Wyoming Poachers

 

Wyoming Poachers

A recent headline.

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston is planning to cut $45 million from city agencies including the police to help fund a program to deal with a recent influx of migrants

Seeing an opportunity to solve staffing issues, The Laramie (Cheyenne) County Sheriff bought a billboard in Denver.

This coming shortly after Denver is launching some unicorn fart plan to stop crime that will require staffing with some police.

Crime

Surprisingly, the Denver Mayor isn’t pleased.

Umbrage

Californicating Colorado

Colorado ranks 21st in the country by population and 13th in the country in state debt. As I’ve written many times the only reason the debt isn’t higher is, in part, because of TABOR, a 1992 voter passed amendment to the Colorado Constitution. In simple terms, the Taxpayers Bill of Rights severely restricts all government entities, from the Colorado Legislators to a local water district in the way taxes can be raised. Further, all surpluses must be returned to the taxpayers as a refund.

 Checking the Revenuer's  site, my refund check is, “In the mail”, but may take up to thirty days to arrive. Huh?

Every since Colorado turned blue politically, the (P)regressives have been seeking ways around TABOR. In the last session, they have passed some TABOR ‘reforms’. Just what they passed is hard to learn but should keep some lawyers busy.

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In the pasts, they have not done due diligence (surprise) and now there is another mess. 

Where are the auditors?

This one has me totally confused and, it seems, I’m not alone. Perhaps it is, Figures don’t lie, liars figure”.

But, but californication is falling behind. Not to worry, their gas prices are coming to the Front Range soon. 

That will leave a mark

I Want the Out the Door Price

While retired from the car biz, I still have an interest. Before the internet I bought nearly every book on, “How to buy a car”, that I came across. Now I browse YouTube, etc. and watch the talking heads telling people how do save thousands by following their advice (oh, you can subscribe for a modest amount).

Reality check. If your credit is so shitty you need a co-signer for cash, if you owe more on your trade than the wholesale value, and you don’t have a cash down payment, save your time. You are not in a strong bargaining position.

If you are a solid citizen, or dripping in Krugerrands like one blogger we know, your situation is different. You still won’t walk into a dealership and dictate how they will do business with you.

Back in the day you would get ten minutes of my time. That is how long it would take me to write down the M.S.R.P., add Dealer handling and hand write plus taxes and license fees the state mandates we collect. In my mind I know you want a hunting license to take to Down The Road Motors and see if they will beat the deal. Fuck you! Your one purchase won’t make or break our dealership and there is always an ass for every seat.

“Can’t you do better” was the usual question asked in a peeved tone of voice?

“What is your offer”, would be my response?

What most customers don’t know, and YouTube pontificators won’t tell, is something called Consumer Satisfaction Index. The buyer gets a survey from the manufacturer and can rate the dealer and sales person. The manufacturer uses this as a club tying things like inventory allocation, hidden rebates, etc. to the CSI. The buyer who comes in with the above attitude almost never gives the dealership a good rating. Why would a dealership want that sale?

Now we come to the much maligned 4 square. It is nothing more than a communication enabler. You may not like it. Be assured in that back room where the managers are evaluating a sale, some variation of that is on their computer screen. What you won’t see, that the manager sees, is proprietary information.

One last thing, the words of Honest Art Kinsman, the Working Man’s Friend, who I’ve mentioned in previous posts.

“I’ll take a $300 deal if I have to. It is all iron and I can get more iron than customers. Before I take a $300 deal, I will grind the tits off the customer”. Art's time was before C.S.I.

Point. If you want that super deal, be prepared for an hour or two of having your tits ground off.

Bad News

Brianna Klass, a granddaughter, was in a terrible automobile accident and severely injured. She was a passenger when the driver had a seizure. She was turned sideways trying to steer the car when they collided with another car. As my grandson Connor put it, she ended up being an airbag for the driver. Her Facebook post. https://www.facebook.com/bri.klass

She is a great human being, a hard worker, and doesn’t know the word quit. Eternal question. Why does bad things happen to the really good people?

Figures don’t lie, liars figure EV news

Long story about EV sales in Colorado. 

Shambles

Key points are the huge subsidies now offered ($21K). Dealers speak well of the ‘progress’ now that they can get all that inventory off their books before the cars have more birthdays (monthly curtailments on flooring). Econazies seldom let facts get in their way.

Want a sober truth? Nationwide two year old used EVs are selling for two thirds of their original M.S.R.P.

Wary consumers will do well to check that shinny gas free ride qualifies for those incentives and/or tax credits. Often hidden is a requirement for a certain percentage must be of UAW, oppsie, USA source.

As always, YMMV.

Colorado Weather - Beware

 Springtime in the Rockies

My maternal grandfather would always say, “I don’t care if you go naked, bring all the clothes you got”. Toponas, CO circa 1956 an April blizzard shut down both the highway and railroad for four days.

For today, Banner is enjoying his sunbath on the balcony.

A Colorado government program that actually works as intended?

Works more or less as intended. It hasn’t been hijacked (yet) by (P)regressives.

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Volunteer funding by people who are bad at math is a great idea, IMO, and I am one of the volunteers.

Faster than a speeding train

Banner hearing the refrigerator door open

Drones

My sister in an independent insurance adjuster who is often called to investigate truck wrecks in Wyoming and Nebraska. Most are on I-80 and she must contend with traffic speeding by. She is exploring using drones but is hampered by Wyoming winds. More experience will lead to better results. I’m all in favor of anything that lowers her risks.

My criminality thwarted

Recently I parked across the street from the barber shop and jaywalked. Haircut complete, walked up to the curb with car keys in hand and waited for traffic to clear. A Greeley police car pulled up behind my car and sat there until I walked up to the corner and pressed the crosswalk button before moving on. Oh well, exercise is good.

Francis Scott Key Bridge failure

Disclaimer. I’ve no knowledge or experience in ship handling. What surprised me was the damage to one structural support could bring down so much of the bridge. Was that because of faulty engineering? From available pictures it appears the structural steel portion collapsed.

 Some sixty years ago the Army spent several weeks teaching a few of us the rudiments of destroying structures. We were taught bridges have built in shear points. Failure of one portion would be isolated from the rest of the bridge. We were taught to look for these shear points and exploit them.  An example used in our instruction was the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen.

Just to be clear, only enough of the bridge remained intact enough to get troops across to secure a defensible bridge head. Soon a float bridge was across that could support heavy vehicle.

Californication guide

TABOR

Colorado is unique in having passed a Constitution amendment called the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Two important points are all tax increases must be subject to a vote by the taxpayers and excess taxes collected be returned to the taxpayer. ($800 this year).

IMO, this is the only thing preventing total Californication by (P)regressives. Recently a water district got a TABOR smack down. 

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By national standards home taxes in Colorado are among the lowest in the country. Without TABOR Portland, OR will happen. Portland? Median home value is taxed at $14,000+ annually.

Spendthrift politicians are always seeking ways to get around TABOR. Fees are popular.  For those interested, here is a long and somewhat arcane explanation.

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 As always, YMMV

Stirring the Pot - My Favorite Activity

Democrat Dissenters

Colorado House of Representatives

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Hope this ends business as usual. Interesting that newly elected Democrats are doing this.

Policing

In my youth I was told, bluntly, by a Sheriff that with my temper I was not suitable material for law enforcement. He was correct. This, from our local rag, would rapidly end what little patience I may or may not possess.

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Bless those who can interact with idiots and still keep their cool.

WTF

Another example of demanding special treatment of illegal immigrants.

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Yeah, let the inmates run the asylum.

Grudgingly giving credit where it is due

For all my bitching about the American Media Maggots (h/t BZ) I think this news article is creditable. I find bias but note opinion from both sides are presented along with the name and city of those expressing opinions.

