On Notice: Lynwood Cops

I am putting Lynwood, Illinois cops on notice. I am tired of corruption in their ranks and they just pissed off the wrong Polock. Take a look at the letter I wrote that is going out today. If you are tired with corrupt cops, please send a copy of this letter to the Governor of the State of Illinois and sign your name. I, for one, have HAD it and I think this will have to make its way to the Chicago Tribune as well.

April 22, 2011

Russell Pearson
Chief of Police
Village of Lynwood
21460 Lincoln Highway
Lynwood, IL 60411

Dear Mr. Pearson:

It is with great regret that I find myself writing you today concerning an incident between one of your officers and my cousin, Robert Pluskota. My cousin was unjustly treated and I would like this situation to be rectified. This letter will refer to this officer as “Officer Nobody” since my cousin did not receive a copy of the ticket for the alleged offense.

On April 14, 2011 at around 11:00 a.m., “Bob” was coming home from cashing his income tax refund when he was stopped outside his own home by Officer Nobody for an expired tag on his vehicle. Upon closer examination, it was found that the tag was not expired and Officer Nobody admitted that the stop was a mistake. The issue should have ended right there, but it didn’t. Officer Nobody claimed that Bob did not use a turn signal when turning into the drive of his own complex and that Bob had an obstruction in his line of vision. Let me address these one at a time.

• Firstly, since Officer Nobody admitted there was a mistake in his original reason for pulling Bob over, the issue should have been dropped. Has Officer Nobody never made a mistake and admitted to it? If not, then he is the first person in history never to make a mistake and we should be lauding his accomplishments.

• Secondly, I know for a fact that Bob knew he was being stalked by Officer Nobody and purposely made certain to follow all driving laws. Does Officer Nobody have nothing better to do than to stalk citizens on their way home from cashing a check? Did he think he should get a cut of it?

• Thirdly, Bob had a crucifix hanging from his rear view mirror. I would like to know since when is a crucifix an impediment to vision unless it is a foot in diameter right in front of the driver? Does Officer Nobody have something against faith, religious freedom or the Catholic Church?

• Fourthly, it is apparent to me that Officer Nobody stopped Bob for no good reason and then proceeded to make it worse by his bogus claims and subsequent arrest of my cousin. Why did he not receive a copy of the ticket if he was stopped for an offense he supposedly committed?

• Fifthly, Officer Nobody showed no respect to my aunt and uncle when they came out of their home to talk to this “peace officer”. He was abusive in language, tone and action. My aunt and uncle are well into their 60’s and are no threat to anyone, especially an overzealous cop anxious to make a name for himself.

You may think that my judgment is biased, and you would be correct in that assumption. I know for a fact everything that Bob Pluskota has done to get his life on track after being derailed in the first third of his life. Bob has been sober for over two years, is a good father and contributing member of society. He has made tremendous progress and now with the callous and harassing actions of your subordinate, he has been set back at least a year if not forever. His arrest could cost him his job and that is not something that anyone can afford to lose these days. Would it have been so wrong for Officer Nobody to turn around and leave after admitting his mistake in pulling Bob over? No, it would have been the right thing to do.

Exactly why was Officer Nobody stalking Bob Pluskota in the first place when there are so many other pressing issues in Lynwood? I know well the issues that Lynwood is facing with gang violence and corruption since the close of the projects in Chicago. My family hails from there and I make it a point to keep my finger on the pulse of current events.

You may wonder why I am concerned with this event if I live so far away. The answer is simple. I am against all injustice, both from citizens and from those who are sworn to “protect and serve”. The citizens pay Officer Nobody’s salary, a fact he would do well to remember. He is not entitled to harass citizens for offenses they did not commit. If Bob had violated the law for which he was stopped, this letter would not have been necessary. But he did not. Let it go and expunge this from his record. I look forward to reading your response.

Very truly yours,

Lynn Reichard
6369 Thornfield
Memphis, TN 38134
901-485-4898
Crystal.reichard@yahoo.com

Cc: Eugene Williams, Mayor of Lynwood
Village of Lynwood
21460 Lincoln Highway
Lynwood, IL 60411

Pat Quinn
Governor of the State of Illinois
Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601

Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706