Trains.com

Chicago gangs looting container cars

3024 views
19 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, March 10, 2017 7:15 PM

jeffhergert
schlimm

+1  Governance in a democracy is very different than being the owner of your own company, where you can simply issue edicts to be obeyed.  Democratic governance requires consensus building and a willingness to compromise, something Rauner does not undestand or do. 

Unless you have conditions like we have in Iowa currently.  One party controls the Governor's office and both houses of the state congress.  Everything that's passed so far is mostly the party in power's long-time wish list.  That is, legislation that would never pass when one house was controlled by one party, the other house by the other party.

At least there is no grid-lock.Whistling

Jeff

and by now all election districts have been gerrymandered so as to insure that what is in power now will remain in power in the future.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, March 10, 2017 6:41 PM

schlimm

+1  Governance in a democracy is very different than being the owner of your own company, where you can simply issue edicts to be obeyed.  Democratic governance requires consensus building and a willingness to compromise, something Rauner does not undestand or do.  

 

Unless you have conditions like we have in Iowa currently.  One party controls the Governor's office and both houses of the state congress.  Everything that's passed so far is mostly the party in power's long-time wish list.  That is, legislation that would never pass when one house was controlled by one party, the other house by the other party.

At least there is no grid-lock.Whistling

Jeff 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,292 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Friday, March 10, 2017 4:54 PM

Shadow the Cats owner
Compromise takes 2 sides willing to bend and Both sides have to be willing to do so.  When one side looks at the other and laughs it is hard to want to compromise at all that is the situation our governor is faced with.

Politics in more than Illinois follow this broken pattern.  It is endemic in why the country is in the mess it is in.  Going through ALL LEVELS of ALL GOVERNMENTS.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 1,447 posts
Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Friday, March 10, 2017 4:40 PM

My drivers call the southside of Chicago Chiraq and we have several Iraq war vets who felt safer in Downtown Tikrit during the surge than they do anywhere in Chicago today.  I am talking about front line troops that were in daily combat or ran supply convoys into and out of that area that hate a major city in the USA.  We have gone so far as to have a bar lock installed 1/3rd of the way up on our trailer doors to try and slow cargo theft down around Chicago. 

 

Still it is next to impossible to stop it we tell our drivers if someone pulls a weapon on you give them the truck your life is worth more to us than the truck.  We can shutdown remotely any truck that one of our drivers reports stolen or hits the panic button on in less than 20 seconds and it also locks the transmission in gear preventing the truck from being towed out of the way to steal the trailer. 

 

As for the CPD and the Railroad Police up in Chicago well CPD is about worthless anymore the Railroad SA's do an excellent job with what they have to work with.  If the city gave 2 craps about stopping crime in Chicago maybe it would be a better city.  As for someone saying Ruaner has been pushinf for one thing only.  He has been in office just over 2 years.  How long has IL been in trouble a lot longer than that I can say over 2 decades for sure myself.  Who has been in power for all that time in the State Legislature and treats his power as his precious like Semgal from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  The mans Name is Mike Madigan read up on him sometimes if you want power mad.  Nothing gets done in Springfield budget or otherwise without his say so peroid.  Just a heads up on IL politics on why we are broken failed State. Compromise takes 2 sides willing to bend and Both sides have to be willing to do so.  When one side looks at the other and laughs it is hard to want to compromise at all that is the situation our governor is faced with. 

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Friday, March 10, 2017 1:33 PM

MarknLisa
Back in the mid to late 90's I worked at the JB Hunt Chicago terminal. It wasn't uncommon for feral neighborhood children to break seals and steal freight from trucks cued up to get into the Conrail 47th St & Englewood ramps. Drivers had to stay in their trucks and let it happen as we didn't want them to get shot. They'd report it to the Conrail police when they got to the gate. I don't recall this being a problem at other ramps in the city.
 

    Can't speak to how the local P.D. or railroad cops were as to the trailer break ins?     When I worked in Chicago, early 80's ( North end, of Bridgeport, by the(Then) Big Hole.)    It used to amaze me that the Lot Lizzards at the Stockyards T/S had access to 48" bolt cutters to check the freight in trailers parked there, and how NOBODY erver saw them? Also ,a little mind-boggling, was the number of times truckers used the Pershing Street Overpass(MPRR?), just East of Halsted, to check their trailer heights.Mischief   Chicago was a toddlin' town!Whistling

 

 


 

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, March 10, 2017 12:58 PM

BOB WITHORN
Now you can attack me instead. I really do enjoy all your BS

It doesn't bother me a bit.   I am perfectly happy with the choices I made in life.  No regrets here.    As for the spelling, I am writing to a magazine opinion forum.   Obviously my spelling is not an issue given the number of views I get on my posts.

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, March 10, 2017 12:58 PM

BOB WITHORN
Now you can attack me instead. I really do enjoy all your BS

It doesn't bother me a bit.   I am perfectly happy with the choices I made in life.  No regrets here.    As for the spelling, I am writing to a magazine opinion forum.   Obviously my spelling is not an issue given the number of views I get on my posts.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • 223 posts
Posted by MarknLisa on Friday, March 10, 2017 12:08 PM
Back in the mid to late 90's I worked at the JB Hunt Chicago terminal. It wasn't uncommon for feral neighborhood children to break seals and steal freight from trucks cued up to get into the Conrail 47th St & Englewood ramps. Drivers had to stay in their trucks and let it happen as we didn't want them to get shot. They'd report it to the Conrail police when they got to the gate. I don't recall this being a problem at other ramps in the city.
  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Friday, March 10, 2017 10:25 AM

schlimm
where you can simply issue edicts to be obeyed.



