Police News Roundup

Base10 has been getting away from police news roundup lately and concentrating more on national political and tech news. Base10 has found that trying to do it every day is too time consuming to do right, but would like to keep it up as a weekly survey of juicy issues. Like these:

ABC News reports that federal authorities have received credible evidence that al Qaeda is planning to strike New York City in the next few months possibly using suicide truck bombs and possibly targetting financial institutions and/or international organizations. The frightening thing about this item is the reported capture of a Pakistani woman trying to sneak over the Mexican border with $7000 in cash, a fraudulent passport and an airline ticket to New York.

It is satisfying to know that the Police Department can catch bombers that are on the payroll. Former Police Officer Joseph Rodriguez was arraigned on charges that he set an explosive device off in the Times Square subway station two weeks ago. Rodriguez who was involunarily retired from the NYPD for psychiatric reasons, was purportedly warning people away from a backpack when it exploded causing Rodriguez minor injuries.

Meanwhile in labor talks, the unions are obviously adopting some new tactics. This week, a group of officers descended on City Hall demanding to have a meeting with the mayor to discuss the current contract situation. It is good that the unions are adopting some media friendly, in-your-face tactics like this--they always seem to work for the Teachers Union. The mayor of course declined to talk saying that labor policy should not be set in this manner. Maybe so, but labor policy should not be set by arbitrary pattern bargaining, either. Also, an unsigned letter was found circulating in the precincts suggesting that members call in sick during the Republican National Convention. While the PBA has denied any involvement in making this "blue flu" contagious, this clearly has to have RNC planners thinking. Perhaps the most disingenuous thing said in this mater was spoken by Police Commissioner Kelly, "We'll have more-than-adequate resources in place for the convention. Our cops are the best in the world. They're doing a great job, and I expect them to live up to their oath of office."

That's a nice thought. Maybe that's why 36 members, including supervisors and those assigned to good details, just resigned to join the Nassau County Police Department and why 1650 unarmed recruits assigned to the Police Academy will be used for security around Madison Square Garden. Commissioner, it is time for you to step up and tell the mayor that the labor situation must change!

While terrorism and labor may be a concern, New Yorkers also have to watch out for wild life(and Base10 is not talking about the club scene). Yesterday afternoon, a Bengal tiger escaped from a circus in Forest Park, Queens and wandered around parts of Glendale, ultimately causing a car accident on the Interboro Parkway. The tiger was eventually captured unharmed and no major injuries were sustained by any humans. Base10 was actually walking by the Park with Mrs. Base10 during the early afternoon, but is happy to report that neither of us were eaten.

The city has decided not to appeal a ruling by a State Human Rights Commissioner allowing two Sikh Traffic Agents to wear their turbans while on duty. This ruling is unprecedented in the United States (but apparantly is allowed in some parts of Canada). Shame on those making this recommendation in the Law Department and the NYPD Legal Bureau.

On Friday, the NYPD promoted 150 members to various ranks. Congratulations!

And finally, in the "Hey, that's a lot of clams!" department, two men were charged in Florida for stealing $41,000 worth of clams from a clam farm (is that the right word?) in Cedar Key, Florida. The men have apparently not made any statements, their lips being sealed tighter that the hindquarters of the bivalves that they filched.

- posted by Base10 @ 2:23 PM