It was 6 a.m. Many women, mostly alone, pounded the pavement through Grant Park in their expensive running shoes. Each one breathed heavily as she got in her morning regimen before heading to her job.
The runners exhibited their strength and athleticism, but that didn’t necessarily alleviate their fear entirely as they ran. Wide-eyed, the majority of women glanced over their shoulders every few moments, to make sure no one was following them.
Explained one woman: “While I try to be cautious, I get scared. But see that police car over there? It makes me feel safer.”
The runner was unaware that the policewomen in the car were sleeping. When told, the woman reacted in disbelief, then shock. Within seconds, her shock turned to anger. “I won’t be running here any more. Actually I love running outdoors in the city, but I’m so frustrated that there are so many stories about police sleeping on the job. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
Admittedly, I didn’t stick around to ask the policewomen any questions, since they were sound asleep. The driver’s head was slumped over the steering wheel as her partner snoozed in the passenger seat.
The runner was right. A lot of sleeping police officers on duty have been sighted. Now if only Mayor Richard Daley would do something about the situation. Meanwhile, one keeps hearing that unemployment rates are declining. I’m considering applying for a job on the police force. If I can get my fellow taxpayers to pay me to sleep, I think I may have just found my dream job. I’ll give it some thought.
