Page 9 - October 2015

RAY CASIANO, JR.
FOP is here to “Serve and Protect” you,
so that you can better “Serve and Protect” the citizens of Chicago.
God Bless!
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
‘Dying to stay alive’
BrothersandSisters,HappyHalloween,aholiday During arbitration, the member gave testimony as to the
that we will remember by the many ghosts, vam- pires and witches in our neighborhoods ringing our doorbells for sweet treats. Unfortunately, other neighborhoods will remember this holiday by “dying to stay alive” as was the case last month dur- ing Labor Day weekend.
As reported by the local news during that week- end, 54 people were shot; eight fatally. That gives a new meaning to being “blown away” by the Windy
City. Our members patrolling the streets and assigned to the Detec- tive Units did a great job last month handling the demands put on them despite the blue line being spread thin due to a lack of man- power.
During my attendance at the mayor’s 2016 budget release he announced the reassignment of more than 300 officers back to the streets from administrative positions, among other ideas. The cri- teria used to reassign officers is that anyone in a position that did not require a gun, a badge or arrest powers would go back to patrolling the streets. Finally, some type of admission from the Fifth Floor that more manpower is needed to fight crime. So let’s hire more and stop the shuffling game. We need more boots on the ground!
Human behavior, as it is, can be difficult to predict even with some of the latest technology. Now add the criminal aspect to it, and it is even more difficult. The way I see it, criminals are oppor- tunists. We have to put more boots on the ground to prevent those opportunities. Do not put any restrictions on hiring more police officers when our way of life is “dying to stay alive” and threatened by these criminals. Our city, and its politicians, should seek all rea- sonable remedies available to hire more police. It would be in the best interest of the city to do so. This problem did not happen overnight or with our current mayor, but it sits on his desk to fix it as noted in his 2016 budget proposal.
Medical Corner
In September, we had a medical grievance from several years ago that finally went to arbitration. A Lodge attorney prepared the member to testify prior on the set date. In short, it was an IOD with restrictions causing the member to work on a limited-duty status. The member was ordered to work outside of the restrictions and was reinjured.
events that lead to the injury and the city gave legal arguments. But, before the city could call on its star witness (a supervisor), its representatives decided to offer a settlement to our member. Some deliberation took place between the member, our attorney and me. The member felt that the offer was good and cleared the Lodge to accept the offer. Although it would of have been nice for the city and Lodge to settle this matter before arbitration, it was still an offer that stayed in our control, and out of the arbitrator’s control, giving our member great satisfaction.
The Lodge has done a great job in securing our benefits within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and when needed, we should use them. I am specifically referring to reporting IODs. If you get hurt while on duty, take the time to report it and have it documented in an IOD report. Don’t worry about peer pressure from your unit or bothering a supervisor with the responsibility to take the report. No matter how small it may be, you may not realize the seriousness of your injury until the next days or weeks. Toughing it out for the sake of a side job or not wanting to generate work for a supervisor may cost you more than you are willing to spend.
In my efforts to bring settlement awards to our members in a timely manner, once grievances are settled with the city, please contact Maggie O'Grady or myself if you have not received your settlement award.
Acknowledgments
In September, our members assigned to the Marine Unit were tasked with the search for remains of a baby from a lagoon at Garfield Park. I was contacted by a member on my way home from the office who informed me that no one from EAP had reached out to talk to them. I made a detour to the unit as I contacted EAP. Once at the unit I reminded them of the services that EAP has to offer.
Many of us are parents, and I can’t image what it must have felt like doing the job they did. I am sure they thought of the innocence of their own kids and wondered how anyone could have done this to a child. I give a solemn salute to the members of the Marine Unit for their fortitude and profession- alism. d
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2015