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So rare, today.

Aging

My 79^th Birthday has passed. An amazing number of people left good wishes on Falsebook. It surprises me that many people are still willing to speak to me. I thanked all individually then posted this.

Many thanks for the birthday wishes and calls. Today I count my blessings that I still have health, mobility, and purpose while avoiding the scourge of cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer's. Fortune has smiled on me.

Few of us know how many days we have left. When I leave or return to my apartment I see this reminder.

The jigsaw puzzle was contributed by one of Banner’s admirers.      

Science I can Support

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Useful and beneficial. Now to see how the spin doctors can tie this to climate change (yep, I’m a cynic).

Drag Racing

While never a big fan of drag racing, I’ve watched a  few races here over the years.

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It will be sad to see that site covered with ticky tacky condos and apartments.

The family is planning a new facility east of DIA.  Good luck with that. High "Karen" factor.

Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing

The Republicans flaying the Statsi director. Who believes anything concrete will come of it?

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My personal opinion is Ken Buck is about as close to an honest congressman as to found in the D.C. sewer these days. Sisty probably doesn't agree.

Bottom Line First

Something that I learned early on in business; state the bottom line first. Then expand to details as necessary or desired.

I watch a lot of YouTube videos. I understand the need for “click bait”. Too often the talking head drones on and on without getting to the bottom line. That results in me either clicking off or zipping to the end.

A popular video I watch is Matt’s Off Road Recovery. It gets a million views. They usually start with, “We got a call for……………” Bottom line first. Details follow.

OK, WSF, you slipped in a rant. Hypocrite!

Climate Change Propaganda

Never ends, rarely accurate.

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“Settled science” is regularly contradicted.

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The cynics among us know scientific studies will find what those funding the studies want to be found.

What is needed is a study why public confidence in science studies is diminishing.  Yes, yes, Captain Obvious.

Gaia’s cycles span centuries. How arrogant of us mere mortals to think we can alter those cycles within our puny lifetimes.

As always, YMMV

Could Have Gone South In A Hurry

The police seldom know what they might come up against. How do you train for something like this?

https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/affidavit-greeley-police-officer-stopped-massive-explosion-when-he-shot-man-at-oil-and-gas-tank-battery/

Missile Park was the site of an Atlas missile silo about eight miles WNW of Greeley, CO in Weld County.

 Weld County has something like 23,000 oil and gas wells. Of course, not all are active. The county ranks around 11^th of all USA counties for petroleum production and produces 2/3rds of Colorado’s petroleum.  Energy production and storage sites are everywhere including Missile Park.

Not much happens out there. A few live there in their RVs until they are told to move on. It is a popular spot at night for car romances. The road dead ends and only a few houses are out that way.

Hats off to the LEOs that managed to, liberally, defuse the situation with no loss of life.

Cop Stories - Personal and Family

Two negative rants about recent police encounters involving family and myself.

First involves a probable stolen car. At my part time job is a parking lot that is somewhat isolated. Came in to find a 2 door hatchback (tuner look) backed into a tree so as to obscure the license plate and the front plate missing. Please understand I've done repossessions off and on for decades. I can spot someone is trying to hide a car so my suspicions have some credibility. Shortly after starting my route I see a cruiser sitting in a honey hole and pull over to talk to the officer. Got a polite, even cheerful, brush off. Of course, he had no way of knowing I spent decades retailing automobiles or he may not have tried to bullshit a professional bullshitter. My conclusion he is of the revenue generating subset of police and not a peace officer.

Second involves a 0430 ticket my middle son received three months ago. My guess is the officer hoped to catch a drunk and instead stops a totally sober driver returning from a concert in Denver. Said 40 year old driver has a speech impediment, looks like an ax murderer in a slasher movie, and  is driving a hail damaged old beater with an expired license tab. The officer proceeds to issue an 8 point ticket (we don't like your kind in our town) so as to end his shift on a high note and do some social cleansing.

