Had enough with code of silence

Never truer words were spoken when attorney Flint Taylor described the city of Chicago’s actions after losing a jury trial against Chicago bartender Karolina Obrycka when she sued the city for then police officer Anthony Abbate’s actions. The city has now filed a motion to erase the landmark verdict that found that a code of silence existed in the police department.

I’m not sure how many are really surprised by this verdict. I know that I’m not. In fact, I think it safe to propose that a code of silence exists in many police departments — not only in Illinois, but across the nation. How many people have tried to work against this corrupt system only to fail? I am certain that if that damaging videotape didn’t show up, Abbate would still be working on the force, touting how Obrycka was the aggressor as he did under oath. Thank God for technology.

I think the most telling factor in all of this was the city’s inability to do the right thing. They failed miserably to take a stand and acknowledge to the Citizens of Chicago and Obrycka herself, that Abbate’s actions were reprehensible and that they would make changes to policy to ensure that something like that never happened again. But the city took the low road. They forced Obrycka to trial and she won. I am not surprised by that decision either, as many of us can sympathize with Obrycka.

How many stories have we heard were crimes have been covered up by police departments, state’s attorney’s offices, school districts and churches? I have lost count. How many more will we hear before the people given this kind of power get it? You won’t be able to hide anymore. We’re not going to take it anymore.

Debra Seitz

Wasco