfectly. Regardless, it sounds as if he/she was a danger. Most of the time police chases get called off due to the danger it poses to innocent bystanders.

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Permalink Reply by bk (aka: Dr. Mambohead) on October 5, 2013 at 7:21pm

they thot...is this the quick way to schaumburg!?!

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Permalink Reply by Bill Nedza on October 6, 2013 at 2:47am

Quite certain it was not a cop, for a few reasons -- the SUV was going 50+MPH down the path, doubtful a cop would be that idiotic, senseless, and dangerous -- seriously, he was within a few feet of cyclists, runners, and walkers.  No flashing lights of any kind -- even unmarked cars have dash lights they'll use.  When I told the cop at 31st street "I thought maybe he was the police chasing someone" he just looked at me and said "absolutely not, no way we'd ever do that".  So, who knows who it was, but the bottom line is that it was unbelievable.

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on October 6, 2013 at 3:30am

Are there any cameras down there?  The whole north end of the trail seems to have a camera on every other light pole.  But they may also be for watching Lake Shore Drive.

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Permalink Reply by Andy J on October 6, 2013 at 6:05am

I know plenty of folks on the job in the CPD, and consider them dear friends whose work I genuinely respect. I've also driven with them. This sounds like a cop (maybe off duty) to me.

The harsh reality is that if you see someone driving (or parking) like a madman in the city, 50/50 it's a cop or a gang-banger. Both groups believe the own the streets.

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Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 6, 2013 at 11:46am

Andy's right, and I count plenty of police officers as family and friends. If you see a car blow a red light, for example, there's a 90% chance it's being driven by a cop. Stopping (or even slowing down) for stop signs is a coin toss.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 7, 2013 at 4:24am

Let's not generalize all cops, just like we would not like people to generalize all of us as people who ride bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Nedza on October 7, 2013 at 5:01am

yes, cops may run red lights and stop signs, etc. --- but seriously, a cop would have to be an absolute IDIOT, with no regard to safety and human life, to drive at 50+ MPH on the lakefront path within just a few feet of cyclists, runners, baby strollers, etc. -- I'm telling you, this SUV was close enough to me where I could have reached out and touched it -- and turning around I saw him within a few feet of people.  I sincerely doubt any cop in his right mind would ever drive so recklessly as to put his career and people's lives in jeopardy.  

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Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on October 7, 2013 at 5:12am

Absolutely. 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Let's not generalize all cops, just like we would not like people to generalize all of us as people who ride bikes.

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Permalink Reply by Eli on October 7, 2013 at 5:20am

Anyone else remember the cop last year who decided to drive around the crossing gate at a Brown Line grade crossing and ended up colliding with the train? She was extremely lucky, she could easily have caused not only her own death but that of many passengers. It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility that a cop would decide to take the LFP at speed.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on October 7, 2013 at 5:24am

As the son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend (and enemy) of many many many cops, just let me say that if a cop is driving on the LFP, he or she will have the lights on.  Even an off-duty or drunk cop would use that to clear the path.  As several cases over the past few years have played out, the media and the brass will nail any cop who gets a DUI or other violation.  My money is on lost/idiotic civilian: over the years, I've seen literally dozens of cabs, for instance, wander onto the path (usually around Belmont and other north side cross-streets, but also on the south side, and usually at night).  

But we're all just speculating.  No way to know for sure unless we get evidence from someone else who saw this guy.

Eli said:

Anyone else remember the cop last year who decided to drive around the crossing gate at a Brown Line grade crossing and ended up colliding with the train? She was extremely lucky, she could easily have caused not only her own death but that of many passengers. It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility that a cop would decide to take the LFP at speed.

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