Colorado has recently changed court rules classifying traffic tickets as a "civil matter"; pay the fine and no negotiating. Horseshit. So I stroke a $500 check to a lawyer and Monday a judge dismissed the entire matter as the officer failed to show up for the second time. Why me writing the check? My son has had a hard time keeping steady employment in this Obama economy.

Now $500 isn't a frivolous sum for a retiree like myself. That is new shocks on my Bronco and a new windshield in my Mighty Max. Why? For one, we need to stand up to the bureaucratic bastards or the whole place turns into a St. Louis County. For two, you don't fuck over me and mine with no consequences.

Many LEOs, past and present, are relatives. I steadfastly support Peace Officers, having come to their aid more than one time.  I'm less supportive of "Police" and even less of revenue generators. Most of my relative are of the Peace Officer persuasion. One, however, was so rank he was fired from the Los Angeles Police Department in the early 1970's. Those who know the history of that department know getting fired in that era was rare.

This isn't bashing law enforcement. They do a difficult job that I couldn't do in my younger years. As citizens, we need to support them when they deserve it, and hold them accountable when they don't. The latter is neither pleasant or inexpensive. I do it because it is my grumpy asshole way. YMMV

Feel Good Story

https://www.facebook.com/ilike9news/videos/10153134484376077/?fref=nf

ADDENDUM

http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/05/19/man-who-gave-son-of-fallen-deputy-his-dads-car-always-felt-the-need-to-give-back/

Good Cop, Bad Cop

“We don’t have time for this” was allegedly said by a North Carolina policeman as he shot a small 18 year old man suffering from schizophrenia while the man was under restraint by two other officers.

http://triadnc.twcnews.com/content/news/coastal/703279/boiling-spring-lakes-father-says-18-year-old-son-shot--killed-by-officer

A good posting with numerous remarks (including mine) is by Guffaw in AZ.

http://armedlaughing.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/we-dont-have-time-for-this/

As is the norm, not all the facts are available, but jumping to conclusions has never been slowed by mere absence of facts. Hopefully, the authorities there will do their due diligence and follow through with appropriate actions.

I contrast this with a personal experience in 1985 in Renton, WA involving my oldest son. He is a high functioning autistic man, about 5’4”, 110 lbs., with an awkward gait. Mentally challenged people are still people, with all the emotional components all people have. In his case, he was in the normal teenager rebellion phase including flirting with drugs. A pusher had him convinced my son owed him money. When his mother refused to give him the money my son demanded, my son decided to rob a local bar.

His weapon of choice was a 1” diameter twig about 3’ long. He brandished the twig and demanded money. The bartender called the police. When the police arrived at the back door, he saw them, screamed, and charged them waving his “weapon”. They grabbed him, subdued him, and took him to jail. I was called to come down.

When I arrived, he was sitting in the lobby with the two officers. My son ran to me, and wrapped his arms around me. Both officers were nervous as they explained what happened. My son was scuffed up with scrapes on his hands and face. I guess the officers were concerned I might go off on them. Instead, I thanked them for their restraint and professionalism. They could have shot him, and been justified in doing so. I was able to take him home with no charges.

I would like to think what happened to my son is the norm in this country; that most police officers would have done the same. I am disturbed by what I see as a trend, “I am going home safe to my family”, regardless. As I have mention before, I have enough past and present LEO relatives to staff a small police department. Of all of them, only one comes to mind who would do what the officer involved in this shooting allegedly did. That relative is a complete asshole, to the point he was kicked off the LAPD back in the day when you had to be really rank to get booted.

Becoming a police officer means you have voluntarily taken a high risk job. If you don’t want the risk, don’t take the job! A certain amount of bruises and injuries are part of the job. Restraining people who don’t want to be restrained is part of the job. Again, if you don’t accept the risks, don’t take the job!

I think of my youngest son who is an Army Healthcare Specialist, aka a combat medic with a downrange deployment. His scores were high enough he could have had any training the service offers. He knowingly took on a high risk job. There have been some negative personal consequences as a result of that decision. He doesn’t bitch about it, just drives on. (Do I need to mention I am immensely proud of him?)

I’ve seen on other blogs and posting words to the effect, “If you don’t obey the laws that protect us from you, don’t be surprised if we ignore the laws that protect you from us,” in relation to the police and the public. I would add, it is your profession, and the primary burden to keep it honest and honorable is on you. No “yeah, buts”, be that officer the public wants to admire and respect.  

Not So Bright Drivers

Yo, dummy! It is the 4th of July. Heavy police presence. Reader Boards reading, "DUI Enforcement. The Heat Is On". Informal bets among the officers as to who writes the most citations. Day by day desk warriors pissed of to be back in a Patrol car for the holiday.  Not a good time to draw attention to yourself. Speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic just draws attention to you. Even hardcore scofflaws like myself know it is time to chill.

Went to a family gathering today; about a 70 mile round trip. Light traffic moving along just over the speed limit. Knuckleheads everywhere. Po po everywhere issuing good citizen citations. Bubba, if you got a ticket today your earned it. Doesn't matter if you are stone sober, you did something to draw attention to yourself.

Lots of political discussions today. Think most of us believed this is appropriate,

Denver Police Department - Two Tone Deaf Cops

When you are in the public eye, you are always setting an example; good, bad, or indifferent.

Sunday A.M. I am going from Eastbound I-70 onto Pena Blvd towards DIA. Pena is four lanes and I am in the left lane.  In the mirror I see a police car coming up behind me,  fast. Move over to the right lane (with a quick look at my speedometer). He passes, and another cruiser is behind him. Both solo cars. Neither with lights or sirens on. They exit at East 56th Ave and head Eastbound towards Tower Blvd and MacDonald's.

Now it is possible they were responding to a disturbance, at 6:45 A.M.,  on Sunday, at a MacDonald's. Or, it is possible, they left the District 5 roll call, went on patrol, and stopped for breakfast. And were speeding, 10 to 15 miles over the limit, because they can. Which is arrogant, and contemptuous towards the general public.

So why do I give a shit? Damned if I know; it just pissed me off.

Bad Drivers Rant

Police officers going ballistic should be excused when drivers with their head up their asses are involved. This morning, for instance.

Intersection of North Washington and 132nd Ave, Thornton, CO. has four lanes in all directions. First Thornton police car, emergency lights on, spotlights on, high beams on, and siren on turns West on 132nd from Northbound Washington. The light was green for Washington.  Second police car, same configuration as the first, come to the intersection with a green for 132nd. He stopped, and several Eastbound on 132nd vehicles pass in front of him/her. These fools had just been passed by the first police car going West. Yah thunk they might have got a clue? Finally, cars stopped.  Soon after, a third police car came Northbound on Washington. By this time I had cleared the intersection so didn’t see what happened.

Somehow, I don’t think they were rolling to do a backup on a Wal-Mart shoplifter.

Damn drivers lost in their little world, sound systems, and cell phones, focused three car lengths ahead, are dangerous.

Were I the officer in car #2, I would be looking at my video for license plates, and then hunt the miserable  s.o.b.’s down.

Quiet Sunday in My Hood

Hostage situation two blocks away. SWAT, flash bangs, loud speakers, HAZMAT team and every off duty LEO in the area present to punch the overtime ticket. Film at eleven?

Unfortunate family trying to unload a truck one block away. Looks like they are moving in. Probably not the Welcome Wagon they were expecting.

A Cop Created

This is dedicated to the late Duane Laeger, Weld County Colorado Deputy, Chief of Police, Platteville, Colorado and all my PEACE OFFICER kinfolk. Received this as an email.

A Cop Created

When the Lord was creating peace officers, He was into His sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the spec on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform."
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day."
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck." The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop...and still keeps its sense of humor."
"This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crimes scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear." What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.

Anonymous

MYOB????

Westbound on I 76 overtaking a car hauler with a huge cloud of white smoke coming from the right rear of his trailer. Pull along side the truck and try to attract the drivers attention. He is on a cell phone. He ignores me.
*CSP - hit Send.

"Colorado State Patrol, how may we help you"?

"Calling to report a truck going Westbound on I-76 at Mile Marker 36 with a lot of smoke coming from the right rear of the trailer. The truck is a blue car hauler with a sleeper cab."

"What is a car hauler."

"An automobile transport truck."

"Have you tried to attract the driver's attention"?

"Yes, he didn't pay any attention to me; he is on a cell phone."

INSERT Dispatcher gets my name and number.

"Well, what do you want us to do about it"? !!!!!!!!

"How about you dispatch your guys with the blue and red lights; bet they can get his attention. Hell, he will be in Hudson in two minutes. Call Hudson PD."

HANG UP and start cussing.

Maybe my friends and family are right. Maybe I need Anger Management Classes.

Nothing to see here? Just a brake and/or axle fire directly below a gasoline powered vehicle's fuel tank. Said vehicle is sitting on perforated steel ramps. What could go wrong?

Pesky citizen should just mind his own business.

Most Police Officers Are OK

Watching the video of Officer Matt Lyons, Oceanside PD, handling “Jeremey” made me appreciate once again how skillful most officers are at dealing with tense situations, including one involving me.

http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/2011/07/police-officer-meets-armed-citizen.html

My employer had me running off site car sales around Colorado. We did sixty or so in many different locations. The permit requirements were different in every municipality. The local dealers hated us and would try to sabotage our sales.

In one town where we had already held a sale, I overlooked one minor permit. Towards the end of our first day, a police officer pulled up and told us to shut the sale down; we were operating illegally. My first assumption was some dealer had put him up to shutting us down. I was hot. My boss had $35,000 spent to hold the sale. My six man crew was paid on sales only. Getting shut down was a huge personal, financial, and professional disaster.

The officer kept his cool. He also stayed back about six feet from me. The five minute conversation was quite animated on my part. He stayed cool but never backed down. I shut the sale down. Two of my crew thought I was going to jail.

This officer had courage. He was a lot smaller than me. He was alone and there were seven of us. He didn’t call for backup, reach for his pepper spray, or put his hand near his handgun.

Our corporate lawyer came up that night and we went to City Hall the next morning. One $50 check for the permit and we were good to go. Seems the clerk was behind the shut down. Seems her brother was a car dealer. We stopped downstairs at the police department and did a little apologizing, etc.

My budget took a huge hit for the lawyer’s fee but it could have been much worse had the officer involved been as much a hot head as me. This was truly a case where the officer was much better than the citizen. I believe the majority of police/citizen events go down like this.

I’ve had a few encounters over the years that involved “badge happy” officers making the law instead of enforcing it. That is why we have courts. This officer was more of a “peace officer” than a policeman. We need more peace officer and fewer policemen who look like Army Rangers or Marine Recons.

Work tomorrow. Delta to Florida by way of Atlanta. I’m just quivering with anticipation. Ugh!

A Puke and His Family

This is a blog I didn’t intend to write. The subject keeps bothering me.

Briefly, a young puke, long history of lawlessness, got chased down by multiple police agencies. In the struggle to arrest him, one officer lost his weapon to the puke who was able to fire three shots. The officer died. Another officer then shot the puke. Puke later died in the hospital.

The puke’s family now wants to be paid and/or apologized to, and they want the officers involved fired. My anger knows no bounds.

Here are links, mainly to the Greeley Tribune:

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2010101129991

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2010712219987

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2011702089938

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/2011702109987

http://www.fortmorgantimes.com/ci_16742839?IADID=Search-www.fortmorgantimes.com-www.fortmorgantimes.com

What a slap in the face to all the LEO’s involved. I hope somebody goes after the family of this puke. I do understand their mindset. I have shirttail relatives that are criminals. I only see them at funerals. They thinks if they don’t get caught, what they do is ok. If they do get caught, the police are picking on them.

GoPed Madness

"Prevent Crime and Maintain Peace" are the words on police vehicles in our town. Yesterday, the Police Department was having a ceremony at a picnic pavilion in the main park. The Chief, Mayor, Ward Leaders, etc. were in attendance along with the honorees and their families.

A young man, of my acquaintance, chose that moment to drive through the parking lot on his newly acquired 2 cycle, unmuffled, gas powered noise making GoPed. Lovely toy; you can hear it two blocks away.

Very quickly the GoPed rider was involved in conversation with one of the officers not attending the function. Rather, his patrol area included the park and surroundings.

My friend was allowed to push his machine the two blocks to his home. Promises were made as to the consequences should he be found riding the machine on city streets.

Our town is around 33,000 residences and twenty square miles. We have an excellent police department overall. Noise ordinances are enforced, especially car sound systems. My friend is very lucky to not be cited.

To bad the police can't shove.........

Meaningless Post - Amusement Only

My friend, Dirty Al, once lived in a large apartment building in a Tacoma, WA, declining neighborhood. The busy street in front had a large, rowdy nightclub which was frequently visited by the police. Down the street was a large AA meeting room (where Al trolled for women).

Al, being a former bail bondsman and repossession agent, claimed a trained observer could tell which residents in the apartment building had outstanding warrants by whose shades remained drawn when police activity happened at the nightclub. Those with nothing to worry about were hanging out their windows watching the drama.

Middle son lives in a similar apartment complex. The attraction, for him, is cheap rent. As I’ve said in past posts, he looks like a character out of a slasher movie, and nobody bothers him.

Recently, I waited for him to get home from work and parked for forty minutes in the lot. I backed into a space with shade and a good view of entrances. What a hoot watching the residents pull in and out! Was I “The PoPo”? The “Hook” (repo man)? Process server? Bondsman? La Migra?
Seemed like one out of three residents were very nervous.

Seems to me, if not for the pesky probable cause requirement, the police should have little problem arresting prior offenders just by observing their behaviors.

Lose Lips Sink Ships

Overheard a group this morning in a small town convenience store coffee bar area. They were discussing many subjects and all of us in the seating area could clearly hear their conversations. One person seemed to be in law enforcement or an allied field. This person was explaining, in great detail, the local gang situation to include gang names, the areas they claimed as turf, the type of crimes they are committing, etc. Sensitive information; not public knowledge.

The group may well have a need to know this information but I, and the other coffee drinkers, have no need to know. There was enough detail being discussed to provide useful information to the criminals being discussed. My inclination was to go over to the person talking and say, "STFU".

What I did do was take a cell phone picture of the talker. This will be sent to a relative who holds a LEO supervisory position in that county. I imagine someone will receive some intense counseling next week.

Careful, Please

Recently encountered Officer Sweetheart (12/10/09 Compounding Irritation) and she gave me a nice friendly hello and a strong hug. Nice to see her but..........

Lady officers, please consider this. Your vest and gear has blunt edges. Giving someone a strong hug can leave a long lasting impression.

Petty-Mindedness

Is it wrong to enjoy the sight of a jerk being pulled over by the police?

Returning home last night after a nice supper, featuring pronghorn meat, with my sister and her well cared for dogs, I shared the road with a jerk.

This road is a four lane rural highway with several small towns. The speed limits in the towns are reasonable but slower than the open road. Said speed limits are diligently enforced. A small SUV was speeding through the towns then slowing way down on the open highway. He was driving with his high beams on. Not a good idea on what is known as DUI alley. In the third small town he ignored the 50 mph limit by ten or more and was caught.

Probably doesn't say much good about my character but, carefully passing the Crown Vic and SUV in the inside lane, I couldn't stop grinning.