And gathered on Lake was the usual group;
The club goers ready for Holiday cheer
And Police Officers donned in their bulletproof gear.
Most people came just to party and dance,
To get a few drinks or to look for romance.
But some fellas came with intentions to fight,
As they'd done for the past year, each Saturday night.
The locals were nestled all snug in their bed,
Though visions of gang fighting filled them with dread.
When out on the street there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash
And grabbed for my camera when I heard a crash.
Then, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a fist fight comprised of eight guys drunk on beer.
Some guy was "writing" his name in the snow.
Another was calling his girlfriend a "ho".
Just a few feet away yet another group fought,
With nary a worry they may soon be caught.
Three guys in a car thought they'd join the affair
When one of them waved a big bat in the air;
Just the usual medley of bangers and thugs,
With some high on liquor and others on drugs.
From Halsted to Green they continued to brawl,
Then Officer Ken gave the precinct a call.
Lieutenant Jeri dispatched who she could.
The Police were familiar with this neighborhood.
The melee continued, they beat and they pounded,
Till off in the distance Police sirens sounded.
It was just a few seconds, reinforcements came quick.
I knew in a moment that they'd do the trick.
They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work;
Handcuffed a fighter and arrested a jerk.
But as one fight was stopped yet another'd begin.
At the end of the block they were at it again.
Some guy hit another until the man bled,
With a punch to the stomach and a blow to the head.
A bouncer was beating a patron nonstop,
And then was arrested when he swung at a cop.
For too many months they'd been out of control,
Even with all the Officers on foot patrol.
With precautions and warnings, some still wouldn't learn.
Now everyone's safety was a real concern.
But Police were determined to do all they can,
So the local Commander devised a new plan.
More drastic measures were needed posthaste
To tackle the violence with which we were faced.
To discourage disputes at the evening's soir�e,
The new "Lake Street Lockdown" is now underway.
Beginning at midnight they start the countdown,
And from Halsted to Green the whole street is closed down.
Barricades a block long are lined up with care
To manage the crowds that will congregate there.
Yet it doesn't seem right it should take all this work
To keep a few rowdies from going berserk.
To reason with some doesn't made them take heed.
Another approach is perhaps what we need.
For most violations a business is fined
And payments may hasten a new frame of mind.
Streets & San warned the clubs 'bout the problems with trash
And they reacted quickly since it'd cost them some cash.
Other companies pay when they need more assistance,
As the nightclubs should also do at our insistence.
So let's propose that the nightclubs should pay the Police
For the Officers' wages who must keep the peace;
And add on a surcharge each time there's a fight,
With a cost per policeman who's sent there that night.
Now we know when there's trouble the Police must respond,
But this nightclubbing nonsense is above and beyond.
If the club's own "security" can't maintain control,
A monetary payment should then be the goal.
It's because off the nightclubs these problems evolved,
So let's fine them for each one until they're resolved.
If you charge for each ambulance sent to the scene,
I surmise that the clubs may clean up their routine.
The locals should charge too, when they've a complaint
Or must pick up beer bottles or clean up spray paint.
Let's charge for the people who can't get to sleep;
With current noise levels that's not going to be cheap!
With a payment for buildings that have been defaced,
And for street lamps and signs posts where posters are placed;
They should make restitution each time there are beatings
And pay all the neighbors who must attend meetings.
But for now it's the tax payers who're paying the price
For indifferent employers who've not learned to play nice.
Most ask why the City has let this persist,
With advice or a warning and a slap on the wrist.
To date all we've heard are excuses and blame.
Must we go to more meetings for more of the same?
These neighborhood problems have gone on too long!
How much time does one need to discern "right" from "wrong"?
All these preventive measures seem rather severe,
And is THIS how we all want to start the New Year?
We'll continue our vigil till things are made right,
And till everyone can have a peaceful good-night.