My comment on Tuscaloosa Police Dept

[ashleync]

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I've been reading about these arrests and these issues off the field, and I must say, comparing some rough-housing and what-not to some of the issues we've seen at, say, TENNESSEE (not naming names) or Ohio State (Clarett comes to mind) is a far reach.

That out of the way, please pardon my conspiracy theory that I'm about to devulge.

We've all known that the University doesn't like the strip, and has worked methodically to shut down the businesses on it in order to maximize it's own financial gain from franchised businesses in place. Gone are the Vinyl Solutions, Tusks, and Booths of the world. In their place will be more main-stream, family friendly places. And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that.

But my theory is that the University is willing to take some bad news on a few players getting arrested out there, by a police department that has been instructed to create some scapegoats, all in an effort to build a case to take down the rest of the strip.

Laugh if you want. I really enjoyed the strip when I was there. But a criminal element has seeped in there over the past 10 years since I left Title-Town, and I think the University is 1) greedy, and 2) anxious to move that criminal element away from campus. The Tuscaloosa Police Dept has been told to make some examples by arresting high-profile athletes, and are working against the University, while at the same time working for the University.

It's just something I was thinking of. I don't want to get flamed or anything else, but I realize that I'm proposing some pretty serious allegations here, and I'll respect some other opinions, if offered.

[dayhiker]

What authority does the University have over TPD? I'm not being smart, just asking. University PD is a potentially different matter.

[dayhiker]

PS, I should probably move this to NS, but since it's after 5 I'll let it sit for a bit and see what happens.

[ashleync]

	Quote:	dayhiker
	What authority does the University have over TPD? I'm not being smart, just asking. University PD is a potentially different matter.

I understand what you're asking. I thought someone might ask this, right after I wrote what I did. The University doesn't have any actual authority over the TPD. And I'm making a pretty damning statement, hopefully won't get me in trouble. I guess I'm thinking more about the apparent authority that the University holds over so much of Tuscaloosa. That University if the lifeblood of that City, and County for that matter. What UA says goes. Making a deal with the TPD to further the University's cause in taking down what's left of the strip seems logical, even if it is a bit of black helicopter-ish.

[alextupelo]

	Quote:	ashleync
	I understand what you're asking. I thought someone might ask this, right after I wrote what I did. The University doesn't have any actual authority over the TPD. And I'm making a pretty damning statement, hopefully won't get me in trouble. I guess I'm thinking more about the apparent authority that the University holds over so much of Tuscaloosa. That University if the lifeblood of that City, and County for that matter. What UA says goes. Making a deal with the TPD to further the University's cause in taking down what's left of the strip seems logical, even if it is a bit of black helicopter-ish.

I think there is potential to what your saying but the down side is that without some sort of damning transcript its all speculation.

[dayhiker]

I think to make that charge you're basically saying the TPD Chief is willing to sway his ethics. That's a bold statement. If a request was made to tighten down on an area because of crime, he's going to say yes. If that request is made to be able to bulldoze an area so that it can be developed, I imagine the answer would be that development is not a public safety matter.

We're quickly getting into a dangerous area. Tread lightly.

[TiderInTally]

Ashleync, I know how you REALLY feel. Just like I do: saddened and sickened by the shameless Disney-ization of the Strip. One by one, the rotten dirtbag bars, and hole-in-the-wall eateries are being crushed and tossed to the curb like yesterday's Bud Light cans. Sooner or later, even the Tooth will be gone, and there will be Starbucks for everyone!

But to suggest that it's a conspiracy between the University and TPD? Black helicopters.

[dayhiker]

Being the engineer geek that I am, I don't have the same rememberances of the strip that most do, but shrimp fried rice takeout from Chang's on a Thursday night was a wonderful, wonderful thing. For some reason engineering prof's liked to give tests on Friday mornings.

[briancm]

dayhiker,

I agree with what you said. I will add that it is very possible that powers are connected to a point that there is no danger to anyones ethics being in jepordy. If you get my point.

[dayhiker]

Another consideration is the longterm master plan. Word is Dr. Whitt is shooting for 30k students in 5 years. UA is land locked except for heading west towards the strip. This isn't necessarily the empire building, sell out to development issue people are suggesting. The University wants to grow and there's only one direction they can head.

[Salty Dog @ Work]

WHile I understand the reluctance to cast aspersions regarding the ethics and motives of individuals, let me say this:

I know for a fact that there have been discussions among "right-minded civic leaders" regarding the "bad element" that the Strip and certain portions of the downtown area bring. Former bar owners/managers have told me just how much more difficult things became under Sorensen, as these "right-minded" individuals got a foothold in the UA administration by selling "improvements" to those who would listen.

I was even in attendance at a Tuscaloosa church when the pastor encouraged his congregation to increase the budgetary allotment to that church's fund dedicated to the future purchase of any proximate properties that were then occupied by "undesirable" business ventures.

There is a movement to clean up Tuscaloosa. Get rid of the strip and replace it with more acceptable enterprises, more profitable enterprises, and more mainstream enterprises. I am also not so unschooled in Tuscaloosa politics that I would dismiss the possibility that the good old boy network could encourage any city employee to see things its way..."for the good of Tuscaloosa," of course -- especially if it lined the right peoples' pockets with cash.

[dayhiker]

The bribery comment got it moved. The NS has a higher pain threshold for discussions so we'll see if Mr. Slab will let it stick.

[Salty Dog @ Work]

My comment wasn't about bribery. It was about profit.