As the American Revolutionary War concluded in 1781, the work to establish a system of government for the new nation began. The ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence burned brightly. However, in its first years, America struggled in outlining the form and substance of the national political union. From May through September 1787, the states held a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Our U.S. Constitution was agreed upon by the delegates on the 17th of September. Most Americans are not aware that we are to honor that day, each year, as Constitution Day. Today, our nation is once again in the midst of a political struggle, and we would be wise to remember that the constitution still matters. [Click the link below to read more.]
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Thomas Lemmer, the founder of Secure 1776, will once again be presenting at the Midwest Security & Police Conference/Expo (MSPCE). The annual two-day event is hosted by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. MSPCE 2023 will be held this week, on 10 and 11 August 2023, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, in Tinley Park, Illinois. The expo will showcase the latest products and services from more than 130 vendors. The event also includes a comprehensive training conference accredited by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Lemmer will be presenting two of the conference training sessions on 10 August. The first, “You Ask Yourself, Why Me? Why Now?” The second, “Leadership and the Police Policy Principles.” [Click the link below to read more.]
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Dawn today brought with it another Fourth of July in America. Nearly two and a half centuries have passed since the representatives of the several British colonies in America declared their independence. Even sports fans and gamblers often reflect back on glorious wins. Their excitement echoes the difference when the outcome defies the odds. Victory and independence for America were far from certain. The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew fully this reality. The consequences for losing would be severe. Even just attempting to pursue liberty would bring many challenges and hardships. Such is the way of great accomplishments. As a people, we must acknowledge two truths. The success of the American Revolution did not just defy the odds. The blessings of liberty are a gift from God greater than any athletic achievement. Cherish liberty and thank God for this day. [Click the link below to read more.]
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Too many shoplifters in your town? At least one community in Kenosha County, Wisconsin wants fewer reports of retail theft. But, actually stopping the stealing can be a challenge. The Village of Somers has an idea. If a store has too much theft, just make the merchant pay a $500 fee for calling the police. How much is too much? Well it used to be 20 calls a month. Now it will be 10 retail theft calls a month. We agree. Ten thefts from your store a month is too many. Worse, all of those calls makes it look like the village has a crime problem. Less calls, fewer reports. Fewer reports, less crime. Well, sort of. We did not say making a crime victim pay for police service was a good idea. [Click the link below to read more.]
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There was a time before smartphones. A time before the internet. Perhaps when we relied upon the people to be smart, we were a far more thoughtful nation. It was not possible to scroll through mountains of the inane in a mirage seeking significance. No, its more than perhaps, an ease of technology makes true contemplation more difficult. Not so long ago, if you sought to remember a far-off loved one on a holiday, you had to plan ahead. It required actually writing a meaningful message, as there were no gifs or jpegs. If you sought to leave a written message, you needed to rely on the post office, and you needed a stamp. A particular stamp I first saw as a child comes to mind today. Why that stamp? Why today? Because today is Memorial Day, not the start of summer. [Click the link below to read more.]
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This past January, the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women (MMCW) Act took effect in Illinois. The act was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in June of 2022. The legislation created a task force seeking to examine the issue of missing and murdered women in Chicago. Under the act, the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP) was among the agencies and organizations authorized to nominate a task force member. The ILCAP nominated former Chicago Police Deputy Chief Thomas Lemmer to serve on the task force. In April, Executive Director Delrice Adams, from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), formally approved Lemmer’s appointment. The first session of the task force was held on 24 May 2023. [Click the link below to read more.]
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The Chicago Police Department (CPD) will take the lead in paying respects to slain Police Officer Areanah M. Preston. Sadly, the department has considerable experience in how to render honors to a fallen member. Police Officer Preston was the second CPD officer murdered this year. The pain of the loss of Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso is still raw. Areanah is due our respect for how she lived, and for her willingness to be a peacemaker. She and her family are owed our unending thanks and prayers for the cost she paid for being a police officer. We encourage all who can attend the wake or funeral to do so, and if you cannot to at least pause, reflect, and sincerely pray for her and her family. But what else? [Click the link below to read more.]
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Officials have confirmed the murder of yet another Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer. The incident occurred about 1:45 a.m. today, 6 May 2023. The identity of the murdered female police officer was not initially released, but has since been confirmed as Areanah Preston. We join all those mourning her loss, most particularly her family. That is the most important part of this story. Lawlessness in Chicago remains a serious issue, and the city has lost another officer to violence. But, there is also another undercurrent worth noting. Even before linking to their reporting on the March murder of Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, Chicago’s ABC affiliate linked its readers to their article on the release of body camera footage in a completely unrelated police shooting. Media bias? [Click the link below to read more.]
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Going back to the height of THE pandemic, polling by Gallup showed public confidence in key institutions was low. Even as the news media has pushed narratives focusing on other institutions, the public held the media in very low regard. Like trust in Congress low. There are many reasons to hold the media in low regard. A leading choice since 2020, THE pandemic excuse. That excuse was a favorite for the Associated Press (AP) and others in the media. While ridiculous, the beyond simplistic cover story was used to explain away huge problems caused by horrible public policies. Issues like a crushed economy. Well sure. But also rising violence and even reckless driving. But, this week National Public Radio (NPR) read from a new script. Rising traffic deaths just may have more to do with the consequences from lessened traffic enforcement by the police than Covid. Shocking. Well not really. [Click the link below to read more.]
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Since the Summer of 2021, we have raised the question as to whether Chicago was becoming a Hadleyville. In the 1952 film classic High Noon, the fictional town of Hadleyville was the setting for an epic tale of a broken bond between a community and its marshal. There gunmen openly sought to murder the town marshal, at “high noon,” without any concern the town would stand up in support of the rule of law. Polling this month by the firm Schoen Cooperman Research (SCR) suggests most Chicago voters want greater public safety. That polling is in advance of the 4 April 2023 runoff election for Mayor of Chicago. The polling data also shows most Chicago voters support the Chicago Police Department (CPD). [Click the link below to read more.]
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The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, Executive Institute (ILETSB-EI) hosts a comprehensive police executive development program multiple times a year. The 100-hour course, Police Executive Role in the 21st Century, consists of three weeks of classroom modules. Secure 1776 founder Thomas Lemmer is again among the leaders tapped to provide instruction. Lemmer will be presenting all day on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 at the Peoria Police Department. Lemmer will be covering the core issues of accountability, supervisory engagement, leadership, and police policy. [Click the link below to read more.]
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Late yesterday afternoon, Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso was murdered as he honored his sacred oath. He and other police officers were responding to a domestic-related call of a man with a gun. As Officer Vasquez Lasso was coming to the defense of a victim, and a community, he was wounded by the offender. Despite the efforts of his fellow officers and medical personnel, Officer Vasquez Lasso did not survive the attack. His murder is a tragedy for his family, and a tragedy for a city that struggles against lawlessness. [Click the link below to read more.]
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Martin Luther King, Jr. was an inspiring Christian pastor who advanced the founding principles of America. He lived in turbulent times, and he made a difference. We have long known that it is through adversity that the strength of our character emerges. When individuals of strong character dedicate their lives to improving the lives of millions of others, greatness can occur. Greatness emerged in Dr. King. He challenged his fellow citizens to fulfill the promise of the American creed. His efforts advanced the moral strength of our nation. The legacy of his words and life continue to provide clarity on the importance of character. For this, on the national holiday honoring his birth, we are right to say thank you to Dr. King. [Click the link below to read more.]
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