LETTER: Joliet Police Union Endorses O'Dekirk for Mayor

Letter submitted by Mike DeVito

I am the president of the Joliet Fraternal Order of Police Patrolmen’s Union and I would like all Joliet residents to know that the patrol officers of Joliet looked at all the candidates running for mayor of Joliet and we voted overwhelmingly in favor of endorsing Bob O’Dekirk.

Bob spent ten years as a member of the Joliet Police Department working to protect our families by being fair, smart and brave. Bob eventually left the police force to pursue a career as an attorney, which he practices in the same Joliet courthouse he used to testify as an officer. There are many ways to serve Joliet families, and Bob has done an excellent job whether it was patrolling the streets or defending Joliet families in the courtroom.

Bob understands that most crime can be eliminated through prevention, not reaction. By the time 911 is called, the damage has already been done although the criminals can eventually be caught.

I think most Joliet families agree that we would all prefer to prevent crime rather than deal with the aftermath, but that takes the adequate staffing and proper training and equipping of patrol officers on the street.

It is very clear that Joliet is short of the adequate number of police officers it needs to prevent crime, and the result has been a terrible spike in violent crime and murders in Joliet.

Bob O’Dekirk will work to make our streets safe again and he has the knowledge and experience to do it.

Mike DeVito, President

Joliet Fraternal Order of Police Patrolmen’s Union