Which of course is the 1950's business model of running a company.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Friday, March 10, 2017 9:00 AM

samfp1943
samfp1943 wrote the following post 20 minutes ago: Just a couple of observations, form someone who spent his working life on the rubber-tired side of this issue. Thefts from Transportation generally come from two areas:

Way back in the day, I was a manager and later buyer for a large department store chain.  "Shrinkage" (difference between the books and actual inventory) came from three sources:

1. Internal (employee) theft.

2. Shoplifting.

3. Clerical errors.

Errors (usually in accounting) and employee theft were the biggest problem.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,170 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Friday, March 10, 2017 8:35 AM

Just a couple of observations, form someone who spent his working life on the rubber-tired side of this issue.

Thefts from Transportation generally come from two areas:

#1 A random act of 'opportunity' by an individual(s?) who are observing the 'passing parade', and select their 'target'.  [a Hit or Miss/play on percentages].

#2 A targeted 'Hit'; based on inside information, from any source, in the chain between the origin and destination of the goods.  Could also be targeted by simply,knowing 'what' is being shipped or received at a specific location. [The 'play' is that the odds favor the thief.

A.) Thieves target a truck load of merchandise siting in a 'truck stop' among lots of other loads (followed the truck from a shipper? Driver participation? or listed to conversation on CB,re: destination or possibly,looking for help in unloading?). **Cigaretttes,Whiskey,Guns,Expensive clothing, were big hits for thieves.

B.) 'Someone' inside of the supply chain targets the merchandise for theft:

(Has access to information/descriptions on BOL's).

Can give information on driver's habits(route,stops,etc). OR routing, and potential areas where the load might be 'paused'[availble to be targeted/accessed?] while in transit?

Security, and the measures available while the goods are in motion; depend on many,many variables for their effectiveness in thwarting theft from commercial transport. Unfortunately, it generally, comes down to the 'Cost-Benefit Metrics', in the end. My 2 Cents

 

 


 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Friday, March 10, 2017 8:32 AM

+1  Governance in a democracy is very different than being the owner of your own company, where you can simply issue edicts to be obeyed.  Democratic governance requires consensus building and a willingness to compromise, something Rauner does not undestand or do.  

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, March 10, 2017 7:02 AM

CMStPnP

Illinois is becomming a failed state.....   I just don't want to see Federal Money used to rescue them from the self-imposed mess they voted themselves into.

 
We're stuck with a governor who is a firm believer in union-busting, he demands that the General Assembly pass a "right-to-work-for-peanuts" law and refuses to negotiate over it.  He also thinks that running the state should not be any different than running a stock-manipulation (hedge) fund.
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    October 2014
  • From: Flint or Grand Rapids, Mi or Elkhart, It Depends on the day
  • 573 posts
Posted by BOB WITHORN on Friday, March 10, 2017 6:07 AM

[quote user="schlimm"]

 

 
CMStPnP

Illinois is becomming a failed state.....   I just don't want to see Federal Money used to rescue them from the self-imposed mess they voted themselves into.

 

 

 

As usual, you haven't a clue, nor can you spell.  But I suppose a failed sandwich shop operator knows about failure.

 

 

Schlimm,  Was that an attempt at humor or another far left shot just because he doesn't agree with you.  How much would it cost to have you actually say something nice about someone.   

 

       Now you can attack me instead. I really do enjoy all your BS, it reinforces my polar opposite opinions.

     Let the blood bath begin, you'll feel better, it's ok I have broad shoulders and can't spell.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Friday, March 10, 2017 12:45 AM

The last post on the previous discussion of this topic was written five days ago.

As for the welded bar, it wouldn't help.  No doubt the robbers are going for the higher containers on a double-stacked pair...the ends of the well themselves are usually enough to keep the lower containers' doors from being opened.  

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 9,610 posts
Posted by schlimm on Thursday, March 9, 2017 11:25 PM

CMStPnP

Illinois is becomming a failed state.....   I just don't want to see Federal Money used to rescue them from the self-imposed mess they voted themselves into.

 

As usual, you haven't a clue, nor can you spell.  But I suppose a failed sandwich shop operator knows about failure.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

  • Member since
    June 2009
  • From: Dallas, TX
  • 6,952 posts
Posted by CMStPnP on Thursday, March 9, 2017 10:21 PM

Illinois is becomming a failed state.....   I just don't want to see Federal Money used to rescue them from the self-imposed mess they voted themselves into.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Thursday, March 9, 2017 9:10 PM

I think we discussed this here not long ago.  The actual theft occurred a couple of years ago, as I recall, and the guns might have simply been a lucky hit.

Some of the guns have turned up at crime scenes.

Who pays for the losses?  Ultimately, you do, through increased product costs, increased insurance prices, etc.  It all gets passed down...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Georgia USA SW of Atlanta
  • 11,919 posts
Posted by blue streak 1 on Thursday, March 9, 2017 8:56 PM

Time for the Class 1s to work toward rerouting trains around Chicago ?  Who pays for all these losses ?

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Big Blackfoot River
  • 2,788 posts
Chicago gangs looting container cars
Posted by Geared Steam on Thursday, March 9, 2017 8:42 PM

Ran across this on Yahoo.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/03/09/chicagos-violent-gangs-looting-freight-cars-filled-with-guns.html

You think something could be put (welded) to the car floor, close to each end of the containers so when the seal is cut, it doesn't allow them to open the container door?  Or I guess these losses are minimal in the grand scheme of things its just written off as "shrinkage"?  

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy